Orion and the Dark is a 2024 American animated fantasy adventure comedy film produced by DreamWorks Animation, animated by Mikros Animation, and distributed by Netflix. It was directed by Sean Charmatz (in his feature directorial debut) and written by Charlie Kaufman, based on the children’s book of the same name by Emma Yarlett. The film stars the voices of Jacob Tremblay, Paul Walter Hauser, Angela Bassett, Colin Hanks, Natasia Demetriou, Golda Rosheuvel, Nat Faxon, Ike Barinholtz, Aparna Nancherla, Mia Akemi Brown, Shannon Chan-Kent, Shino Nakamichi, Ren Hanami, Matt Dellapina, and Carla Gugino. Robert Lydecker and Kevin Lax composed the film’s musical score.
Orion and the Dark premiered at the TUDUM Theater in Los Angeles on January 27, 2024, and was released on Netflix on February 2. The film has received positive reviews from critics.
- Directed by: Sean Charmatz
- Written by: Charlie Kaufman
- Based on: “Orion and The Dark” by Emma Yarlett
- Produced by: Peter McCown
- Starring: Jacob Tremblay, Paul Walter Hauser, Angela Bassett, Colin Hanks, Natasia Demetriou, Nat Faxon, Ike Barinholtz, Carla Gugino
- Edited by: Kevin Sukho Lee
- Music by: Robert Lydecker, Kevin Lax
- Production Company: DreamWorks Animation
- Distributed by: Netflix
- Release date: February 2, 2024 (United States)
- Running time: 93 minutes
- Country: United States
- Language: English
Storyline:
Orion, a young elementary school boy, is plagued by a myriad of anxieties and irrational fears, including bullies, the ocean, and even falling off tall buildings. However, his greatest fear is the Dark, which he confronts nightly. One evening, during a blackout, Orion’s fear materializes before him. The Dark, tired of Orion’s complaints, offers to help him conquer his fears by revealing the benefits of darkness.
As they journey together, Dark introduces Orion to his companions, including Sleep, Insomnia, Quiet, Unexplained Noises, and Sweet Dreams. Initially hesitant, they allow Orion to witness their work. But Orion’s anxiety causes disruptions, leading to chaos. Despite this, Orion and Dark develop a friendship. However, when Orion expresses a preference for Light, Dark feels rejected and abandoned.
Feeling guilty, Orion pleads with Dark to move before being disintegrated by Light. Dark disappears, leaving Orion alone on a mountain. Years later, an adult Orion tells the story to his daughter, Hypatia, to help her with her fears. Hypatia suggests a different ending, leading to a journey to bring back Dark.
With Hypatia’s help, Orion enters his subconscious to rescue Dark. Despite setbacks, including a black hole, Orion learns to let go of his fears and saves Dark. The natural order is restored, but Hypatia is stuck in the past. Fortunately, a boy named Tycho arrives to return her home.
As Hypatia finishes the story for her son, the scene cuts back to the beginning, with a young Orion and Sally stargazing on a field trip, bringing the narrative full circle.
Voice cast:
- Jacob Tremblay as Young Orion
- Colin Hanks as Adult Orion
- Paul Walter Hauser as Dark
- Angela Bassett as Sweet Dreams
- Ike Barinholtz as Light
- Natasia Demetriou as Sleep
- Golda Rosheuvel as Unexplained Noises
- Nat Faxon as Insomnia
- Aparna Nancherla as Quiet
- Carla Gugino as Orion’s Mom
- Matt Dellapina as Orion’s Dad
- Mia Akemi Brown as Hypatia
- Shannon Chan-Kent as Adult Hypatia
- Shino Nakamichi as Sally
- Ren Hanami as Adult Sally
- Jack Fisher as Richi Panichi
- Nick Kishiyama as Tycho
- Werner Herzog as the Narrator.
Production:
On June 12, 2023, Netflix and DreamWorks Animation unveiled their collaboration on the film project. Written by Charlie Kaufman, the announcement marked an exciting partnership between the two entities. The debut of select segments occurred at the prestigious Annecy International Animation Film Festival on the same day, generating significant buzz within the industry and among audiences alike.
Among the initial announcements, Jacob Tremblay, Paul Walter Hauser, and Werner Herzog were revealed as integral members of the voice cast, adding further anticipation to the project’s development.
Animation:
Mikros Animation, who previously worked with DreamWorks Animation on Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie, provided the film’s animation in their Paris and Bangalore facilities.
Music:
Kevin Lax and Robert Lydecker, who previously worked on Kung Fu Panda: The Dragon Knight, composed the score.
Release:
The film was released on Netflix on February 2, 2024.
Reception:
On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 88% of 49 critics’ reviews are positive, with an average rating of 7/10. The website’s consensus reads: “An uncommonly ambitious animated film, Orion and the Dark benefits from a Charlie Kaufman screenplay that isn’t afraid to tangle with existential ideas.”[6] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned the film a score of 72 out of 100, based on 22 critics, indicating “generally favorable” reviews.
