DreamWorks Animation, in collaboration with Netflix, is set to illuminate the hearts of audiences with its upcoming CG animated feature, Orion and the Dark. Directed by Sean Charmatz and penned by the imaginative Charlie Kaufman, this film promises to be a beacon of light in the realm of animated storytelling.
Embracing the Unknown: A Tale of Courage
Orion and the Dark is an exploration of the fears that lurk in the shadows of every child’s mind. It tells the story of Orion, voiced by Jacob Tremblay, an elementary school kid who is the embodiment of adolescent anxiety. His life is a catalogue of fears – from bees to the deep ocean, and even the dark. But as fate would have it, Orion’s greatest fear, the dark itself, personified by Paul Walter Hauser, steps out of the night to take him on an extraordinary adventure.
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Orion and the Dark, based on the book by Emma Yarlett, takes viewers on a whirlwind journey around the world, as Dark shows Orion that the night is not to be feared. This unlikely duo’s escapades are set to challenge Orion’s perception of the world and teach him the most valuable lesson: to live joyfully, one must let go of fear.
The Creative Minds Behind Orion and the Dark
Orion 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 of bees, dogs, the ocean, cell phone waves, murderous gutter clowns, and even falling off of a cliff. But 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 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 grows 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. Cr: DreamWorks Animation © 2023
With Peter McCown producing and the executive prowess of Walt Dohrn and Bonnie Arnold, Orion and the Dark is not just another animated film. It’s a carefully crafted narrative designed to resonate with anyone who has ever been afraid of the unknown. The creative team’s vision is to create a story that is as therapeutic as it is entertaining.
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DreamWorks Animation is renowned for creating worlds that are rich in detail and characters that are full of life. Orion and the Dark is no exception. The studio’s commitment to storytelling through state-of-the-art CG animation is evident in the early glimpses of the film, promising a visual feast that will captivate both young and old.
The Voices of the Dark Echoes
Orion and the Dark – Orion 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 of bees, dogs, the ocean, cell phone waves, murderous gutter clowns, and even falling off of a cliff. But 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 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 grows 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. Cr: DreamWorks Animation © 2023
The casting of Jacob Tremblay as Orion brings a genuine sense of innocence and wonder to the character, while Paul Walter Hauser’s portrayal of Dark adds depth and warmth to what is traditionally seen as a cold and frightening concept. Together, they are set to deliver performances that will echo in the hearts of viewers long after the credits of Orion and the Dark roll.
As Orion and the Dark prepares to make its debut, it stands as a testament to the power of animation to tackle complex emotions and themes. It’s a film that seeks to turn the table on fear, inviting the audience to laugh, cry, and ultimately, find solace in the embrace of the unknown.
Orion and the Dark premieres in February 2, 2024, exclusively on Netflix.
About Orion and the Dark
Release Date: February 2, 2024
Director: Sean Charmatz
Written By: Charlie Kaufman
Producer: Peter McCown
Executive Producers: Walt Dohrn and Bonnie Arnold
Format: CG
Studio: DreamWorks Animation
Based on the book by Emma Yarlett
Voice Actors: Jacob Tremblay as “Orion,” Paul Walter Hauser as “Dark”
Synopsis
Orion 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 of bees, dogs, the ocean, cell phone waves, murderous gutter clowns, and even falling off of a cliff. But 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 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 grows 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.
Will Orion’s journey inspire viewers to confront their own fears? How will the film’s message resonate in a world where anxiety is all too common? And what new conversations will Orion and the Dark spark about the way we deal with the fears that hold us back from truly living? Let us know what you think about the film on social media!
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