The visual artistry in The Legend of Ochi is so accomplished that it could serve as a lesson for studios accustomed to relying heavily on CGI.
Writer-director Isaiah Saxon and his team have crafted this children's fantasy film using a blend of techniques. While reminiscent of the puppetry, matte paintings, and practical effects common in 1980s family films, The Legend of Ochi also incorporates digital effects. Initial reactions to the trailer even led some to mistakenly believe that its world-building was achieved through generative AI. However, the film's impressive visuals are the result of combining non-AI techniques with location shooting in Romania, creating an immersive experience that could inspire those weary of excessive CGI.
The film is set on Carpathia, a fictional island in the Black Sea, portraying a setting that blends elements of a centuries-old village with a contemporary small town, featuring both natural forests and a modern minimart. In this isolated environment, Maxim (Willem Dafoe) trains young boys to hunt the Ochi, creatures believed to be dangerous to local farms. However, Maxim's daughter, Yuri (Helena Zengel), discovers a baby Ochi and realizes that it is not inherently dangerous. Yuri decides to help the creature and return it to its family.
Among the film's visual effects, the Ochi puppet stands out as particularly well-designed, evoking comparisons to Gizmo from Gremlins and Grogu from The Mandalorian. The filmmakers balance the creature's cuteness with animalistic instincts, making it both adorable and believable. Yuri becomes the Ochi's protector, with Zengel's performance bringing a serious presence to the screen. Emily Watson appears as Yuri's estranged mother.
The Legend of Ochi also shares some less positive qualities with 1980s classics. While the film's visual creativity is notable, some viewers may find the pacing slow at times. Although the acting is strong, particularly with Dafoe and Watson, the film's momentum wanes during Yuri and the Ochi's journey through the wilderness, preventing it from reaching a strong emotional climax.
While Saxon avoids excessive anthropomorphism of the Ochi, this also results in a slightly detached emotional core. Despite Yuri and the creature's clear bond, the film lacks a definitive emotional bonding scene. One notable moment occurs when Yuri discovers she can communicate with the Ochi through birdcall-like sounds, a skill her mother has also studied.
This moment of intergenerational, cross-species understanding is presented more as a technical achievement than an emotional one, which is characteristic of the film as a whole. The film's strength lies in its craftsmanship rather than the central relationship between the human and creature. While this may prevent it from reaching the emotional heights of films like ET, it distinguishes itself from many contemporary children's films that overly manipulate audience reactions. The film suggests that genuine awe can be sufficient.
- The Legend of Ochi was released in New York and LA on April 18, and nationwide in the US and in the UK on April 25, with an Australian release date to be announced.
