Why Netflix's Orion and the Dark is the Latest Animated Movie That Makes You Think
Plot
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The film follows Orion, a young boy grappling with a laundry list of fears and anxieties. However, above “falling off skyscrapers” and “murderous gutter clowns” (whatever those are), Orion fears the dark the most. But, when the physical embodiment of his worst fear pays our anxious hero a visit, Orion embarks on a journey of self-discovery and unexpected friendships. He’s forced to face his fears and alter his perspectives – for the better. Of course, Orion isn’t the only member of his family touched by this adventure, but more on that later.
Central Theme
At the heart of "Orion and the Dark" lies the exploration of confronting one’s fears as a catalyst for personal growth. The film expertly navigates the mindset of children, and even portrays Orion's journey as a metaphor for the human experience. In the end, our young protagonist must overcome all of his anxieties to save his friend. The story encourages its viewers to look inward and embrace their own fears as opportunities for self-discovery. Afterall, fear is a natural part of life. However, as Orion and others learn, one doesn’t need to go through it alone - family and friends will always be there to help.
Imagination
"Orion and the Dark" is a movie bursting with imagination and clever personifications. Take for instance the “night entities” – the physical embodiments of everything that brings the night to life. In addition to Dark, they include Sleep, Quiet, Insomnia, Sweet Dreams, and Unexpected Noises. The quirky characters go a long way in making sense of these often-unexplainable things. The movie is also able to seamlessly integrate fantastical elements with the challenges of the real world. And, by using young Orion’s adventure as a bedtime story within the film’s larger picture, it allows characters and viewers alike to reflect on the interplay between imagination and reality in shaping one's perceptions.
Generational Storytelling
One of the highlights of “Orion and the Dark” is its unique storytelling techniques. Just when we think we’re watching a straightforward story about a young boy’s existential journey, the movie adds an intriguing layer. We learn that this tale, about young Orion facing his fears, is in fact being told by an adult Orion to his daughter, Hypatia - in an effort to help her remedy her own anxieties. With ideas of her own, Hypatia inserts herself into the story and goes on to play a key role in restoring harmony to the world. The generational jumps don’t end there though, as a later reveal shows the story is being relayed by an adult Hypatia to her young son, Tycho - who has also added himself to the bedtime tale. Who else was going to take out those pesky interdimensional time monsters? These revelations make for fun twists, but they also show how dread and fear are generational, passed down from one to the next.
Relationships
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The unexpected friendship that blossoms between Orion and the Dark serves as a truly powerful symbol for the transformative nature of relationships. It’s through empathy and understanding that Orion eventually comes to embrace Dark, realizing that he’s not harmful – but is in fact quite the opposite. Naturally, this resonates on a universal level, bringing forth valuable lessons about compassion and acceptance. The relationship between Orion and Sally is also special. At the start of the film, Sally (Orion’s crush) asks if he’d like to sit with her during the school’s upcoming trip to the planetarium. A petrified Orion couldn’t even muster an answer and tried to get out of the trip all together. But, after the young boy took the steps needed to live a life free of debilitating fear, he was able to go on the trip. Heck, he would go on to marry Sally, have a child with her, and grow old as a grandparent with her.
Worldly Beauty
Another important message the film imparts revolves around hidden beauty. Sometimes it’s the parts of the world that we don’t understand, or are too afraid to look at, that are the most wondrous. Dark lets Orion see all that the night has to offer - from illuminating jellyfish to shining stars in the night sky. Speaking of the latter, the planetarium featured in the movie stands as a special metaphor. This is the spot where Orion grew most comfortable and would eventually work at later in life. We see him take young Hypatia there too. It’s where he passes on various life ideals. And hey, it’s no coincidence that their names are linked to astrology. “Orion and the Dark'' shows us that sometimes all we need to do to feel inspired is to just look up! Ultimately the movie is about accepting fear as a part of life and the shared bonds we make in our journey along the way. Through a multi-layered story and plenty of emotional twists and turns, “Orion and the Dark” can firmly be stacked alongside several other nourishing family-friendly tales with themes around personal development. Like “Where the Wild Things Are,” “Inside Out,” and “Soul,” “Orion and the Dark” uses a magical world of pure imagination to help children understand how this crazy world works. Plus, it gives them the tools on how to knock down the doors of existential dread - with all the requisite charm and heart, of course. So, when it comes to choosing the next film for your kids (or yourself), we say - don’t be afraid of “Orion and the Dark.” What parts of “Orion and the Dark” made you think the most? Don’t leave your thoughts in the dark, drop them in the comments below.
