In the enchanting realms of Netflix’s animation lineup, a new story emerges where courage is the main theme, and confronting one’s fears is not just metaphorical but a vibrantly magical experience. Charlie Kauffman, the creative mind behind such cinematic masterpieces as ‘Being John Malkovich’ and ‘Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind’, brings to life a tale that soothes children’s bedtime worries while offering adults a trip down memory lane. ‘Orion and the Dark’, adapted from Emma Yarlett’s book of the same name, crafts a world where fear becomes a journey of understanding and transformation.
The story begins with a young boy named Orion, voiced by the talented Jacob Tremblay. He is an 11-year-old who could be any child, anywhere, as he reels off a list of his fears. It isn’t long before Orion’s extensive catalog of anxieties, scribbled in his personal journal, becomes an intimate revelation to the audience. Kauffman and director Sean Charmatz meticulously weave a narrative tapestry that promises depth and complexity with every scene, ensuring that Orion’s inner world is just as vast and captivating as the adventures that lie ahead.
In his most vulnerable state, amidst the shadows of his own bedroom, Orion confronts the embodiment of his greatest fear: the Dark. Voiced by Paul Walter Hauser, Dark arrives cloaked and mysterious, seeming to be just another frightful character of the night. However, it doesn’t take long for Dark to reveal his true sentiment—it pains him to be feared and misunderstood. His philosophic musing, “So much of how you see yourself is through the eyes of others,” tugs at the fabric of self-perception and empathy. Thus begins the narrative odyssey where Dark lures Orion into an expedition to witness the true nature of darkness.
As the duo embarks to cocoon the world in nocturnal hues, the film introduces an assortment of characters that uniquely contribute to the night. Sleep, personified by Natasia Demetriou; Quiet, delivered by Aparna Nancherla; and Sweet Dreams, eloquently voiced by Angela Bassett, form the crew that crafts our nightscape. However, among these somniferous entities, the efforts of Insomnia (Nat Faxon) and Unexplained Noises (Golda Rosheuvel) are equally essential to the balance of twilight encounters.
One might find parallels between ‘Orion and the Dark’ and the celebrated ‘Inside Out’. Both films animate the intangible, humanizing emotions and ideas that elude visualization. Yet, this new tale carves out its path, leading Orion and Dark on a dual quest not just to understand but to conquer their mutual fears. The film delves into Orion’s struggles, from schoolyard bullies to his nervousness about talking to his classmate Sally, and parallels them with Dark’s apprehension about being forever overshadowed by Light (Ike Barinholtz) and possibly abandoned by his nocturnal companions.
Kauffman, with his typical nuanced sensibility, threads complex emotions through the narrative fabric, steering clear of the instant gratification and superficial resolutions synonymous with some animated features. His protagonists resonate with authenticity, maintaining an engaging presence throughout the film. The writer even dares to navigate between future and past, as an adult Orion narrates this tale to his daughter (Mia Akemi Brown), who eagerly interjects her own imaginative twists.
While the film occasionally grapples with its ambitious thematic breadth, it concludes with grace and tenderness. The deliberate penmanship, the understated yet poignant direction, and a cast of voices that perfectly encapsulate each scene, elevate what could have been a mere fairy-tale to a cuddlesome cinematic experience.
‘Orion and the Dark’, a simple yet enriching venture, confirms that even the most unassuming tales can shine with profundity when enhanced by skillful storytelling and creative collaboration. The movie, a cozy and insightful watch, is now streaming on Netflix, inviting children and adults alike to embrace the shadows and find solace in the gentle embrace of understanding one’s deepest fears.
