Set to premiere in theaters nationwide on April 25, 2025, A24‘s latest offering, The Legend of Ochi, promises to deliver a unique blend of fantasy and adventure. Written and directed by Isaiah Saxon, this highly anticipated film features a notable cast, including Helena Zengel (News of the World, Transamazonia), Finn Wolfhard (Hell of A Summer, “Stranger Things”), Emily Watson (Small Things Like These, “Chernobyl”), and Willem Dafoe (Nosferatu, Poor Things), with a score composed by David Longstreth of Dirty Projectors.
The Legend of Ochi centers on Yuri, a young girl raised in a secluded northern village, where she is taught to fear the nocturnal forest creatures known as the ochi. When a baby ochi is abandoned by its pack, Yuri defies her upbringing and embarks on a perilous journey to return the creature to its family. The film, in its charming aesthetic and narrative approach, evokes a nostalgic throwback to classic 1980s adventure films such as The Neverending Story and The Dark Crystal. It employs a diverse range of visual techniques, including puppetry, animatronics, computer animation, and matte paintings, to bring its fantastical world to life. Notably, the titular ochi is realized through the collaborative efforts of seven puppeteers. Originally slated for a February 28, 2025 release, the film’s debut was postponed following a personal setback for Saxon, who lost his home in the Southern California wildfires. Prior to its theatrical release, The Legend of Ochi premiered at the Sundance Film Festival on January 26, 2025, generating significant buzz and anticipation.
With its blend of compelling narrative, impressive visual effects, a talented ensemble cast, and a clear homage to beloved fantasy films of the past, The Legend of Ochi is poised to captivate audiences. To offer a glimpse into the film’s enchanting world, here is the official trailer:
