When Pixar released Ratatouille in 2007, audiences fell in love with Remy, the rat with a refined palate and a dream of becoming a chef in Paris. Yet standing right beside him is his foil, Emile, his larger, food-obsessed older brother. While Remy obsesses over flavor combinations, aroma profiles, and hygiene, Emile represents pure, unadulterated appetite. He doesn't care what he eats, as long as there is plenty of it.
Understanding Emile requires looking beyond his role as the comic relief. He functions as Remy's anchor to family and rat culture, a character who highlights Remy's unique artistic alienation. Without Emile, Remy’s internal conflict—choosing between the safety of his colony and the high-stakes pressure of human haute cuisine—lacks a grounding counterweight.
Who Is Emile?
Emile is a plump, brown-furred rat with an insatiable appetite. Voiced by animator and filmmaker Peter Sohn, Emile provides a distinct vocal texture that matches his physical design. Director Brad Bird famously kept Sohn eating while recording voice lines—often using licorice like Twizzlers or Red Vines—to give Emile that perpetually full-mouthed, casual delivery.
Unlike Remy, who sniffs out fine cheese and refuses to eat garbage, Emile views food purely through a quantitative lens. He eats trash, discarded scraps, and stolen blocks of cheese with equal enthusiasm. His name itself is a subtle linguistic nod: pronounced phonetically, Emile sounds like "a meal", emphasizing his entire character philosophy.
The Dynamic Between Remy and Emile
The relationship between the two brothers drives much of the film's emotional core regarding belonging. Remy is an outcast within his own family. His sensitive nose and refusal to walk the conventional path alienate him from his pragmatic father, Django.
Emile, however, loves Remy unconditionally, even if he doesn't understand him. He doesn't judge Remy's strange culinary ambitions; he just wants his brother to be happy and fed. When Remy introduces Emile to fine food—such as combining cheese with a strawberry—Emile experiences a moment of genuine culinary awakening. He doesn't analyze the flavor notes like Remy does, but he appreciates the joy of the combination.
- Acceptance: Emile never mocks Remy for wanting to cook, acting instead as a safe listener.
- Secrecy: Emile keeps Remy’s secret stash and his visits to Gusteau's restaurant hidden from their father for as long as he can.
- Loyalty: When the colony faces danger or crisis, Emile is quick to support his brother, eventually joining him at the new bistro, La Ratatouille.
Voice Acting and Production Detail
Peter Sohn's performance brings an endearing innocence to Emile. At the time of production, Sohn was primarily working as a story artist at Pixar. His distinct vocal cadence caught the attention of the directors, leading to one of the most memorable voice matching assignments in animation history.
To achieve the authentic sound of a rat constantly chewing or talking with food in his cheeks, Sohn's recording sessions involved actual snacks. This physical commitment translated into the animation, where Emile's cheeks are frequently stuffed to capacity, reinforcing his visual silhouette as a heavy, rounded contrast to Remy's sleek, agile frame.
Common Misconceptions About Emile
Many viewers misinterpret Emile's role or family status based on casual lines in the script. Here are a few clarifications regarding his character:
- Birth Order: While official supplementary books and early promotional materials occasionally listed Emile as the younger brother, the film text contradicts this. During the car rescue scene, Emile explicitly refers to Remy as "little brother", confirming his status as the older sibling.
- Intelligence: Emile is often viewed as unintelligent because of his gluttony, but he is actually quite observant. He understands complex social dynamics within the clan and is smart enough to navigate human environments when necessary.
- Culinary Capacity: While Emile prefers quantity, he is capable of tasting quality when Remy forces him to slow down. His palate is undeveloped, not entirely broken.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Emile older or younger than Remy?
Emile is Remy's older brother. Even though some early books suggested otherwise, the movie dialogue confirms he is the older sibling.
Who voices Emile in Ratatouille?
Emile is voiced by Peter Sohn, a well-known Pixar animator, director, and voice actor who also directed the Pixar film Good Dinosaur and Elemental.
Why does Emile eat so much?
Eating is Emile's primary hobby and coping mechanism. Unlike Remy, who views food as art and expression, Emile views food as comfort and survival without restriction.
Does Emile appear in any other Pixar media?
Yes. Aside from the main feature film, Emile stars alongside Remy in the animated short Your Friend the Rat and makes appearances in Disney park attractions and video games like Disney Dreamlight Valley.
Where can I learn more about the production of Ratatouille?
You can explore behind-the-scenes details and artist profiles directly on the Pixar Official Website or read broader animation retrospectives on Animation Magazine.
