View source for Orion and the Dark

{{Short description|American animated film by Sean Charmatz}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2023}}
{{Infobox film
| name           = Orion and the Dark
| image          = Orion_and_the_Dark_poster.jpg
| alt            = 
| caption        = Release poster
| director       = Sean Charmatz
| writer         = [[Charlie Kaufman]]
| based_on       = {{based on|''Orion and the Dark''|Emma Yarlett}}
| producer       = Peter McCown
| starring       = {{Plainlist|<!--per ending credits-->
* [[Jacob Tremblay]]
* [[Paul Walter Hauser]]
* [[Colin Hanks]]
* Mia Akemi Brown
* [[Ike Barinholtz]]
* [[Nat Faxon]]
* [[Golda Rosheuvel]]
* [[Natasia Demetriou]]
* [[Aparna Nancherla]]
* [[Carla Gugino]]
* Matt Dellapina 
* [[Angela Bassett]]
}}
| narrator       = 
| editing        = Kevin Sukho Lee
| music          = {{Plainlist|
* Robert Lydecker
* Kevin Lax
}}
| studio         = {{Plainlist|
* [[DreamWorks Animation]]
* [[Mikros Animation]]
}}
| distributor    = [[Netflix]]
| released       = {{Film date|2024|2|2|United States}}
| runtime        = 93 minutes
| country        = United States
| language       = English
}}
'''''Orion and the Dark''''' is a 2024 American animated [[Fantasy film|fantasy]] [[Adventure film|adventure]] [[comedy film]] produced by [[DreamWorks Animation]], animated by [[Mikros Animation]], and distributed by [[Netflix]]. It was directed by Sean Charmatz (in his feature directorial debut) and written by [[Charlie Kaufman]], based on the 2014 children's book of the same name by Emma Yarlett. The film stars the voices of [[Jacob Tremblay]], [[Paul Walter Hauser]], [[Colin Hanks]], Mia Akemi Brown, [[Ike Barinholtz]], [[Nat Faxon]], [[Golda Rosheuvel]], [[Natasia Demetriou]], [[Aparna Nancherla]], [[Carla Gugino]], Matt Dellapina, and [[Angela Bassett]]. Robert Lydecker and Kevin Lax composed the film's musical score.

''Orion and the Dark'' premiered at the TUDUM Theater in Los Angeles on January 27, 2024, and was released on [[Netflix]] on February 2. The film has received positive reviews from critics, with praise for its screenplay, animation, themes and performances.

==Plot==
Orion is a severely anxious 11-year-old with an extensive list of [[phobia|irrational fears]]. He journals his fears in his diary and is nervous about being rejected by his school crush, Sally, at an upcoming [[planetarium]] field trip. One night, after a sudden blackout, Orion is greeted by [[darkness|Dark]], the embodiment of his worst fear, in his bedroom. Tired of Orion's constant complaints about him, Dark offers to take Orion on a trip to help him overcome his fears by showing him the benefits and wonders of nighttime. Along the way, it is revealed that an adult Orion is telling the story to his young daughter, Hypatia, to help with her fears.

During their travels, Dark introduces Orion to his fellow night entities [[Sleep]], [[Insomnia]], [[silence|Quiet]], [[noise|Unexplained Noises]] and [[dreams|Sweet Dreams]]. Dark convinces them to let Orion witness their work, to which they reluctantly agree. As they travel, Dark shows Orion how Quiet removes surrounding sounds, Sleep induces people to slumber, Insomnia induces anxiety and wakes some people up, Unexplained Noises makes various noises outside homes, and Sweet Dreams generates wonderful dreams. Initially, Orion's anxious behavior interferes with the night entities' jobs, but as Orion warms up to and eventually befriends Dark, he helps the night entities in their tasks. Additionally, Orion briefly encounters [[Light]], Dark's nemesis who brings daylight in the mornings while Dark brings nighttime in the evenings.

Continuing their journey, Orion inadvertently remarks how Light seems preferable to Dark, as Light makes him feel safe and warm. Feeling dejected, the other entities abandon their nighttime duties in exchange for working during the day. Angry and saddened by their abandonment, Dark stops on a mountaintop. A guilty Orion pleads with Dark to move before Light passes through and disintegrates him but Dark stays still and vanishes as Light passes through him, abandoning Orion. Now alone, Orion sits on the mountaintop, which he realizes is the back of a flying turtle, ashamed of his actions.

With the story ended, the now adult Orion and his daughter Hypatia walk through the city to the planetarium. Hypatia is shocked by his ending and suggests a different narrative. As she takes over the story, Orion, now alone at the beach, is met by Hypatia who promises to help him. She recites a poem she has written based on the story so far and the night entities return, having witnessed the chaos brought by endless daylight without nighttime to maintain the natural balance of the world. Remembering Dark to be the literal embodiment of Orion's worst fear, they realize Orion needs to sleep and dream about Dark to bring him back.

With Sweet Dreams' help, the two children enter Orion's [[subconscious]] and successfully summon Dark from the memory of the first time they met in Orion's bedroom, but the reunion is cut short when his closet door opens and reveals a [[black hole]] which tries to pull Dark in. Finally learning to accept his fears, Orion jumps in to save Dark, while Quiet softly wakes him up right in time for them to get out of the dream. Dark reappears, restoring the natural order of the world, and returns the children to Orion's house before bidding them farewell. After Dark's departure, Hypatia is now stuck 20 years in her past with no way to return home. However, the story is resolved as a young boy named Tycho arrives in a [[time machine]] to bring Hypatia back.

The story ends again, and it is revealed that an adult Hypatia is telling the story to her son, Tycho. Finishing the story, Hypatia goes outside to say goodnight to her father and mother, the now much older Orion and Sally, as the scene cuts back to the start with a young Orion and Sally gazing at the stars on the Planetarium field trip.

==Voice cast==
* [[Jacob Tremblay]] as Orion Mendelson
** [[Colin Hanks]] as Adult Orion Mendelson
* [[Paul Walter Hauser]] as Dark
* [[Angela Bassett]] as Sweet Dreams
* [[Ike Barinholtz]] as Light
* [[Natasia Demetriou]] as Sleep
* [[Golda Rosheuvel]] as Unexplained Noises/Debbie
* [[Nat Faxon]] as Insomnia
* [[Aparna Nancherla]] as Quiet
* [[Carla Gugino]] as Orion's Mom
* Matt Dellapina as Dom Mendelson, Orion's Dad
* Mia Akemi Brown as Hypatia
** [[Shannon Chan-Kent]] as Adult Hypatia
* Shino Nakamichi as Sally
** [[Ren Hanami]] as Adult Sally 
* Jack Fisher as Richi Panichi
* Nick Kishiyama as Tycho
* [[Werner Herzog]] as the Narrator

==Production==
It was announced on June 12, 2023 that [[Netflix]] and [[DreamWorks Animation]] had collaborated on the film, which was written by [[Charlie Kaufman]], and debuted several segments at the annual [[Annecy International Animation Film Festival]] that same day. [[Jacob Tremblay]], [[Paul Walter Hauser]] and [[Werner Herzog]] were announced as part of the voice cast.<ref name=FilmAnnouncement>{{cite web |last1=Croll |first1=Ben |title=DreamWorks Animation, Netflix Pair For Charlie Kaufman-Penned ''Orion and The Dark'' |url=https://variety.com/2023/film/festivals/dreamworks-animation-netflix-charlie-kaufman-orion-1235642186/ |website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |access-date=13 June 2023 |date=June 13, 2023 |archive-date=June 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230613162406/https://variety.com/2023/film/festivals/dreamworks-animation-netflix-charlie-kaufman-orion-1235642186/ |url-status=live }}</ref> Additionally, Lloyd Taylor, who worked on ''[[Spies in Disguise]]'' and ''[[Nimona (film)|Nimona]]'', provided the additional screenplay material for the film with Brandon Sawyer, making it the second film Taylor worked for DreamWorks after ''[[Trolls Band Together]]''.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.thewrap.com/best-new-movies-on-netflix-february-2024/ | title=The 7 Best New Movies on Netflix in February 2024 | date=February 18, 2024 }}</ref>

In January 2024, additional voice cast was announced, including [[Ike Barinholtz]], [[Angela Bassett]], [[Colin Hanks]] and [[Carla Gugino]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/orion-and-the-dark-trailer-ike-barinholtz-light-1235785585/ |title=Ike Barinholtz Brings the Light in Latest 'Orion and the Dark' Trailer |last=Vlessing |first=Etan |website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |date=January 11, 2024 |access-date=January 11, 2024 |archive-date=January 11, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240111173844/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/orion-and-the-dark-trailer-ike-barinholtz-light-1235785585/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Animation===
[[Mikros Animation]], who previously worked with DreamWorks Animation on ''[[Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie]]'', provided the film's animation in their [[Paris]] and [[Bangalore]] facilities.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Delaney |first=Cole |date=2023-06-13 |title=Dreamworks Reveals New Charlie Kaufman-Written Film 'Orion And The Dark,' Coming To Netflix In 2024 – Exclusive Video |url=https://www.cartoonbrew.com/feature-film/orion-and-the-dark-dreamworks-netflix-charlie-kaufman-229594.html |access-date=2023-06-14 |website=Cartoon Brew |language=en-US |archive-date=June 13, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230613221438/https://www.cartoonbrew.com/feature-film/orion-and-the-dark-dreamworks-netflix-charlie-kaufman-229594.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Music===
Kevin Lax and Robert Lydecker composed the score.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://filmmusicreporter.com/2023/11/10/kevin-lax-robert-lydecker-scoring-dreamworks-animations-netflix-film-orion-and-the-dark/|title=Kevin Lax & Robert Lydecker Scoring DreamWorks Animation's Netflix Film 'Orion and the Dark'|access-date=November 11, 2023|archive-date=November 11, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231111015612/https://filmmusicreporter.com/2023/11/10/kevin-lax-robert-lydecker-scoring-dreamworks-animations-netflix-film-orion-and-the-dark/|url-status=live}}</ref>

==Release==

''Orion and the Dark'' had its world premiere on January 27, 2024 as the opening night matinee of the TUDUM Theater presentation in Los Angeles.

The film was released on [[Netflix]] on February 2, 2024.<ref>{{cite news |last1=White |first1=Abbey |title=Jacob Tremblay, Paul Walter Hauser Are a Young Boy and His Biggest Fear in Trailer for 'Orion and the Dark' |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/orion-and-the-dark-trailer-jacob-tremblay-paul-walter-hauser-1235643332/ |website=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |access-date=9 November 2023 |date=9 November 2023 |archive-date=November 9, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231109220917/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/orion-and-the-dark-trailer-jacob-tremblay-paul-walter-hauser-1235643332/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Reception==
{{Rotten Tomatoes prose|92|7.1|76|consensus=An uncommonly ambitious animated film, ''Orion and the Dark'' benefits from a Charlie Kaufman screenplay that isn't afraid to tangle with existential ideas.|access-date=November 26, 2024|ref=yes}} {{MC film|72|23|ref=y|access-date=February 9, 2024}}

===Accolades===
{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable"
|-
! scope="col"| Award
! scope="col"| Date of ceremony
! scope="col"| Category
! scope="col"| Recipient(s)
! scope="col"| Result
! scope="col" class="unsortable"| {{Abbr|Ref.|References}}
|-
! scope=row rowspan="3"| [[Annie Awards]]
| rowspan="3"| [[52nd Annie Awards|Feburary 8, 2025]]
| [[Annie Award for Best Animated Special Production|Best Special Production]]
| ''Orion and the Dark''
| {{pending}}
| align=center rowspan="3"| <ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2024/artisans/awards/annie-awards-2025-nominations-wild-robot-1236255475/|title='The Wild Robot' Leads 2025 Annie Awards Nominations With 10 Nods|website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|first=Carolyn|last=Giardina|date=December 20, 2024|accessdate=December 31, 2024}}</ref>
|-
| [[Annie Award for Outstanding Achievement for Production Design in an Animated Television/Broadcast Production|Outstanding Achievement for Production Design in an Animated Television / Broadcast Production]]
| Timothy Lamb and Christine Bian
| {{pending}}
|-
| [[Annie Award for Outstanding Achievement for Writing in an Animated Television/Broadcast Production|Outstanding Achievement for Writing in an Animated Television / Broadcast Production]]
| [[Charlie Kaufman]]
| {{pending}}
|-
! scope=row rowspan="3"| [[The Astra Awards|Astra TV Awards]]
| rowspan="3"| [[4th Astra TV Awards|December 8, 2024]]
| Best Animated Series or TV Movie
| ''Orion and the Dark''
| {{nom}}
| align=center rowspan="3"| <ref>{{Cite web |last=Anderson |first=Erik |date=July 9, 2024 |title=HCA Astra TV Awards Nominations: 'The Bear', 'Hacks', 'The Morning Show', 'Baby Reindeer' Lead Nominations |url=https://awardswatch.com/hca-astra-tv-awards-nominations-the-bear-hacks-the-morning-show-baby-reindeer-lead-nominations/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240711015642/https://awardswatch.com/hca-astra-tv-awards-nominations-the-bear-hacks-the-morning-show-baby-reindeer-lead-nominations/ |archive-date=July 11, 2024 |access-date=December 31, 2024 |website=AwardsWatch}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan="2"| Best Voice-Over Performance
| [[Jacob Tremblay]]
| {{nom}}
|-
| [[Paul Walter Hauser]]
| {{nom}}
|-
! scope=row rowspan="7"| [[Children's and Family Emmy Awards]]
| rowspan="7"| [[3rd Children's and Family Emmy Awards|March 15, 2025]]
| Outstanding Animated Special
| ''Orion and the Dark''
| {{pending}}
| align=center rowspan="7"| <ref>{{Cite web |last=Schneider |first=Michael |title=Children's & Family Emmys 2024 Nominations: 'Percy Jackson,' 'Sesame Street,' 'Spiderwick Chronicles' Lead; Ceremony Moves to March |url=https://variety.com/2024/tv/news/childrens-family-emmys-2023-nominations-full-list-2-1236246611/ |date=December 12, 2024 |access-date=December 31, 2024 |website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]}}</ref>
|-
| [[Children's and Family Emmy Award for Outstanding Voice Performance in an Animated Program|Outstanding Voice Performer in a Children's or Young Teen Program]]
| Paul Walter Hauser
| {{pending}}
|-
| [[Children's and Family Emmy Award for Outstanding Younger Voice Performer in an Animated or Preschool Animated Program|Outstanding Younger Voice Performer in an Animated or Preschool Animated Program]]
| Jacob Tremblay
| {{pending}}
|-
| Outstanding Casting for an Animated Program
| rowspan="4"| ''Orion and the Dark''
| {{pending}}
|-
| Outstanding Editing for an Animated Program
| {{pending}}
|-
| Outstanding Music Direction and Composition for an Animated Program
| {{pending}}
|-
| Outstanding Sound Editing and Sound Mixing for an Animated Program
| {{pending}}
|}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://www.dreamworks.com/movies/orion-and-the-dark Official website]
* {{Netflix title}}
* {{IMDb title|28066777}}

{{DreamWorks Animation}}
{{Netflix original animated series and films}}
{{Charlie Kaufman}}

[[Category:2024 comedy films]]
[[Category:2024 computer-animated films]]
[[Category:2024 directorial debut films]]
[[Category:2024 fantasy films]]
[[Category:2020s American animated films]]
[[Category:2020s children's animated films]]
[[Category:2020s children's comedy films]]
[[Category:2020s children's fantasy films]]
[[Category:2020s English-language films]]
[[Category:2020s fantasy comedy films]]
[[Category:American animated fantasy films]]
[[Category:American children's animated comedy films]]
[[Category:American computer-animated films]]
[[Category:American fantasy comedy films]]
[[Category:Animated films based on children's books]]
[[Category:Animated films set in the 1990s]]
[[Category:Animated films set in the future]]
[[Category:DreamWorks Animation animated films]]
[[Category:Films about dreams]]
[[Category:Films about fear]]
[[Category:Films set in 1995]]
[[Category:Films with screenplays by Charlie Kaufman]]
[[Category:English-language fantasy comedy films]]
[[Category:American nonlinear narrative films]]