Zoey Deutch and Jesse Eisenberg Explain Why the ‘Minions’ Resonate Across Generations

Published 06/29/2026, 12:53 AM EDT

Credits: Illumination/Universal Pictures

Zoey Deutch and Jesse Eisenberg believe the enduring popularity of the Minions comes down to something much simpler than slapstick comedy. While promoting Minions & Monsters, the duo reflected on how the beloved yellow characters transcend language and connect with audiences of all ages through visual storytelling and universal humor.

As the conversation unfolded, Deutch and Eisenberg moved beyond discussing their roles to reflect on the franchise's enduring popularity. Both pointed to qualities they believe have helped the Minions resonate with audiences across cultures and generations

So, what do the film's stars think makes the Minions so timeless?

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Zoey Deutch says Minionese is part of the franchise's universal appeal. When asked by Extra why audiences continue to embrace the Minions, Zoey Deutch pointed to the franchise's made-up language as one of its greatest strengths. She argued that the characters' unique way of communicating has helped them connect with audiences across cultures despite speaking a language that no one actually understands.

"I think they are adorable and ridiculous," she said, before praising the idea of creating "a language that no one understands but yet everybody... understands." She added that the concept creates "such a unifying global experience for a film," calling it "brilliant beyond comprehension."

During the same conversation with Extra, Deutch also demonstrated some of the Minionese she has picked up while promoting the film. In a separate interview with The AU Review, she expanded on that playful side of the franchise, revealing that she knows "Bello," meaning "hello," and "banana." She joked that greeting someone and saying she is hungry are the two most important phrases to know in any language.

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For Jesse Eisenberg, however, the appeal of the franchise extends well beyond its playful vocabulary.

Jesse Eisenberg says the Minions succeed because they transcend language

Building on Zoey Deutch's comments during the Extra interview, Jesse Eisenberg offered his own explanation for the franchise's enduring appeal. He compared the Minions to the great silent-film era, arguing that their stories rely on visual emotion rather than dialogue.

"It has the appeal of a silent film where it seems like it's for anybody...**It hits us on a visceral level rather than purely mental,"he explained.

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In a separate conversation with The AU Review, Eisenberg expanded on that idea, saying Minions & Monsters also serves as a celebration of early Hollywood and the magic of filmmaking. Reflecting on watching the film with his child, he said he appreciated how it introduces younger audiences to pioneers such as Buster Keaton while honoring the creativity and physical risks that defined silent cinema.

Together, their reflections suggest that the Minions have remained relevant not simply because of their comedy, but because they communicate through expressions, movement and emotion that audiences everywhere can understand. In a franchise built around characters who barely speak a recognizable language, that universal connection may be its greatest strength.

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Do you have a favorite Minions movie or character? Let us know in the comments!

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Aarav Poonia

170 articles

Aarav Poonia is an Entertainment Writer at Netflix Junkie, covering films and series across Hollywood, and global cinema. With a Bachelor’s degree in Filmmaking, specializing in Direction and Screenplay Writing, he brings a strong understanding of storytelling and screen craft to his work. His experience includes writing film reviews, industry updates, and editorial features, alongside developing multiple short fiction screenplays.

Edited By: Aliza Siddiqui

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