The Legend of Ochi

The Legend of Ochi is a A24's attempt at an E. T. movie. It follows a little girl as she attempts to take a cute baby creature home while being pursued by her angry father and his band of boys who are trying to exterminate the creatures. There has been a lot of attempts to make an E. T. like movie before but what makes this attempt charming is all of the creatures are done by puppetry. I am a sucker for puppetry so I really like it. The creature also has a great designs. The cast is ok with Willem Dafoe playing the out of touch dad and the girl playing the weird quirky kid. She isn't annoying but she isn't likable either. Finn Wolfhard plays the adoptive brother who has nothing to work with and is kinda an afterthought. The chemistry of the girl and the creature is good but unfortunately they take a decent size break in the middle of the movie so you never really get emotionally invested in their relationship. The creature is cute though so I enjoyed all the scenes it was in. Overall it's an ok sweet kid and its creature feature but nothing too memorable.

I had the opportunity to attend an early screening of The Legend of Ochi ahead of its theatrical release this Friday. The film offers a unique and imaginative premise, blending fantasy elements with a heartfelt narrative. The use of practical effects, such as puppetry, and the choice of real-world locations contribute to its distinctive visual style, reminiscent of classic 1980s fantasy films.

However, I found the pacing to be slower than anticipated, which affected my overall engagement with the story. While there are moments of humor that provide relief, the film's deliberate tempo may not resonate with all viewers. Additionally, some night scenes appeared overly dark, making it challenging to discern details, though other scenes were visually striking.

Despite these aspects, I appreciate the film's ambition and the creative efforts behind its production. I sincerely hope The Legend of Ochi finds its audience and enjoys a successful run upon release.

There are some films that come into your life quietly and leave a lasting impression without needing to shout. The Legend of Ochi is one of those rare experiences - a film that takes its time, trusts its audience, and speaks with a language beyond words.

From the first frame, it's clear you're in for something visually stunning. The landscapes, the creatures, the attention to natural detail - it all feels alive. There's a quiet magic to it, something elemental and earthy, yet dreamlike. The storytelling unfolds with elegance, often letting silence and expression say more than any line of dialogue could.

At its heart, this is a story about connection, about family - not just the one you're born into, but the one you find and fight for. It reminded us how powerful quiet moments can be, how deep emotions can surface with just a look, a gesture, or a shared breath. It moved us in unexpected ways, and yes, we did shed a tear.

The little creature - Ochi - is pure wonder. Gentle, expressive, and adorable without being overly cutesy. It plays a real role in the story, not just as a sidekick, but as a symbol of understanding and harmony in a world that feels fractured.

While not everything was perfect, and there were moments that could've been tighter or more fully explored, the overall experience was deeply worthwhile. This film means a lot to us - not just because of what happens on screen, but because of what it stirred within us. We left the theater feeling grateful. Grateful for family, for art that dares to be different, and for stories that whisper instead of roar.

It's a beautiful journey. One we're glad we took.

Once again, the world is introduced to a supremely cute and photogenic creature meant to evoke child-like joy. The only difference is, this isn't some E. T. knock-off, but more like a dark Disney film from the early 80s.

Filled with dark imagery, ominous music and some deep themes about parental control and relationships, The Legend of Ochi gives us a sense of fear, joy and triumph amidst the backdrop of the Carpathian Mountains. It's rare to see this kind of movie made these days, especially since the hyper reality of the film's world has a touch of Wes Anderson. Fortunately, the film doesn't go too hard in that department as the world feels a little more real than Anderson's sensibilities.

Overall, the story starts out pretty strong, giving us a very good foundation to focus on. However, it's the muddled middle where the problems begin. A couple of overly convenient contrivances occur, and while they were certainly meant to move the story quicker, it was still jarring in their sudden entrance.

The only other complaint was sometimes the VFX shots didn't look convincing, but this was a low budget movie and they did a good job considering their limitations. Overall, I found the film to be a joy and interesting to look at, which is fine from time to time.

One of the most visually interesting movies I've seen in a while. They certainly went for the nostalgia vibe, giving an 80s feel to the scenery. Plot was a bit boring for me, a tad predictable, but still enjoyable. I'm not sure if it was an issue for just my theater or an issue with the sound production, but it was incredibly loud throughout yet dialogue remained soft. I found myself covering my ears in many parts due to the overwhelmingly high-pitched sounds of the ochi and the background score and sounds just to be struggling to hear many of the characters when they spoke. Props for using an orchestral score. It was beautiful regardless of volume and added to the warm ambiance of the movie. Warming to those sensitive to loud and high-pitched sounds, you may not want to see this one in theaters.