In Orion and the Dark, 11-year-old Orion faces his irrational fears with the unexpected help of Dark, the embodiment of his deepest dread. Directed by Sean Charmatz, the film follows Orion as he grapples with anxiety about rejection by his crush, Sally, and a myriad of other fears.

After a blackout, Dark appears in Orion’s bedroom and offers to show him the wonders of nighttime to help him overcome his fears. Reluctant at first, Orion embarks on a journey with Dark and encounters various nighttime entities like Sleep, Insomnia, Quiet, Unexplained Noises, and Sweet Dreams.

As they travel, Orion learns to confront and befriend his fears, but a comment about preferring light to darkness causes the night entities to abandon their duties, leaving Dark alone and vulnerable.

As Orion’s journey unfolds, it is revealed that he is recounting the story to his daughter, Hypatia, in an effort to help her with her own fears. The narrative takes a poignant turn as Hypatia suggests a new ending, leading to a touching resolution where Orion, with Hypatia’s help, learns to confront his fears and restore balance to the world.

The film ultimately delivers a heartfelt message about courage, acceptance, and the power of confronting one’s fears.

Where to Watch

At the time of this post, Orion and the Dark is available to watch via Netflix through subscription.