As genre aficionados slowly recover from the overuse of the "elevated horror" label that's dominated the past decade, A24, the pioneer of this fictitious yet prestigious subgenre with masterpieces like 'Hereditary' and 'The Witch,' remains unfazed and forges ahead. Their latest cinematic offering, 'The Legend of Ochi,' is a testament to their unwavering strategy—a pure fantasy narrative, elevated solely by a palpable commitment to empowering filmmakers to unleash their eccentric, enchanting visions. In this enchanting tale, it means embarking on an adventure with a delightful, cuddly protagonist.
Starring the talented German actress Helena Zengel as Yuri, 'The Legend of Ochi' introduces us to a breathtakingly remote mountain village where Yuri resides, warned never to venture beyond its borders after sunset. Lurking in the forests that encircle this idyllic haven are the ochi, mysterious creatures that pose a dire threat to humanity. However, when Yuri's life intersects with a baby ochi, her world is irrevocably transformed, and a lush, wondrous odyssey unfolds.
At the helm of this fantastical journey is Isaiah Saxon, a visionary music video director and animator whose oeuvre spans from creator-driven endeavors on DIY.org to crafting awe-inspiring visuals for Dirty Projectors. Deeply rooted in nature and being, Saxon's artistic DNA infuses 'The Legend of Ochi' with a fresh, multi-media palette, breathing new life into kid-friendly fantasy. The trailer tantalizes with echoes of 'Moonrise Kingdom,' 'E.T.,' and 'The Green Knight,' all seasoned with a dash of Willem Dafoe's iconic presence. Rounding out the star-studded cast are Finn Wolfhard and Emily Watson, promising a captivating ensemble.
A24's vision is clear: a modern studio needs a blend of mainstream hits and solid intellectual properties to sustain its creative momentum. They're already charting new territories with a 'Death Stranding' film adaptation and tapping into the horror genre's resurgence with "elevated" content. Delving into the seemingly lost art of all-ages fantasy seems like a natural progression for this daring collective, determined to prove that the magic of storytelling, old-school style, is alive and well. In an era where Jim Henson's generation of creators lament the state of Hollywood, claiming that a modern 'Labyrinth' would be impossible to produce, 'The Legend of Ochi' begs to differ. Perhaps, just perhaps, the impossible is possible after all.
'The Legend of Ochi' soars into theaters on February 28th, ready to captivate audiences of all ages with its heartwarming tale of bravery, friendship, and the unbreakable bond between human and beast.
