Orion and the Dark

Orion’s story is ultimately about facing fears and finding confidence. In the film, he begins as a very scared boy, terrified of almost everything, especially darkness. When a storm causes a power outage, the darkness actually comes to life as a friendly entity named Dark, who wants to prove that he’s not as frightening as people think. Dark takes Orion on an adventure through the night, introducing him to other nighttime entities and showing him that darkness is not inherently bad. However, when Orion’s fears lead him to interfere with the natural work of these entities, Dark chooses to give himself up to Light in his sadness, which causes chaos in the world because darkness is necessary for balance.

Realizing the importance of darkness, Orion and the other entities decide to bring Dark back. The story is framed as a tale Orion tells his daughter Hypatia as an adult, illustrating how stories and childhood fears can be a way of processing and overcoming anxiety. Hypatia helps her father complete the story by entering his dream and helping Dark return, symbolizing how confronting our fears can bring relief and balance. In the end, Orion, now confident, asks his parents for permission to go on the school trip, and he sits happily beside Sally, showing how he has grown from a fearful boy into a brave young man who understands the value of both light and dark. The closing twist reveals that the story was being told by adult Hypatia to her son Tycho, her future son, linking the generations and emphasizing that everyone’s fears can be eased through understanding, love, and stories. In this way, the film ends on a hopeful note, suggesting that facing fears and sharing stories can help us find courage and harmony within ourselves.

Last Updated: June 25, 2025 at 09:02