Brad Bird's Ray Gunn opens in select theaters on December 4 and arrives on Netflix on December 18. The film premiered on October 10 at the London Film Festival. Bird has described the project as a 30-odd-year passion endeavor.

The animated feature combines science fiction with film noir elements, following private investigator Ray Gunn (voiced by Sam Rockwell) and his one-eyed alien partner Eye-Ra (voiced by Tom Waits) as they investigate a case involving pop star Venus Nova (voiced by Scarlett Johansson). The investigation leads to murder, corruption and other illicit activities within the futuristic city of Metropia.

Bird's previous work includes The Incredibles and Ratatouille, both produced for Pixar. Ray Gunn marks a shift toward a more mature audience, though it retains animated elements such as cartoonish action sequences and a small alien creature resembling a French bulldog that provides moments of levity.

The film's visual design features retro-futuristic architecture, costumes and vehicles. Its aesthetic draws from 1940s noir while incorporating futuristic motifs. Composer Michael Giacchino created a score that evokes 1940s cinema, particularly during dialogue-driven scenes.

Alien characters in Metropia serve as a metaphor for systemic segregation and xenophobia, with certain alien groups restricted from human spaces such as hospitals. The film explores this theme through its world-building, though specific narrative developments related to this metaphor are reserved for later viewing.

The middle portion of the film slows as the detective story unfolds, with some viewers finding the procedural elements predictable. Later sections introduce commentary on the entertainment industry, technology and human nature, though these themes receive limited development beyond surface-level treatment.

The voice cast includes Rockwell as Ray Gunn, Waits as Eye-Ra, Matt Berry as crime lord Slugsy, and supporting roles by Bobby Canavale, Alan Tudyk, Michelle Rodriguez and Kether Donohue. Scarlett Johansson provides vocals for Venus Nova, including three original songs composed by Kimbra, with "Innocent" emerging as the most recognizable track.

Technical aspects such as animation quality, sound design and musical score have been noted for their craftsmanship, particularly when experienced in Dolby theaters. The film's release strategy involves a limited theatrical window followed by streaming availability on Netflix.