Orion And The Dark - Watch Latest Film Review Online

DreamWorks and Netflix's "Orion and the Dark" excels at capturing the essence of Pixar's storytelling, surpassing even some of Pixar's recent releases. It shamelessly borrows from the Pixar playbook of bringing the impossible to life, as seen in films like "Inside Out" and "Toy Story," to the point where it directly references the latter in its prologue. However, unlike many other Pixar imitators, this film builds upon the established template rather than merely copying it superficially. While it strikes familiar chords, it succeeds because it combines writer Charlie Kaufman's distinctive storytelling style with a heartfelt narrative about a boy yearning for a sense of security in the world. With its well-crafted characters, engaging dialogue, and uplifting messages, "Orion and the Dark" is a delightful surprise among Netflix's early-year original content. Watch latest Hollywood films online only on Afdah without purchasing any plan.

It is evident that "Orion and the Dark" deviates from the typical family film, even without knowing that it was written by the same person who wrote "Adaptation" and "Being John Malkovich". The script incorporates references to David Foster Wallace and Saul Bass, which is not something you come across every day in a cartoon. This uniqueness is apparent right from the prologue, which can almost be considered a short film on its own. In this clever introduction, Kaufman and director Sean Charmatz, in his directorial debut, introduce us to Orion, a young student who is afraid of almost everything. Whether it's bullies, bees, or even the fear of falling from skyscrapers, Orion has contemplated the terrifying nature of it all. However, his greatest fear is the darkness, a common evolutionary fear.

One evening, following the persistent reassurances of his supportive parents that everything is secure, Orion encounters the personification of Darkness, brilliantly voiced by the talented Paul Walter Hauser. Hauser's vocal performance seamlessly transitions from outgoing to vulnerable throughout the film, serving as a testament to the transformative power an actor can bring to an animated movie when they approach it with dedication rather than considering it a simple task. He clearly contemplated the journey of something seemingly impossible and succeeded by grounding it in relatability. What if the Darkness, like Orion, also harbored fears of being overlooked and unnecessary in the world? After all, everyone adores the Light, depicted as a near-Superman figure in contrast to the brooding nature of the Dark, exuding a more obvious heroism.