Netflix has shared the trailer and poster for the animated feature film Orion and the Dark, which will begin streaming on the service on February 2, 2024.
In 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 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 –– stop letting fear control his life and finally embrace the joy of living.
DreamWorks Animation‘s Orion and the Dark was directed by Sean Charmatz from a script by Charlie Kaufman. The film is based on the book of the same name by Emma Yarlett.
The producer is Peter McCown, and the executive producers include Walt Dohrn and Bonnie Arnold.
The voice cast includes Jacob Tremblay as Orion, Paul Walter Hauser as Dark, Angela Bassett as Dreams, Colin Hanks as Adult Orion, Natasia Demetriou as Sleep, Golda Rosheuvel as Unexplained Noises, Nat Faxon as Insomnia, and Aparna Nancherla as Quiet.
The cast also includes Ike Barinholtz as Light, Carla Gugino as Orion’s Mom, Matt Dellapina as Orion’s Dad, Nick Kishiyama as Tycho, Mia Akemi Brown as Hypatia, Shannon Chan-Kent as Adult Hypatia, Jack Fisher as Richi Panichi, and Werner Herzog as the narrator.
“This film is great for all ages because so many different dynamics are represented. You have your introverts and your extroverts coming together. You have the child’s point of view and the parents’,” said Paul Walter Hauser.
“I’m a father, I watch movies with my sons all the time, and I’m always looking for movies that are elevated like this. I think parents will see themselves reflected as much as the kids.”
Jacob Tremblay added: “I’m hoping that kids who struggle with the same fears as Orion can learn that it’s okay to be scared, but it’s also really important to go out of your comfort zone and explore the unknown.
“And, I think it’s really important to be scared of some things – that just means you’re going to take them seriously.”
Mirko Parlevliet has been reporting on the entertainment industry since 1998 and founded Vital Thrills in 2018 to cover the latest news on streaming, movies, TV, and video games.