Smurfs (2025)

by Linda Kay

Directed by: Chris Miller

Cat Out of the Bag Alert! This review contains some spoilers for this film!

Synopsis: The latest adaptation of the popular comic characters originally created by Belgian artist Peyo finds the Smurfs facing off against Gargamel’s brother Razamel (voiced by JP Karliak) who wants to steal a magic book from Papa Smurf (John Goodman) so he can remove all goodness from the world.

Cartoon Cat: Gargamel (also voiced by JP Karliak) is working in his home with his cat Azrael (voiced by Rachel Butera) when the both of them are suddenly transported to Smurf Village.

Smurfs - Gargamel at home with orange and white cat Azrael

They are excited when they see a helpless Smurf standing alone but this is just a ruse.

Smurfs - Gargamel and orange and white cat Azrael looking at lone Smurf

The pair are captured and asked to reveal where they took the kidnapped Papa Smurf, but having had no part in the abduction they are clueless.

Smurfs - Gargamel with orange and white cat Azrael in cage with Smurfette and No Name

Later when Razamel transports some of the Smurfs to his castle he is surprised when Gargamel and Azrael show up, too. It is very clear that Razamel has no love for his older brother.

Smurfs - wizard Razamel looking at Gargamel on floor with orange and white cat Azrael

As Gargamel walks around the castle he spots a quill pen used by his father. Azrael is quick to jump on the feather and tear it to pieces.

Smurfs - Gargamel looking at quill as orange and white cat Azrael lunges at it

Smurfs - orange and white cat Azrael smiling surrounded by feathers

Razamel tells his intern Joel (voiced by Dan Levy) just how much he detests Gargamel’s cat and asks if there is a way they could help the feline “shed his mortal coil.” Joel tries to comply by hitting Azrael with a telescope while his back is turned, but the wary feline jumps out of the way in time then attacks Joel mercilessly.

Smurfs - orange and white cat Azrael about to be hit by telescope held by intern Joel

Smurfs - orange and white cat Azrael jumping on head of intern Joel

Smurfs - Gargamel and Razamel talking as orange and white cat Azrael attacks intern Joel in background

Still later the wizards are about to start pounding the Smurfs when Smurfette (voiced by Rihanna) and No Name (voiced by James Corden) show up. They are startled when the magic book named Jaunty Grimoire (voiced by Amy Sedaris) starts sneezing and appears from under No Name’s hat where she has been hiding. She asks if there is a cat in the room and Azrael raises his paw.

Smurfs - Gargamel with orange and white cat Azrael on shoulder

Razamel gets control of the book and exits in triumph (albeit awkwardly). He even leaves Gargamel behind and lets his brother know how little he thinks of him, which hurts Gargamel very much.

Smurfs - Gargamel looking sad with sympathetic orange and white cat Azrael on shoulder

At this point Gargamel decides to save the Smurfs from Joel so he can work with them to stop his brother.

Azrael cuts the bonds holding the Smurfs under the smashing machine.

Smurfs - orange and white cat Azrael brandishing claw to cut ropes holding Smurfs

The cat then turns to Gargamel with an idea and Gargamel agrees, turning Azrael into a huge flying lion. “I’m going to need a bigger litter box!” Azrael roars.

Smurfs - Gargamel with orange and white cat Azrael

Smurfs - Gargamel riding orange and white winged lion Azrael

They escape the castle but the spell wears off sending everyone crashing to the ground.

Smurfs - Gargamel lying on ground with orange and white cat Azrael and Smurfs after crashing

Gargamel is the only one who knows where his brother is and agrees to go with them just to watch his brother suffer.

At first Razamel gets the upper hand and even banishes Gargamel and Azrael to a water cooler bottle.

Smurfs - Gargamel with orange and white cat Azrael in car

But in the end the Smurfs win the day and Gargamel makes Razamel apologize to Azrael who doesn’t forgive him.

Gargamel takes his leave from the Smurfs but in a mid-credit section shows up at Razamel’s castle and tells Joel they have unfinished business with the Smurfs.

Smurfs - Gargamel and orange and white cat Azrael leaving Smurfs

Smurfs - Gargamel with hissing Azrael on shoulder

There is also a drawing of Azrael in the end credits.

Smurfs - drawing of orange and white cat Azrael

Azrael was featured on posters for the film as well. This film marks the first time that Azrael was not voiced by Frank Welker who had been doing the cat’s voice since the Hanna Barbera cartoons in the 1980’s.