Orion and the Dark’s Writing is Insane 

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I'm really interested in this movie now, especially since I struggle with severe OCD and insomnia. The themes resonate.

I just finished watching. I am scared of the dark and yes Orion is so relatable but Dark just tugs my heart. His entire arc just makes me cry. Once the deus ex machina started I do admit i got baffled and it took me out of it a bit. But perhaps that’s just bc i’m don’t see a lot of stories that make use of it a lot, but i did see it work in the movie. I’d love to hear a deep dive from you!!! (pls do explain the deus ex machina more bc i’d really love to learn!)

I thought you were overselling it but the twists regarding the framing device took me by surprise. I'm so glad they kept that hidden, it turns what would normally be a pretty straightforward and generic kids movie into something more complex.

Just saw the movie and omg you weren't lying!!!! I was knocked out how the movie did its storytelling

Orion and the Dark was so unexpected for me. I genuinely want to know what you all think of the movie if you’ve seen the twists in it.

Orion design looks like Luca Paguro from Pixar's Luca and sounds like him!!!

Yep, definitely watched the film myself (and in the dark no less to add to the ambiance, but only as soon as it got literally dark in the movie), and I was NOT expecting how this story would go, wasn't expecting a Princess Bride type of movie and the deus ex machina made me laugh over how silly it was (which coming from who added that in-universe, I wouldn't be surprised)

Im only about 10 minutes in but I love the whole Infinite Jest bit (the "If I was able to, I would tell you that..." thing is very reminiscent of the first chapter, and the bedtime story Orion wants to read is a big book by David Foster Wallace with a Jester's cap on it). Edit: Thank you for the recommendation, I don't know whether I would have sat down for this otherwise. This was really nice, and I agree the framing device really elevated the movie. I enjoyed it a lot, probably gonna have to think about it some more for the next few days.

That was a really cute movie. I thought it was pretty clear in its delivery and the 'second plot' ending ties in with the initially presented dilemma in a very satisfying way. Thanks for the recommendation.

Watched this movie with my little brother, and you were very much right with the framing device. I was very much taken an aback from it but by the end, I thought it was pretty sweet. I had horrible anxiety as a kid I overthought a lot, if this movie dropped 10 years ago, I would’ve been obsessed. I was very much expecting a standard “pixar-esce” story, but I was very pleasantly surprised by framing of the message and themes.

love the brave little toaster easter egg with the recyling advert on the TV

Is it just me or does quiet get louder overtime? Like i only can really hear her when she quits

I'm very excited to watch this new film from Dreamworks Animation tomorrow!!!!!

I love the subversions and the meta-interpretations. It's genius

The s**c**de scene was insane tho, like damn😃

At your recommendations I have now seen this film and I'm just floored. I don't want to add any spoilers for anyone who hasn't seen it yet but I relate to Orion so much. The whole team was able to really capture the overwhelming feelings of anxiety that some people feel. This just feels like one of those movies I'll want to make sure my own child gets to see one day. I would love to see a video of all your thoughts when you find it appropriate for posting! Thank you again for always recommending such fantastic films and shows. This one is really soul soothing.

wow! I was thinking about this video when I watched the movie and wow! loved the ending... very confusing and was like "wtf?" but then it all came together. was so adorable. loved the movie. the beginning reminded me of 'Perks of Being a Wallflower' in a way (how the main characters lives in his head) haha .

I just finished the movie. I thought it was just going to be another 'distract the kids for 90 minutes movie' but then it just blew me away. It was funny, clever, tackled serious issues with tact, and most importantly, it was hopeful. If you're seeing this, pause the video, watch the movie, and come back. This is one you want to go in blind for.

As someone who's familiar with Kaufman's work, this is definitely in line with his other movies, particularly Adaptation and Synecdoche New York. The common thread between them and Orion is the deconstruction of narrative and how we use it to make sense of our lives and everything in it. If anything, I'd say Orion and the Dark is Synechdoche New York for kids. Both are about neurotic main characters who are obsessed with dying (in SNY's case, through an existential lense), and use narrative to make sense of everything. SNY is about the kinds of stories we tell and create as adults, whereas Orion is about the stories we tell for kids. SNY is also about the failures and limitations of narrative, especially when we try to filter everything in our lives through them. Orion is also aware of those limitations, but becomes unburdened by them due to a certain important element in the framing device, which is that is that when children are telling stories, they're unconcerned with the parameters of storytelling that adults adhere to. Not everything needs to make sense to them; just the important parts. So, in short, yep, this definitely a Charlie Kaufman movie.

It didn’t feel generic to me and to me, the subversion was where the film lost me and I personally fucking hated it. It ruined how magical it was and Orion’s DAUGHTER going back in time by changing a story THEY CLAIMED HAPPENED TO HIM but also act like it isn’t a real story?? So, what’s the point??

Why is it Adult Orion looks like Luigi without a Mustache?

I literally just watched this film, and I went to find out if other people were losing their minds as much as I was and I'm glad someone else is also feeling that. I couldn't figure out if this movie was generic and dumb, or brilliant, because the framing device makes the "dumb" parts make so much sense, and also just enhances everything?! Mind blown! Glad I'm not the only one haha!

I'm gonna be completely honest, that framing device was not focused on enough. I think it did surprise and makes the story unique, but it did not go full-in, making the plot holes, while intentional, feel weird. I see potential in the basic premise and the twist both, and imo they only went half-way by not focusing more on the actual premise and message. I think they should've made the story way more around the framing device and distract the marketing with the original plot. It's an okay basic plot with an insane concept of a twist that while i do feel has potential and ends up being good, it doesn't reach the level i imagined. So yeah, cool movie with an amazing gimmick that was half-done, so still pretty good. Maybe on rewatch it connects better idk, but i'd still recommend it anyways

I'm very curious about this movie.

The way this movie tries to make the main story realistic but it makes sense considering the framing device and the way it even has a whole scene about plot holes is great.

This movie blew my freaking mind. By the time I got to the end I was like: WAIT! WAIT WHAT?! Had my mind doing front flips and I didn’t think a kids movie could leave me feeling that way. Like this man is saying, I thought it would be a fun, generic romp about facing fears but the storytelling is unlike anything I’ve witnessed in children’s media. It’s really awesome and worth a rewatch.

I do have mixed feelings on this movie overall personally. I felt like the character of light was very under-utilised and they could’ve done so much more with him. Also the whole thing about Orion telling the story to his daughter and then her own daughter which I found very confusing overall. The movie also reminded me of rise of the guardians except a little less ambitious too. That’s just me anyway.

My first thought of this film was Pajama Sam 1 and that got me seriously anticipated for it, ashamed it got stuck on streaming.

the movie was great over all didn't know it came from a book but its not surprising

I really enjoyed the movie, but I think the whole movie could work (better even) without the bedtime story and time travel thing. For the poem thing, one of his parents (or preferably him) could be a poet. He’ll always bring his poem filled books, maybe read 1 or 2 poems to Dark and his friends (one of the poem would be the one Hypatia read), and then, when he’s stranded on the beach (idk why there’s a turtle but maybe it’s a day entity), he’ll start to read his poem (the entities [except dark cuz he’s dead] will recognize his poem), and continue the movie normally (but with no bedtime story) Side note: for the scene with Hypatia saying “they cover the stars and built fake stars” thing, it could be Orion saying it to Dark when they started to be closer

I watched it today, and this was the first review I watched. I highly recommend this movie to anyone who hasn't seen it yet. It will absolutely subvert your expectations. You are completely right about everything!! I would love to see a full analysis of this movie with spoilers included! You have a lot of good insights and commentary about it, and include a lot of points I didn't consider.

Great video and keep up the great work. Also sorry if this come out of left field but i find it kinda funny how people are saying dreamworld and even illumination (like just because they release the Mario movie. Which was MID. Doesn’t mean they’re a good company for amazing movies) are destroying Disney and while that’s true. Since btw I’m not that interested in their recent line up especially Wish. It’s kinda funny when those companies than put out mediocre movies people are suddenly suprise. I think the different between Disney and Dreamworks and other companies (except for Illumination) is that they are willing to take risk and try. That’s why you’ll get a 10/10 movie one moment and a 1/10 movie the next. Compare to Disney that is just 6/10 (expect for Encanto that was a 20/10). Also I’m kinda a Disney fan and kinda not. It’s hard to explain. Sorry if this came out of no where and doesn’t make any sense. Keep up the amazing work. And Luv your channel. Also I’m not saying this movie is mediocre I actually haven’t seen it yet. But your video just brought this thought up in my mind

You had fun with that Kh meme, didn't ya? XD

Can someone explain the ending? like i dont get the whole time travel thing? Where as her daughter changed the past so eouldnt also change the future

This movie made me happy in long time.

I had to stop watching the movie and stop and stop because I was cleaning while watching the tv, I was questioning what the heck they were doing and at the end I was so confused, this movie was questionable but good it made me confused and curious and surprised it was fun and weird and that was the best part.

two lines really hit me hard and make me instantly burst into tears

I watched it with my sister last night. The movie wasn't a mindblow for me but it was definitely a nice surprise. The first time it jumped to the future I thought it was cute and a great element to the storytelling, and then when they kept doing it up to the point of showing Orion's grandkid it made me really happy. My heart also melted when Hypatia said, "I think I would be friends with you as a kid" (or something like that). I could not stop "aww"ing at the screen. This movie was a great example for healthy parent-child relationships.

Quiet would be an awesome pokemon

I'm back after seeing it: I was very ambivalent at the beginning (it didn't have a strong start), but there was a lot to love as you went through the film. I genuinely wish I'd watched it with family. The later animation was on point, the framing device was clever & in the middle of the film I had a pretty hard laugh 😊

Yep I’m so totally watching this!

The story was so complex I can’t even

I've never seen this but now i want to (i haven't watched the video yet)

This movie is my fave to watch this year in netflix

WTF ITS SOO GOOD!!!! IM LITERALLY GOING TO SHOW MY FUTURE CHILDREN THIS MOVIE.

I personally give this movie a 6/10, maybe a 6.5. I'm sorry but I am just not a fan of the animation style at all. Dreamworks animated The Prince of Egypt and the How to Train Your Dragon trilogy for Pete's sake, some of the most visually stunning animated films there are. This art style is cute I guess, but it's PAINFULLY boring to look at compared to even some of the lowest budget Dreamworks films. BUT, the reason why I still consider this an above average film is because the writing ABSOLUTELY deserves to be praised. The framing device is so clever, and honestly makes up for a lot of the problems I had when I first started watching. Like for example, I thought the pacing was way too fast, but then one of the characters breaks the 4th wall and LITERALLY comments on how the pacing is too fast and Orion shouldn't have overcome his fear so quickly. And I had to just sit there for a moment like, "Oh...wow. I have to take back what I said". And furthermore, I know that "first realistic panic attack in animation" has become a meme because of Puss in Boots and the overall prevalence of mental health as a big topic of discussion in current media . But with 100% seriousness, Orion is one of the most realistic depiction of childhood anxiety I have ever seen in a film. Like, something I've seen a lot of people comment on is how some of his fears seem really silly and childish (like his fear of clowns), but then how some of his other fears seem a little too dark, like getting cancer from telephone radiation, or getting chloroformed, or dying and being stuck in empty nothingness forever rather than a going to an afterlife or being reincarnated. But as someone who was diagnosed with an anxiety disorder as a kid, that's EXACTLY what it's like. Some of our fears are silly and childish and what you'd probably expect from a kid, but others are just as dark and terrifying as any adult's fears might be. I love that they don't shy away from that in this film. I also love how he struggles with wanting to get rid of his anxiety but ultimately he learns to accept it, because I think that there is a big implication that Orion has an anxiety disorder rather than just ordinary fear. His anxiety isn't something he can ever completely get rid of, but he can at least improve slowly over time. Even as an adult he is still a little afraid of the dark, but rather than taking away from the film's message about overcoming your fears, this actually makes those themes stronger. Because overcoming your fears doesn't always mean not being scared at all. It means facing your fears EVEN IF you're scared. So yeah. 6-6.5/10 film. Disappointing animation, but very VERY good writing.

i’ll never be first

Oké ❗SPOILER❗ I wathed it yesterday. I feel it was very well executed. I would have preferred if they show how the Night Enteties fit in the day, and than how do they become absolite, like Unexplained noises can be seen, so not unexplained, nobody can Sleep, because of Light, and Sweet dreams can't really enter to peaple, because they are vide awake and such, but it's a minor thing. The big thing what I would like to see/hear, the message "Anything can happen in the dark"... It feels very scarry, what is "Anything?" but also inspiraing, because "Anything!" is a good thing... Therefor, I would have given the unknow a bit bigger representation, not necescarry as an entity, just make it appear more. The story's ending was a bit force with the time machine, but it was fitting, being a little kid's fantasy, and the very end was sweet💜 +Note; I would have love to see Day Enteties, tho, I understand it would been too much and unnecescary to the story... Also, I can't put Unexplained voices anywhere, oke, she wasn't bad, but I also doesn't felt inspirair or usefull, and doesn't feel really as an individual thing... So, I'm puzzled with her....

OH Now I see why I havent heard of it aha! You've got me excited for this movie now omg!! 🥳🥳

Just saw it and I can only say two things about it. It was good and what the hell was that?

Charlie Kaufman

I watched the movie and the ending was unexpecting

Dreamworks will never FAIL!

😮

started crying when i saw the ending. the best written dreamworks movie

for me that is a good movie

This movie was amazing.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I had been waiting for this film for months and wow, it's worth the wait In the sea of kids animations, I must say the writing is truly brilliant. Unfortunately, the framing device and the ambitious writing itself are the ones that polarize the public opinions between "Clever writing" and "Messy/Overcomplicated writing". I'm definitely on the "Clever writing" side, and I really wish more people appreaciated this film in that regard

Random click of the day well-rewarded. . . . . . . But lemme guess, the big thing you're dancing around has something to do with Cancer, Treatments that could induce Out-Of-Body Experiences, and Greater Existential Fears of Death. I know it's the cliche, but I'm super-curious now.

I appreciate this movie a lot

2:37 7:11

While the movie wasn't bad and the plot twist very unique, the moment Hypatia self inserts herself into the story took me out from it.

HOLY SHIT! NEW FAVORITE MOVIE! Handily beat spiderverse! HOW?! CAN’T FUCKIN TELL YOU BECAUSE THIS MOVIE IM A SINGLE SCENE COMMUNICATED MY ENTIRE WORLD VIEW ON MEDIA! Holy hell! Seriously dude, thank you for getting me to check this out. I can see why you didn’t wanna spoil this. It was a phenomenal experience to go in completely blind. GAH! I NEED TO WATCH IT AGAIN! WATCH THIS MOVIE! GO! NOW!

just saw the movie amazing once again dreamworks and netflix out does disney

i miss pajama sam.

Dreamworks does it again, loved the movie! Yeah i was questioning it at first but as it it kept going i fell in love with it more. It reminded me of what Pixar used to be, great storytelling and smart writing

I watched this movie today and I loved it

It’s really good

Another Dreamworks classic

Personally I thought it was cool to see that he was telling the story to his daughter and I expected this scene to be revisited after the story ended. But instead they kept coming back to the future, each time feeling less interesting and more unnecessary, to the point that the daughter inserted herself into the plot and it felt really awkward and bad, like if I was suddenly watching a fanfic, not an actual well made story. How can I be invested in the story if in the movie itself they let you know again and again that the story is not even real in their world, that its just a bedtime story, full of plot holes. It had a great begging, okay middle story and mediocre ending for me.

I want to watch cartoons to have fun not stress

there's no way this was made for the generation's kids 😭

I watch the movie and it's good but there's problems with it I don't like the part when the dark just literally kills himself and the world doesn't have Darkness anymore and it gets even more confusing apparently it's a story by Orion and was story true or was it just a dream and it was false advertising i thought the story would be Orion would overcome his fears and it's not even a great adaptation to book

I liked Orion and the Dark despite its confused, convoluted and complicated plot.

What the hell was that messily cut and random intro

Dreamworks is not better than disney

The movie sucked cause they never did anything with the sally plot and the end was so booty