“Orion and the Dark” from DreamWorks and Netflix borrows heavily from Pixar’s successful formula of humanizing the impossible, seen in movies like “Inside Out” and “Toy Story.” However, it doesn’t just copy; it builds upon this template. The film, blending Charlie Kaufman’s storytelling with a touching story of a boy seeking safety, succeeds with its charming characters, engaging dialogue, and positive themes. It’s a delightful surprise among early-year Netflix originals.
“Orion and the Dark” stands out with its unconventional script, even for a family film. Written by the mind behind “Adaptation” and “Being John Malkovich,” it includes references to David Foster Wallace and Saul Bass, giving it an unexpected depth. The film introduces Orion, a fearful elementary school kid, in a clever opening sequence. Directed by Sean Charmatz, making his debut, it showcases Orion’s myriad fears, including bullies, bees, and heights, but his greatest fear is the dark.
One night, despite his parents’ reassurances, Orion encounters the personified Dark, voiced by Paul Walter Hauser. Hauser’s performance adds depth to the character, shifting from outgoing to vulnerable throughout the film. He brings authenticity to the role, making the Dark relatable by portraying his fear of being ignored and unneeded. In contrast, the Light (voiced by Ike Barinholtz) is depicted as the heroic counterpart to the brooding Dark, akin to Superman compared to Batman.
The Dark takes Orion on a journey around the world to show him how night works, introducing him to characters like Sweet Dreams, Sleep, Unexplained Noises, Insomnia, and Quiet. This part of the film resembles “Inside Out” in how these elements collaborate, but “Orion and the Dark” maintains its unique identity instead of feeling like a copy.
“Orion and the Dark” cleverly incorporates a story within a story, revealing an adult version of Orion telling his experience with the Dark to his daughter. Is it a made-up tale to ease her fear of the dark, or did it actually happen? The film skillfully navigates this ambiguity, adding a touch of surrealism without losing its emotional core.
The movie has too many scenes of Orion and Dark moving quickly across the screen, and some music choices didn’t fit well. Also, there are too many ideas, especially when Dark has his own emotional journey and both Orion and his future daughter become heroes. It feels like there’s enough material for a whole TV season squeezed into one movie. But then again, it’s rare to find a new cartoon with so much packed into it, except maybe a Pixar film.
| Positive Aspects | Negative Aspects |
|---|---|
| – Humanizes the impossible, akin to Pixar films | – Overabundance of ideas and subplots |
| – Engaging dialogue and charming characters | – Excessive scenes of characters moving quickly |
| – Blends storytelling of Charlie Kaufman | – Some music choices feel out of place |
| – Touching story of a boy seeking safety | – Feels like a TV season crammed into a movie |
| – Unexpected depth with references to Wallace | |
| – Paul Walter Hauser’s authentic portrayal of Dark | |
| – Unique incorporation of a story within a story |
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