Orion and the Dark is a 2024 animated fantasy adventure comedy film directed by Sean Charmatz and written by Charlie Kaufman, based on Emma Yarlett’s children’s book of the same name. Produced by DreamWorks Animation and distributed by Netflix, the film features voice performances by Jacob Tremblay, Paul Walter Hauser, Angela Bassett, and others.
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Orion Mendelson is an 11-year-old boy plagued by numerous irrational fears, ranging from everyday anxieties to an overwhelming dread of the dark. One night, he is visited by Dark, the embodiment of his greatest fear, who offers to take Orion on a journey to show him that the night is not something to be afraid of. Together, they meet various personified night entities, including Sleep, Insomnia, Quiet, Unexplained Noises, and Sweet Dreams. As Orion learns about the roles these entities play in the nighttime world, he begins to confront and understand his fears.
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The animation is framed by an adult Orion telling this story to his daughter, Hypatia, to help her deal with her own fears. As the story progresses, Hypatia interjects, suggesting alternative plot developments, leading to a metafictional exploration of storytelling and fear. Eventually, they work together within Orion’s subconscious to rescue Dark from a black hole, symbolizing Orion’s acceptance of his fears. The film concludes with Hypatia, now an adult, sharing the story with her son, Tycho, emphasizing the generational transmission of stories and coping mechaism.
Cast: Jacob Tremblay, Paul Walter Hauser, Angela Bassett
Director: Sean Charmatz
Runtime: 93 minutes
Watch trailer here.
