Orion and the Dark — New Official Trailer

added: Thu, Jan 11th '24

Here's an unexpected addition to your 2024 bingo card: a Charlie Kaufman-penned animated fantasy comedy for Netflix. It's a tale that revolves around a timid young boy who strikes up an unlikely friendship with the personification of darkness.

"Orion and the Dark," produced by the team behind "How to Train Your Dragon," features the voice talents of Jacob Tremblay ("Room" and "Good Boys") as Orion, the young boy, and Paul Walter Hauser ("Richard Jewell," "I, Tonya," and "Black Bird") as Dark, a mysterious cloaked figure representing the darkness that children often fear.

In this animated movie, for which a new full trailer has been released, the character "Dark" is portrayed as an overworked individual with an incredibly busy schedule. In an unexpected twist, Dark invites Orion to join in and witness its nightly responsibilities, leading to a truly unforgettable and adventurous night.

Produced by DreamWorks Animation, this Netflix animated film is an adaptation of the award-winning children's book of the same name by Emma Yarlett. The movie is directed by Sean Charmatz, known for his work on "Trolls Holiday in Harmony." Academy Award Winner Charlie Kaufman ("Being John Malkovich," "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind," and "Anomalisa") has penned the adapted screenplay.

The cast also includes the distinctive voice of German-born filmmaker Werner Herzog, who narrates the film. Other notable voice actors include Colin Hanks, Ike Barinholtz, Angela Bassett, Natasia Demetriou, Nat Faxon, Golda Rosheuvel, Aparna Nancherla, Matt Dellapina, and Carla Gugino.

"Orion and the Dark" is set to premiere on Netflix on February 2nd, offering a heartwarming and imaginative animated experience for viewers of all ages. Watch the new official trailer, above.

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, even falling off 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 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. Based on the book by Emma Yarlett and written by Charlie Kaufman (I'm Thinking of Ending Things), DreamWorks Animation's Orion and the Dark tells a story about looking what scares you in the eye -- and realizing it may not be that frightening after all.

directed by Sean Charmatz

starring Jacob Tremblay, Paul Walter Hauser, Werner Herzog, Colin Hanks, Ike Barinholtz, Angela Bassett, Natasia Demetriou, Nat Faxon, Golda Rosheuvel, Aparna Nancherla, Matt Dellapina, Carla Gugino

release date February 2, 2024 (on Netflix)

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Orion and the Dark