As DreamWorks reinvents itself in the increasingly crowded animation space, the studio’s latest film, Orion and the Dark, shines through its dynamic visuals and relatability – despite nearly succumbing to faulty narrative choices.
As the film, based on the children’s book of the same name by Emma Yarlett, introduces viewers to a worry-filled Orion (voiced by Jacob Tremblay), it instantly impresses on two fronts. First, the film’s animation style features character designs that are simple and allow for more emotive movement. As Orion details all the fears that plague him daily, there’s a strong visual blending that’s very pleasing to the eye. All of Orion’s notebook drawings come to life and act out his paranoia in a fun and engaging manner. Thanks to this, the storytelling is elevated early on and instantly grabs your attention. This combination of art styles definitely emphasizes a growing trend we’ve seen in animation – especially from Sony – and Orion and the Dark further shows why it’s such an effective technique.
With the visuals adding to the story, viewers will also feel a meaningful connection to Orion’s worries right away. While the idea of Orion being fearful of literally everything around him – from school bullies to familiar-looking clowns in storm drains – could potentially get annoying, it really doesn’t as it comes off very empathetic. Viewers of all ages can really relate to Orion’s stressors and find some overlap with his issues that connect to their own. For adults, there’s a bit of nostalgia to Orion being so concerned about everything as a kid as well as some overlap that underlines how those fears can persist into adulthood. For kids, Orion can touch on universal social pressures that are greater than ever for today’s youth and it’s what makes his story so important and timeless.
Orion and the Dark makes a great first impression that evolves as the film’s central adventure unfolds. Of all of Orion’s fears, the dark is towards the top of his list. That’s what makes the entity known as Dark (voiced by Paul Walter Hauser) – who travels the globe turning day to night – visit Orion one night. To make Orion no longer afraid of him, Dark decides to take him on his nightly duties and whisks him around the world.
When the film transitions to night, the visuals become even more eye-catching and amusing. The color contrasts and designs of the other nightly entities that Dark works with are great. There are a lot of more action-oriented sequences that are well-animated and bring some distinctly trippy visuals that fit the dream-like feel of Orion’s journey with Dark. Plus, the film capitalizes on the connection that’s established with audiences at the start by showcasing these visually stunning scenes that heighten the emotion. Orion and the Dark is one of DreamWorks’ more ambitiously animated films lately and it’s one of the key reasons it sticks out as such a highlight for the studio.
More importantly, once Orion embarks on Dark’s nightly routine, the film becomes enjoyable at nearly every turn. Aside from Orion being an unwanted buzzkill at times, it’s fun to watch him be taken out of his comfort zone. Tremblay and Hauser deliver great voice performances and the growing friendly chemistry between Orion and Dark is a delight. The other entities that Dark works with have entertaining powers that touch on various vibes of the night – including strange sounds and insomnia – that are bolstered by good voice work and likable writing. The themes of Orion overcoming and facing his fears and its connection with what he experiences in the night with Dark are very touching. They embody a sense of understanding, compassion, and self-reflection that’s always essential to genuine growth and hit emotional marks that’ll really surprise viewers at times.
The only area where the film’s story doesn’t hit as well is when it tries to pull back the curtain and add a new but unnecessary layer to the storytelling. Throughout Orion’s journey, viewers will be pulled out of it to get a behind the scenes look at who’s really telling the story and it doesn’t always work as intended. These sidebar moments are likely meant to widen Orion’s perspective and help build towards the finale – which can happen sometimes. Unfortunately, this secondary storyline often impedes the momentum of the film and can add some confusing elements to the final stretch. It basically tries to go too “meta” with the storytelling and it results in some logic-defying sequences that take viewers out of the experience.
Orion and the Dark is a noteworthy entry from Dreamworks that takes viewers on an emotional and beautifully animated ride – although it can derail itself at times. Given all the modern and growing stressors everyone faces each day, this film comes at the perfect time and delivers elements that can truly act as healing relief for the mind and soul.
