Where Wonder Meets Whimsy… Then Takes a Strange Detour
When I first caught wind that A24 was backing The Legend of Ochi, my curiosity piqued faster than you can say “indie fantasy epic.” With the wizardry of Willem Dafoe and a mystical creature at the heart of it all, I expected a rich, sprawling adventure akin to The Green Knight with a touch of Studio Ghibli. What I got, however, was something far stranger, both enchanting and uneven — like wandering into a beautifully illustrated storybook missing a few pages.
A Wordless Bond in a Wild World
The film introduces us to a girl named Ochi (played by News of the World’s Helena Zengel), who escapes her isolated life to connect with mystical beasts in a landscape teeming with secrets. Ochi’s journey isn’t told through much dialogue — it’s a cinematic language of glances, nature, and myth. You’re either mesmerised… or left scratching your head.
Director’s Vision: Isaiah Saxon’s Dreamscape
Isaiah Saxon, previously known for his surreal music videos, crafts a visually poetic world that feels hand-carved from folklore. This is his feature debut, and his devotion to practical effects and painterly aesthetics deserves praise. The Carpathian landscapes are breathtaking. Yet, for all the visual richness, the pacing often falters — lingering shots that feel more indulgent than immersive.
Performances: Whispers and Weight
Helena Zengel’s wordless performance brings a quiet ferocity to the screen. She anchors the film emotionally, while Willem Dafoe, as an enigmatic wizard-father figure, brings his usual unpredictable intensity. Emily Watson and Finn Wolfhard round out the cast with roles that feel more symbolic than narrative-driving — but then again, that may be the point.
Cinematic Flourish Meets Narrative Fog
The cinematography is a stunner. Lush forests, golden fog, and stone temples give the film an almost tactile atmosphere. But the story’s spiritual metaphors can become so abstract that the emotional arc gets lost in translation. It’s more of a mood than a plot.
Audience Reactions: USA vs. UK
British audiences, especially those fond of arthouse cinema and folklore-laced storytelling, have generally admired the film’s visual originality — even if some left the cinema unsure of what they’d just witnessed. In contrast, American viewers have been more divided: some praising its ambition, others calling it "slow" or "confusing." The lack of conventional exposition didn’t go down smoothly across the pond.
Final Verdict
The Legend of Ochi isn’t your next family fantasy classic — it’s a contemplative, often cryptic visual poem. If you’re drawn to the odd and the atmospheric, it may linger with you like a half-remembered dream. But if you’re after clarity or fast-paced storytelling, this may feel like a wild goose chase through the woods.
Pros & Cons
+ Breathtaking visual design
+ Zengel’s committed performance
+ Original world-building
– Sparse dialogue, may alienate some
– Meandering plot structure
– Emotional payoff feels muted
- IMDb Rating: 6.4/10
- Budget: Estimated $25 million
- Metacritic Score: Not yet available
