2025 – Fantasy Adventure – Rated PG – 1hr 35min
On the GIANT screen with 17-speaker ULTRA surround sound
The Legend of Ochi is a 2025 American fantasy adventure film marking the feature directorial debut of Isaiah Saxon, who also wrote the original screenplay. Set on the fictional island of Carpathia, the film follows Yuri, a young farm girl played by Helena Zengel, who defies her village’s fear of the mythical Ochi creatures to reunite a wounded baby Ochi with its family. The stellar cast includes Willem Dafoe as Maxim, Yuri’s father and a fervent Ochi hunter, Emily Watson as Dasha, Yuri’s estranged mother, and Finn Wolfhard as Petro, Maxim’s adopted son. Shot in Romania’s stunning Transylvania region, the film blends practical puppetry, animatronics, and matte paintings to create a tactile, nostalgic world reminiscent of 1980s classics like The NeverEnding Story and E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial.
Critics have praised the film’s enchanting visuals and heartfelt storytelling, with Brian Tallerico of RogerEbert.com describing it as “a charming throwback to adventure movies of the ‘80s like The Neverending Story and The Dark Crystal, complete with original puppetry that reportedly contains not an ounce of CGI manipulation.” The film’s $10 million budget belies its rich production design, with the baby Ochi puppet, operated by seven performers, stealing hearts as a Grogu-like creature. Premiering at the Sundance Film Festival on January 26, 2025, and released widely by A24 on April 25, The Legend of Ochi has earned a 78% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, celebrated for its family-friendly wonder and innovative craftsmanship.