Orion and the Dark movie review

MOVIE TITLE: Orion and the Dark

This family-friendly animation premieres exclusively on Netflix on February 2, 2024.

RATING: TV-Y7

LENGTH: 1 hour 32 minutes

Movie Review Mom GRADE: B-

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.

THEMES:

Fear
Anxiety
Accepting and being comfortable with the unknown
Embrace the joy of living

FUNNY LINES:

“You are aware of the concept of fun, are you not?” – Dark (Paul Walter Hauser)

INTERESTING LINES:

“But that’s the thing. It’s okay to be nervous. More than okay, in fact. It’s normal. The trick is not to let your fear get in the way of living your life.” – Mom
“Sometimes, you have to feel the fear and do it anyways.” – Mom
“So much of how you see yourself is through the eyes of others.” – Dark (Paul Walter Hauser)