Orion and the Dark Story:-
Pixar’s “Inside Out” may quietly hold the title of one of the most influential films of the past decade. The animation powerhouse revisited a similar concept in its Oscar-winning “Soul,” while its former head, John Lasseter, employed it in the more recent Apple film “Luck.” Now, Netflix has entered the fray with its latest animated offering, “Orion and the Dark.” Based on Emma Yarlett’s children’s book of the same name, the film stands out for one notable reason.
Movie Ratings
| Release Date | 2 February 2024 |
| Language | English |
| Genre | Adventure, Animation, Comedy |
| Duration | 1h 30min |
| Cast | Jacob Tremblay, Paul Walter Hauser, Angela Bassett, Colin Hanks, Natasia Demetriou, Nat Faxon, Ike Barinholtz, Carla Gugino, Werner Herzog, Golda Rosheuvelmore… |
| Director | Sean Charmatz |
| Writer | Charlie Kaufman |
| Music | Kevin Lax, Robert Lydecker |
| Producer | Peter McCown |
| Production | DreamWorks Animation, Mikros Animation, Nickelodeon Movies |
| Certificate | U/A |
Written solely by Charlie Kaufman, the esteemed Academy Award-winning screenwriter known for his work on existential classics like “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind” and “Being John Malkovich,” “Orion and the Dark” presents a surprising departure. For Kaufman to lend his talents to a children’s film for DreamWorks is as unexpected as Noah Baumbach’s decision to co-write “Madagascar 3” for the same studio due to his divorce. While “Orion and the Dark” is unquestionably a children’s movie, Kaufman’s distinctive sensibilities remain intact.
In the film, we meet Orion (voiced by Jacob Tremblay), an adolescent boy who harbors fears of almost everything imaginable, including the sun itself. From the fear of heights to the dread of misspelling words in class, Orion’s anxieties are meticulously documented in a personal diary filled with cartoons. Despite being just 11 years old, Orion’s thoughts often drift to profound topics like death and reincarnation. However, his greatest fear remains darkness.
Orion astutely remarks, “Darkness and silence isn’t nothing, it’s something,” highlighting his philosophical approach to fear. When darkness manifests itself in the form of a character named Dark (voiced by Paul Walter Hauser), Orion embarks on an adventure filled with Night Entities like Insomnia and Unexplained Noises, all guided by Dark. The journey promises encounters with Dark’s eternal rival, Light.
With Hauser’s vibrant portrayal and Dark’s Death Eater-like appearance, “Orion and the Dark” presents a unique exploration of fear and the unknown. Kaufman’s trademark neuroses subtly permeate the story, adding depth and complexity to a seemingly simple children’s tale.
Each of these characters takes the time to explain to Orion their nighttime duties, hoping to ease his fears by shedding light on their activities. Insomnia disrupts sleep by inundating minds with incessant thoughts, while Unexplained Noises creates loud banging noises. However, alongside these mischievous Night Entities, there are more benevolent ones like Sweet Dreams and Quiet, who help people drift off peacefully at just the right moment. Dark’s role is to educate Orion about these mystical workings of the night, aiming to alleviate his fears.
The quest is simple enough for young children to enjoy, with enthusiastic voice performances and rudimentary yet engaging animation. Kaufman’s distinctive touches, including having Werner Herzog narrate a few lines and inserting references to David Foster Wallace and Saul Bass, add layers of entertainment for adult audiences. Collaborating with director Sean Charmatz, Kaufman pushes the boundaries of the film’s complexity while still catering to its target audience. The narrative delves into metaphysical territory in the second half, as Dark himself begins to question his existence, and the story alternates between Orion’s present and future.
