Despicable Me 4 (2024) brings back the banana-loving chaos, the heartfelt Gru moments, and a new twist on family and villainy. This time, Illumination swings for the fences with bigger laughs, more outrageous gadgets, and a deeper look at what it means to raise a kid in a world full of spies and supervillains.
Plot Summary
Gru and Lucy are now seasoned Anti-Villain League agents raising their three adopted daughters and new baby son, Gru Jr., who is hilariously mischievous and doesn't seem to like his dad. When a new villain duo—Maxime Le Mal and his femme fatale partner Valentina—escape from custody, the family must enter a witness protection program and go undercover in suburbia. But blending in proves harder than stopping world domination, especially when the Minions come along.
Character Analysis
Gru (Steve Carell)
Still juggling his villain instincts with his duties as a dad, Gru faces his toughest challenge yet—bonding with a baby who literally hates him. His dry wit is sharper than ever.
Lucy (Kristen Wiig)
Lucy remains the glue of the family, balancing spy work and emotional support with high-energy chaos. She gets more action scenes this time around.
Gru Jr.
The unexpected star. His hatred for his dad and adorable destructiveness create hilarious havoc and genuine emotional moments.
The Minions
50% mayhem, 50% plot advancement. Their subplot about becoming super-powered thanks to an experiment gone wrong is ridiculous, fun, and surprisingly key to the climax.
Maxime Le Mal & Valentina
The new villains are slick, suave, and old-school Bond-style. Maxime’s transformation ability makes him unpredictable, while Valentina is deadly with a manicure kit.
Themes and Messages
| Theme | Description |
|---|---|
| Family Evolution | The film explores how families grow and change—especially when a new baby flips the dynamic. |
| Identity | Gru struggles with his role: villain, hero, father—and how to be all three at once. |
| Acceptance | Even when Gru Jr. seems to reject him, Gru learns to love and connect through patience and understanding. |
| Redemption | Not every villain stays bad. Not every hero is perfect. The line between both is blurrier than ever. |
Cinematography and Direction
Directed by Chris Renaud, the film is packed with eye-popping visuals. Neon-lit villain lairs contrast with pastel suburban camouflage. The pacing is tight, and the action scenes are delightfully over-the-top, complete with Minion-powered mechs and slapstick-infused chase sequences. There's even a brief parody of *Mission: Impossible* that had audiences laughing out loud.
Performances
Steve Carell: As always, nails the lovable curmudgeon role with perfect comic timing and genuine heart.
Kristen Wiig: Brings warmth and comedy in every scene—her chemistry with Carell is as strong as ever.
Will Ferrell: Voicing Maxime Le Mal, he’s flamboyant, eccentric, and an absolute scene-stealer.
SofÃa Vergara: As Valentina, she’s fierce, fashionable, and delightfully villainous.
Critical Reception
Critics are divided—some say it’s a return to form after the underwhelming *Minions: The Rise of Gru*, while others feel the formula is running thin. But everyone agrees: the emotional beats between Gru and his son add a needed layer of depth, and the Minions still know how to dominate a screen with chaos and charm.
Controversial Opinions
Some viewers feel the franchise should’ve ended with *Despicable Me 3*, calling this one “Minions 4 in disguise.” Others argue that the baby Gru Jr. subplot is manipulative and overused. Still, fans who love the slapstick energy and absurd humor say this is the best since the original.
FAQs
- Is Gru Jr. a supervillain?
No powers, but loads of attitude. He’s more of a wild card than a villain. - Are the Minions still funny?
Absolutely. There’s a hilarious superhero parody arc you won’t forget. - Do the girls (Margo, Edith, Agnes) have big roles?
They’re less central but still get meaningful screen time and development. - Is this movie for kids or adults too?
Both. Adults will enjoy the parodies and parenting jokes; kids will love the chaos. - Is there a post-credit scene?
Yes—and it teases another spinoff. - How’s the animation?
Slick, colorful, and faster-paced than ever. It’s Illumination’s best-looking film yet. - Does Gru go back to villainy?
Not quite, but he taps into his old instincts in clever ways. - Is the villain threatening or comedic?
Maxime is more theatrical than scary, but very effective as an antagonist. - Will there be a Despicable Me 5?
Highly likely, based on this ending and box office projections. - Do you need to watch previous films?
It helps, but they do a good job of recapping the essentials.