Starring: Jacob Tremblay, Paul Walter Hauser, Angela Bassett, Colin Hanks, Natasia Demetriou, Nat Faxon, Ike Barinholtz, Carla Gugino, Werner Herzog
OUR RATING: ★★★½
Story:
Netflix and DreamWorks animated fantasy adventure comedy directed by Sean Charmatz and written by Charlie Kaufman. Orion and the Dark (2024) centers on Orion (Jacob Tremblay), who seems a lot like your average elementary school kid, shy, unassuming, harboring a secret crush. But underneath his seemingly normal exterior, Orion is a ball of adolescent anxiety, completely consumed by irrational fears, and of all his fears, the thing he’s the most afraid of is what he confronts on a nightly basis, the dark. So when the literal embodiment of his worst fear pays a visit, Dark (Paul Walter Hauser) whisks Orion away on a roller coaster ride around the world to prove there is nothing to be afraid of in the night. As the unlikely pair grow closer, Orion must decide if he can learn to accept the unknown, to stop letting fear control his life and finally embrace the joy of living.
Where to Watch:
Best Quotes
Orion: [to himself] Hi. My name’s Orion. I’m a kid, just like you, so we have that in common. Anyhow, I saw you sitting there by yourself and thought maybe you’d like some company. I know I would. So that’s why I’m walking up to you right now, and walking right past you.
Orion: [to himself] Sally, I’m afraid. Afraid of what, you want to know? So much, really. But in this case, rejection, humiliation, that you might tell your friends, and they would all laugh at me.
Orion: [to himself] And it’s not just you I’m afraid of, Sally. And not just girls in general. It’s most things, to be candid.
Orion: There are a lot of things I’m not a big fan of. Murderous gutter clowns are high on my list. Cell phone waves giving me cancer. Mosquito bites getting infected. Falling off a skyscraper. Saying “good morning”. Bees. Dogs. The ocean. I’m afraid of being responsible for my team losing. And of course, I’m afraid of locker rooms. Because A, what sane person isn’t? And B, Richie Panici.
Richie Panici: [to Orion] You drew me dead! No one draws me dead! I’m hereby “consificating” this on account of its rudeness to me, Richie Panici.
Orion: [to himself] If I weren’t so scared, I would tell you that that’s my property. That I put my heart and soul into it, and that you had no right to grab it from me. I would also tell you that the word is “confiscating”.
Orion: This field trip sounds terrifying. Getting packed like sardines into a rusty school bus with thirty other kids speeding down the highway? Sounds like a traffic accident waiting to happen. I should know. I’ve studied the actuarial charts.
Orion: What if I end up having to sit next to Sally at the planetarium, and our hands touch? I’ll have a panic attack. It’ll become a running joke around the school, and I’ll never know the joy of a meaningful human connection!
Orion’s Mom: The trick is not to let your fear get in the way of living your life.
'So much of how you see yourself is through the eyes of others.' - Dark (Orion and the Dark) Share on X
Orion’s Mom: Sometimes, you just have to feel the fear and do it anyway.
Orion: I love my parents, and I appreciate what they’re trying to do. But that is, without question, the worst advice I’ve ever heard.
Orion: This cartoon is completely unrealistic. Recyclable items do not have eyes or personalities. They do not go on adventures. I don’t appreciate being condescended to. Real life is way more complicated than that. And reincarnation is wishful thinking.
Orion: In real life, when you’re dead, you’re dead. The realization that there’s no way around it terrifies me. I try to imagine what death is like. I’ve concluded it’s like nothing. I try to imagine nothing. This is black and silent, not nothing. Blackness and silence is something. Nothing is perhaps the one unimaginable thing.
Orion: I take it back! This is bad! Very, very bad! It’s literally the worst! Because of all the things I’m afraid of, I’m most afraid of the dark.
Orion: Curse you, darkness! What cruel aberrations hide within your inky cloak of darkness? Why can’t you just leave me alone?
Dark: Okay! That’s it! I’ve had it with you! Every single night with the constant screaming, and the carrying on, and whatnot! Seven nights a week, three hundred and sixty-five nights a year. It’s nonstop!
Orion: What are you?
Dark: Isn’t that obvious? The room’s dark. It’s dark out. Hello? I’m Dark. Ta-da!
Dark: [to Orion] You know, there are a lot of people that are scared of me. But you, you’re on a whole different level. Of all the kids who are terrified of the dark, you are by far the loudest, the most obnoxious, and frankly, the most hurtful. And that’s no small feat. You’ve got some pretty healthy competition.
Orion: You’re keeping a list?
Dark: Yes, I’m keeping a list. Do you know how many kids are afraid of me? It’s giving me a complex.
'The only stories that really help are the true ones.' - Hypatia (Orion and the Dark) Share on X
Orion: Dark is simply the absence of light. Not a stupid cartoon character.
Dark: I even made a little movie about myself. You know, to offer a different perspective on darkness. It’s kind of a passion project.
Dark: It didn’t get into Sundance. And it’s so much better than half of the movies there. It’s such a boys club.
Dark: Listen, I didn’t ask to be a supernatural entity that evokes dread and despair. I’m just a regular guy trying to do my job. But people always pick on me. Truth is, almost everyone is scared of me. Or hates me. Or thinks I’m evil. Some people think I’m nothing. Hurts a guy.
Dark: I just wish people would give me a chance.
Orion: I just want to not be afraid anymore.
Dark: Yeah, that’d be nice. Then maybe I wouldn’t have to hear you screaming every night.
Dark: I think I’ve got a way to fix this. You come watch me do my job for one night, and you’ll finally see that I’m nothing to be afraid of. You’ll learn to appreciate the beauty of the night, instead of being so terrified all the time. So what do you say? Are you in, or are you in?
Orion: I’m definitely not in.
'I once thought quiet the absence of sound, but learned it's the space where small sounds can be found.' - Hypatia (Orion and the Dark) Share on X
Dark: [to Orion] If you want to spend the rest of your life paralyzed by fear, be my guest, but that’s on you.
Hypatia: All I’m saying is that fear of the dark is natural. It’s hardwired in us, so there’s nothing we can do about it.
Dark: Pretty great, right?
Orion: If by “pretty” and “great”, you mean “terrifying” and “awful”, then, yes!
Dark: I’m going to get you to overcome your fears if it kills me! And I’m immortal, by the way, so I’ve got all the time in the world.
Dark: I thought we’d start with a little tour of what I like to call, “the virtues of night”. See? Without me, you wouldn’t be able to see all the wrinkles on the actors faces.
Orion: So far, you’re a terrible salesman.
Dark: [to Orion] You’re allergic to living.
Dark: You are familiar with the concept of “fun”, are you not?
Orion: “Fun” is just a word people made up to make danger sound more appealing!
Dark: Buckle up and hold on to your hat because your mind is about to be blown. Are you covering your eyes again?
Orion: I plead the Fifth.
Dark: Really?
'We always want to know the ending because it makes things less scary in the middle parts. But maybe being scared is just a part of life. I think you just need to feel the fear. And do it anyway.' - Hypatia and Orion Share on X
Dark: I’m the coolest Entity of all time! Because that’s what you are when there’s no other Entity that has ever existed that people like better than you.
Dark: Okay. So we got off to a little bit of a shaky start with the whole “dropping you and almost killing you” thing. But we can’t dwell on that because we’ve got a lot of work to do, kid.
Dark: Without darkness, the others don’t get to do their bits.
Orion: What do you mean “the others”?
Dark: The other Night Entities.
Orion: Wait. There’s more?
Dark: Orion, allow me to introduce you to the other Night Entities. There’s Sleep. Quiet. Insomnia. Unexplained Noises. And, of course, the most creative and poetic of us all, Sweet Dreams.
Insomnia: You brought the Screamer?
Sleep: The kid who’s afraid of everything!
Sweet Dreams: Is this your latest attempt at trying to convince the world that you’re not so bad?
Dark: Uh…
Unexplained Noises: Helping random children to boost your fragile self-esteem is not in our job description!
Dark: Woh. That is insightfully harsh.
Insomnia: Do you have any idea how many things could go wrong? I mean, what if he freaks out, and slows you down, and you know who finally catches up, and you get obliterated, and the concept of darkness ceases to exist, and the fabric of the universe is permanently and irreparably altered?
Orion: That’s a thing that can happen?
Dark: Ah, seems unlikely.
Orion: You really think you can fix everything I’m afraid of in one night?
Dark: One night can change everything.
Orion: None of what you’re doing is okay! Smothering someone with a pillow? Chloroform? A hammer? Not to mention, questions of hygiene with that kiss.
Sleep: Listen, I’ve been doing this job for thousands of years. I think I know what I’m doing, kid. And these lips are clean!
Dark: [referring to Quiet] I’m going to be honest. I never have any idea what she’s saying. But she did look pretty angry.
Unexplained Noises: You’re upsetting the delicate balance of nature. You may not understand it, but we’re doing very important jobs here!
Dark: I mean, in the kid’s defense, a lot of your job does involve creeping around and scaring children.
Unexplained Noises: I don’t have to explain myself to either of you. The fact is, his very presence threatens to destroy the fabric of the universe as we know it!
Sweet Dreams: Creating a dream is a very delicate art. That means anything you say, or even think, could influence the dream. Got it?
Orion: Anything I think?
Dark: You thought of something scary, didn’t you?
Dark: [to Orion] Kid, you’re either extremely disturbed or extremely creative.
Dark: [to Orion] It wasn’t a complete disaster. You know why? Because you looked your fears in the eye and showed them what’s what!
Dark: Is it me, or am I more excited about this than you are?
Orion: I didn’t overcome anything.
Dark: Kid, I was there. I saw it with my own two eyes.
Orion: What you saw was me being terrified and trying not to die.
Dark: Now that you mention it, it did kind of have an air of mortal desperation. But that doesn’t make it any less impressive!
Orion: You know, my daughter’s going to love that we’re becoming friends.
Dark: I knew you’d start warming up to me. Hold on, aren’t you too young to have a daughter?
Orion: My future daughter.
Dark: You’re wacko, kid.
Orion: You’re right, you really can see every wrinkle on the actors faces!
Dark: Like rings on a log.
Dark: I know what it’s like to be afraid too.
Orion: You? What could you possibly be afraid of?
Dark: I guess I’m afraid that everyone’s right about me. That I’m not a good guy, and I’m just as scary as everyone says.
Orion: Hey, Dark? Remember when you told me you’re actually a really great guy? And I didn’t believe you?
Dark: Yeah.
Orion: I’m starting to believe you.
Dark: You got to be kidding me.
Orion: Who is he?
Insomnia: That is Light. He’s Dark’s nemesis.
Orion: [referring to Light] I like him, for some reason. He makes me feel safe. Like I’m wrapped in a warm blanket. You know, if you’re into that kind of thing.
Dark: [to Light] “Ooh, look at me. I’m so bright!” I’ve got tricks too, you know. But unlike some of us, I like to leave a little to the imagination, instead of rubbing it in everyone’s face.
Light: It’s always the same routine with you, man. I show up, you feel inadequate, then you start to project your insecurities onto me. Every day, I bring brightness and hope to the world, and you bring the exact opposite.
Dark: I do more than that.
Light: Wait, really? Like what?
Hypatia: Parents love simple stories like that because whatever problem the character has, it all gets fixed, and then they don’t have to worry about it anymore. Orion meets Dark. Dark’s not so bad. Orion isn’t afraid of him anymore, then there’s a dance party.
Insomnia: Jumping to worst case scenarios is my actual job.
Orion: I’m just saying, I wish you could all experience daylight. You too!
Dark: That’s saying you wish everyone could experience me not being around.
Orion: That’s not what I meant to say.
Dark: Perfect! Then you won’t mind unsaying it to the rest of the team, in a touching, heartfelt speech.
Orion: [to the other entities] Implying that Day is superior to Night was wrong. Period. Sure, some people might say that you’re not as pretty and vibrant as Day. But so what? Because, ultimately, the thing that makes the vibrancy of Day exist is its exact opposite, dark and empty. So, you see, if you think about it that way, you are the wind beneath Day’s wings.
Dark: I don’t think this is helping.
Sweet Dreams: We all need to feel seen and heard.
Dark: There’s nothing left of the night but me. This isn’t night anymore. It looks like nothing now. It sounds like nothing. And tomorrow, even you’re gone. So I just fly around by myself forever?
Orion: Dark, come on. You can’t be in the light. You can’t be where you’re not. You’ll disappear.
Dark: I’m willing to risk that possibility.
Light: Well, I have to go make life on Earth possible and stuff. So, see you, kid.
Hypatia: Without night, people won’t be able to sleep. And without sleep, everyone’s going to go crazy.
Hypatia: “Now that it’s gone, I miss the night. Now that the only thing left is light.”
Hypatia: “I miss the night because it’s like me. And when it is dark is when I best see. Maybe the world has become too bright, too loud, too selfish, and ready to fight.”
Hypatia: “And the one that is quiet never gets heard. And the ones that are awkward dismissed as mere nerds.”
Light: [as he sees people shutting out light] I got to admit, this is starting to undermine my confidence a little.
Hypatia: “I once thought quiet the absence of sound, but learned it’s the space where small sounds can be found. I once thought Dark was the absence of Light, but it is the place where starlight is bright. The Quiet, the Dark, the Dreams once embraced me, they let me feel safe in a world that erased me. Now that it’s gone, I miss the night. Now that the only thing left is light.”
Orion: On second thought, maybe it’s not such a good idea to put the fate of the world in the hands of an eleven year-old kid with severe performance anxiety.
Dark: You came back for me.
Orion: Of course I did. You’re my friend. I was afraid I lost you.
Dark: Nope. I’m right here, bud.
Hypatia: We always want to know the ending because it makes things less scary in the middle parts. But maybe being scared is just a part of life. I think you just need to feel the fear.
Orion: And do it anyway.
Orion: What happens now?
Dark: I don’t know. But being with you, somehow, it makes the horror of the unknown less horrible.
Orion: I know what you mean.
Dark: You’ll see dark. I mean, I won’t look exactly like this. But you’ll see me in new ways. Ways that are even better.
Orion: Yeah. I can see that now, and I can appreciate it. Thanks for that.
Dark: Thank you, Orion.
Orion: For what?
Dark: Well, seeing me the way you do. So much of how you see yourself is through the eyes of others. You know?
Orion: Am I okay, in the future?
Hypatia: Yeah, you’re doing good.
Orion: So, I don’t have to worry so much, is what you’re saying?
Hypatia: I guess that’s what I’m saying.
Orion’s Mom: Who’s that?
Orion: Believe it or not, that’s my child… hood friend.
Adult Sally: Mind if I sit with you?
Adult Orion: I would love that.