X
- 2024
- TV-Y7
- Netflix
- 1 h 33 m
- 2024
- TV-Y7
- Netflix
- 1 h 33 m
Summary Orion (voiced by Jacob Tremblay) seems a lot like your average elementary school kid–shy, unassuming, harboring a secret crush. But underneath his seemingly normal exterior, Orion is a ball of adolescent anxiety, consumed by irrational fears of bees, dogs, the ocean, cell phone waves, murderous gutter clowns, and even falling off of a cl...
Directed By: Sean Charmatz
Written By: Charlie Kaufman, Emma Yarlett, Lloyd Taylor, Brandon Sawyer
- 2024
- TV-Y7
- Netflix
- 1 h 33 m
- 2024
- TV-Y7
- Netflix
- 1 h 33 m
Orion and the Dark
72
6.6
Where to Watch
Summary Orion (voiced by Jacob Tremblay) seems a lot like your average elementary school kid–shy, unassuming, harboring a secret crush. But underneath his seemingly normal exterior, Orion is a ball of adolescent anxiety, consumed by irrational fears of bees, dogs, the ocean, cell phone waves, murderous gutter clowns, and even falling off of a cl...
Directed By: Sean Charmatz
Written By: Charlie Kaufman, Emma Yarlett, Lloyd Taylor, Brandon Sawyer
Where to Watch
Top Cast
Metascore
Generally Favorable
Based on 23 Critic Reviews
72
74% Positive
17 Reviews
17 Reviews
22% Mixed
5 Reviews
5 Reviews
4% Negative
1 Review
1 Review
Metascore
Generally Favorable
Based on 23 Critic Reviews
72
74% Positive
17 Reviews
17 Reviews
22% Mixed
5 Reviews
5 Reviews
4% Negative
1 Review
1 Review
The movie is silly and fun enough to enchant younger audiences, not to mention impart life-balance lessons that kids from 8 to 80 ought to know.
Brought to life with a smooth and almost restrained kind of animation – all rounded edges and frames designed to breathe, rather than hyperactively cram in as much action as possible – and paced with a confident speed, Orion and the Dark will charm and entrance.
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 38 User Ratings
6.6
61% Positive
23 Ratings
23 Ratings
32% Mixed
12 Ratings
12 Ratings
8% Negative
3 Ratings
3 Ratings
User Score
Generally Favorable
Based on 38 User Ratings
6.6
61% Positive
23 Ratings
23 Ratings
32% Mixed
12 Ratings
12 Ratings
8% Negative
3 Ratings
3 Ratings
It was time for DreamWorks to make a film that resonates with both audiences: children and adults. Inspired by a children's book, it addresses the topic of childhood fears with an intelligent tone and humor. It's only February and it is already one of the best bets of the year, in animated cinema.
Report
Orion And The Dark
Sean Charmatz (in his feature directorial debut) delivers a fantasy adventure animation based on the 2014 book of the same name. Orion And The Dark tells the story of Orion, a young boy who grapples with various fears, the foremost being the darkness. Personified, the dark pays Orion a visit, extending an invitation for a journey to confront his fears head-on.
Littered with metaphors and meaning, Orion And The Dark embodies a journey of self-discovery and confronting one's fears. Storytelling is an important piece here and is done absolutely well. Additionally, the plot is brightened with fun revelations and twists.
The relationship between the lead characters is special and explored beautifully. The complex supporting characters also help this layered tale.
The animation showcased in this film is outstanding, with a visually immersive and stunning world, particularly during the night scenes.
While occasionally nonlinear and featuring a conclusion that may pose some confusion, this animation has broad appeal and serves as an excellent choice for family entertainment.
8/10
Report
This is a clever, all-ages charmer.
What starts out as a sweet fairy tale turns into a metatextual romp that spirals in and out of itself, and gets deeply weird and weirdly deep. Sean Charmatz’s debut animated feature is an odd little gem that defies expectations.
So, while “Orion and the Dark” is on one hand a fun and briskly paced fantasy-adventure, it also functions nicely as a smart, thoughtful and often trippy exploration of existential dread.
Boasts the idiosyncratic anxiety, depression, and angst of its author’s work and the bouncy tone and matching visual style of every other recent cinematic kid’s fable—two flavors that, it turns out, don’t really go well together.
Orion and the Dark is about fear and overcoming it but this movie directed by Sean Charmatz has too much junk clogging up the vision.
IN A NUTSHELL:
The story is about a young boy named Orion, who is afraid of everything, especially the dark. When “Darkness” is embodied, the personage takes Orion on a journey of discovery to face his fears.
The movie was directed by Sean Charmatz. Writing credits go to Charlie Kaufmaan, Lloyd Taylor, and Emma Yarlett.
THINGS I LIKED:
Adorable Jacob Tremblay voices Orion.
The rest of the characters are voice by talented actors like Angela Bassett, Colin Hanks, Paul Walter Hauser, Nat Faxon, Carla Gugino, Ike Barinholtz, Werner Herzog, and many more.
The production companies involved in the project were DreamWorks Animation and Mikros Animation, which explains why the animation is so adorable. I love all of the details.
A lot of young kids and their Millennial parents will be able to relate to the main character who has a lot of anxiety.
There is a lot of humor, both visual and spoken.
It’s funny to watch the character “Sleep” put people to sleep in various, often alarming, ways that always ends with a cute kiss.
A little girl’s name is Hypatia, which means “highest” or “supreme.” Hypatia was a real woman who was the leader of the Neoplatonist school of philosophy in Alexandria.
Keep watching during the final rolling credits to see some more animation done in the style of a child’s drawings.
THINGS I DIDN’T LIKE:
A few of the elementary school children have extremely mature vocabulary and insights.
The little boy whines and complains the entire time. One of the characters even calls him “judgy.” The characters that are enjoyable are the night creatures.
It takes 40 minutes before we hear any music.
The movie has a bit of a one-note theme: overcoming fear.
I quickly became bored and looked at my watch.
There is a time/space continuum that doesn’t make very much sense.
TIPS FOR PARENTS:
Some “light” profanity like “OMG”.
People and characters are in perilous situations.
Report
A solid entry into DreamWork's catalog. The story, much like the animation design, is simple but charming. The voice acting is excellent from all involved. The characters are endearing. It's surprisingly mature for it's target audience at times, although the ending goes into childish territory in certain moments. There are a few surprises here and there, which mostly work.
It might not be as amazing as Puss In Boots: The Last Wish but there's much worse animations you could spend 1 and a half hours watching. Overall : 7.3 / 10
Report
Pimp my movies for this one. It's good for night, but useless for daytime movie watching. Dreamworks should work on this one.
Report
Gosto muito da DreamWorks, mas esse filme me deixou chateado, tem ótimos personagens e efeitos visuais e só isso mesmo.
Report
Great animation and voice acting, story is simple and sweet, just wasn't really feeling the obvious Inside Out ripoff story.
Report
