: Both Joe Gardner and the audience initially believe the "spark" is a person's life purpose or talent (like Joe’s jazz piano playing).
: The film eventually reveals that the spark is not a career or a singular goal, but simply the desire to live and appreciate the small, everyday moments of the human experience. Creative Insights & Development Soul (2020)
: The film utilizes two distinct musical styles to represent different worlds: : Both Joe Gardner and the audience initially
: Ethereal, ambient electronic score by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross. Key Philosophical Symbols Four Life Lessons from Soul (2020 Movie) Soul (2020)
: Grounded, soulful jazz composed by Jon Batiste.
: The film's protagonist was almost a scientist before Pixar decided music had a more universal "rhythm of meaning".