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Geek Vibes Nation
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Geek Vibes Nation
A24 To Release The Wondrous Family Adventure 'The Legend Of Ochi' On Blu-Ray This July
A24 has just announced that they will be releasing director Isaiah Saxon's lushly handcrafted adventure The Legend of Ochi in a special Blu-Ray Collector's Edition that is expected to ship in July 2025, exclusively from the A24 Shop. The film stars Helena Zengel, Willem Dafoe, Finn Wolfhard, and Emily Watson. The release will come with a Dolby Atmos track and new special features including a commentary track, featurettes, and more. Get more details below! Synopsis: In a remote village on the island of Carpathia, a shy girl is raised to fear an elusive animal species known as ochi. But when she discovers a wounded baby ochi has been left behind, she escapes on a quest to bring him home. Special features: Commentary with Writer-Director Isaiah Saxon 'The Ochi Quest' Behind-the-Scenes Featurette Deleted Scene: Emily Watson's 'Singing Bird' Six Collectible Postcards with Behind-the-Scenes Photography by Alexandru Ionita This is the latest of many Collector's Editions from A24. Which of their films would you like to see get this treatment next? Let us know in the comments or over on Twitter.
Newsweek
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
The Legend of Ochi Gets New Digital Release Date
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Entertainment gossip and news from Newsweek's network of contributors The Legend of Ochi starring Helena Zengel, Willem Dafoe, Emily Watson, and Finn Wolfhard crept into theaters in April and made an impact on critics who gave it a Certified Fresh rating of 77% on Rotten Tomatoes. The sweet family film may have missed you while it was at the box office, but have no fear, it is now available to watch on digital, and even is heading to 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray this summer. Helena Zengel in The Legend of Ochi, now available to watch digitally. Helena Zengel in The Legend of Ochi, now available to watch digitally. Courtesy of A24 READ: Snow White Gets New Digital Release Date – How to Watch With plenty of options on how to watch The Legend of Ochi available, we've put together a guide that includes details on where to watch The Legend of Ochi, as well as The Legend of Ochi digital release date, and The Legend of Ochi streaming information. The Legend of Ochi – How to Watch The Legend of Ochi is now available to rent or buy across Video on Demand platforms. You can purchase it on places such as Fandango at Home, YouTube, and Google Play for $19.99 to rent and $24.99 to buy. Where Can I Watch The Legend of Ochi? The Legend of Ochi is now available to watch digitally. You can rent or buy the film from Video on Demand platforms. The Legend of Ochi is also available for pre-order on physical media in the 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray formats. The Legend of Ochi Physical Release Date The Legend of Ochi is now available for pre-order in 4K Ultra HD and Blu-ray formats from the A24 shop. The listing says copies are expected to ship in July. Bonus features include: Commentary with Writer-Director Isaiah Saxon "The Ochi Quest" Behind-the-Scenes Featurette Deleted Scene: Emily Watson's "Singing Bird" Six Collectible Postcards with Behind-the-Scenes Photography by Alexandru Ionita Bonus features may vary depending on format and retailer. The Legend of Ochi Digital Release Date The Legend of Ochi will be available to watch digitally from May 20, 2025. Is The Legend of Ochi Available to Stream in the US? The Legend of Ochi is not yet available on any streaming services in the US. Due to the exclusive streaming deal between HBO, Max, and A24, The Legend of Ochi will likely be available to stream on Max in the coming months. What Is The Legend of Ochi About? The official synopsis for The Legend of Ochi, as per A24, reads: In a remote village on the island of Carpathia, a shy farm girl named Yuri is raised to fear an elusive animal species known as ochi. But when Yuri discovers a wounded baby ochi has been left behind, she escapes on a quest to bring him home.
Los Angeles Times
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Los Angeles Times
A new fantasy film offers a vision for how Californians can coexist with other large mammals
As Californians increasingly contend with living among wolves, black bears and mountain lions, an offbeat new fantasy movie reflects many state residents' anxieties about their proximity to wildlife 'The Legend of Ochi,' released in U.S. theaters on April 25 and available to stream starting May 20, follows one tween's quest to return an injured blue-faced baby primate to its home. Twelve-year-old Yuri's (Helena Zengel) Eastern European community, on the fictional island of Carpathia, has long warred with the fictional animals — called ochi. (Her dad Maxim, played by Willem Dafoe, is a fervent ochi-hater.) Bucking the inherited notion that ochi are vicious creatures to be destroyed, Yuri finds she has more in common with the creatures than she was taught to believe. Healing the bond between the species also helps her heal bonds within her own species — that of her immediate family. Isaiah Saxon, raised in Aptos, Calif., wrote and directed the film, and watching it, it's easy to find links to issues facing Californians today. The state is home to what may be the densest population of black bears in the world, a growing number of gray wolves and ample mountain lions in some regions. Not all residents are happy about it. Beginning in the 1970s, a sea change in state and federal policy allowed large predators to make a comeback across California. Meanwhile, humans have expanded into wild areas while a changing climate can drive animals into the path of people. The increased overlap of man and beast has led to an increase in conflict, according to California wildlife officials. Ranchers in rural pockets of the state who lose cattle to wolves fear for their livelihood, and a couple told The Times they want to be able to shoot some of the protected canids — to teach them a lesson. Siskiyou and Lassen County leaders are calling on the state to do something about the economic toll the wolves are taking on ranchers, and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife recently approved stronger harassment methods, including assaulting the animals with noise from drones. Galvanized by recent lethal animal attacks — including the state's first fatality linked to a black bear in 2023 — California lawmakers have called for harsher methods to ward off wildlife. A state bill originally aiming to allow El Dorado County to use hounds to chase away mountain lions passed a state Senate committee last month, but was changed to lose the dogs. It would now require the state wildlife department to enhance a conflict reduction program in part by engaging in public outreach and offering grant funding for measures to protect livestock. A similar bill permitting the use of dogs to chase black bears away from places where humans decide the bears are unwanted died in a state Assembly committee last month but was granted reconsideration — an opportunity for another vote next year. But many Californians believe in a different kind of coexistence — one that often centers the rights of animals to inhabit their native territory. Speaking to The Times, Saxon said California's wildlife anxieties weren't consciously on his mind when he created 'Legend of Ochi,' but parallels between the imaginary world of his debut feature film and his home state emerged during a phone interview. Saxon, who grew up in the redwood forests of Santa Cruz County, recalled a 'constant fear of mountain lions' in the community where he was raised. There was also a fervent believer in Sasquatch and a museum in Santa Cruz dedicated to the hirsute, mythical creature. The 42-year-old recalled being told that 'If I wandered off into the woods, far enough away from our house, then Sasquatch or mountain lions, or, you know, real adventure and a real kind of sense of magic [awaited] in the forest. So I think that was somehow deep in me when I was coming up with this story.' In the mountains he hails from, the community often breaks down into 'hippies or rednecks,' said Saxon. The way he describes it, those are crude terms for a more nuanced community divide: 'people who want to live symbiotically with nature, and then people who want to use force against it.' When he was about 6 years old, he'd visit his best friend's family at a nearby property where he'd see them shooting blue jays for sport. Then he'd return to his home of vegetarians. Later on in life, he'd see the same dichotomy play out elsewhere in California. Saxon moved to L.A. about a decade ago, and, until the Eaton fire burned his house down, lived in Altadena. Shortly before moving to the foothills community about two and a half years ago, he heard that some of his would-be neighbors had illegally shot a mountain lion accused of slaughtering animals in the neighborhood, including all the goats on the farm next to what would become his home. Similar acts of vigilante justice animate his film. An opening montage includes a bloodied sheep ostensibly mauled by an ochi. Sometimes the primates bite when afraid. In one scene, Maxim reminds a ragtag gang of young boys he's trying to raise into skilled hunters what they're fighting for: Their families have lost geese, cats, livestock, a sense of safety. Saxon said he understands the impulse to violently retaliate against an animal that's caused damage, but ultimately stands against it. 'It's a spiritual choice to not just remove that animal from that situation,' he said. 'And by that, what I mean is that you would have to have a respect for the sentience and experience of that mountain lion to not choose to solve it that way.' The goal of the film, Saxon said, was not just to advocate for not killing wild animals that live near humans. 'It's not just 'let's not destroy them.' It's 'we would be better off if we learned from them,'' he said. In Saxon's childhood home, Jane Goodall was one of three agreed-upon patron saints. (The others were the Dalai Lama and the Beatles.) And in a recent conversation with Goodall on A24's podcast, he described his debut feature film as 'a critique of anthropocentrism.' The films reveals the ochi can do things people can't, like communicating through sensations. And they defy their caricature of red-eyed, bloodthirsty beasts. Sporting globular dark eyes and fuzzy, caramel-colored fur, the baby ochi — a physical puppet that has been likened to a Gremlin and Baby Yoda — is quite cute. Saxon imbued Yuri's parents with polarized views on wildlife. Maxim sees humans as apex beings with a right to control the environment. Dasha, Yuri's mother (played by Emily Watson), has dedicated her life to studying the ochi, but — according to Saxon — accepts that nature can sometimes be beyond the grasp of human conception. Whisper-voiced Yuri acts as an audience avatar, not yet solidified in her values but figuring them out on her own. 'My hope with the film is that kids can enter in as curiously and open-mindedly as Yuri is in the film, and make up their own minds and not let adults stand in the way of what they think is right and true,' Saxon said. Children's movies featuring animals often reinforce stereotypes that predatory animals are inherently evil. For example, consider the Disney classic 'The Little Mermaid' (1989) or the 2004 DreamWorks film 'Shark Tale,' both of which show the sharks as menacing, notes a blog for the UC Davis Animal Behavior Graduate Groups. Or Disney's 'Frozen,' from 2013, where wolves gnash as they pursue the heroine. There are exceptions and it can get messy. 'The Lion King,' the 1994 Disney blockbuster, features an apex predator (the titular lion) as the hero — but he has to change his behavior to eat grubs as part of his hero's journey. Meanwhile, the primary villain is another lion who stays a predator. Amaroq Weiss, senior wolf advocate for the Center for Biological Diversity, a nonprofit dedicated to protecting endangered animals, believes positive narratives about predators are key at a moment in which people and wildlife are increasingly overlapping, driven by human development and a climate change. 'For people who live in towns and cities who are now getting to meet the wild neighbors and not knowing much about them, that's an easy way to just immediately form a fearful impression of them,' she said, 'which why it's even more important … that we do get the message out to people as as young and early as possible.'
Washington Post
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Washington Post
What parents need to know about ‘The Legend of Ochi' and more
Age 11+ Fantastic beast fantasy has creepy moments and language. Somewhat reminiscent of 'E.T.,' this imaginative fantasy adventure follows our young protagonist, Yuri (Helena Zengel), in a remote mountain village. Her father trains the villagers' sons to fight the Ochi, beasts believed to be dangerous and deadly. (We see illustrations of bloody corpses and a wide shot of a sheep carcass). Yuri is the only girl in a group of boys who hunt Ochi with rifles, pistols, knives, axes and spears — and she's also the only one to realize that the creature she's been taught to fear isn't actually dangerous. An adult character smokes throughout and offers a puff to a child, and there's a mention of someone drinking too much. Infrequent language includes 'b-----d,' 'goddamn' and 's---.' The movie has clear themes of friendship, independence and family, and characters demonstrate communication, compassion, curiosity, integrity and perseverance. (96 minutes)
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Willem Dafoe, Finn Wolfhard, and Helena Zengel Star in The Legend of Ochi—And the Trailer is Pure Magic
A24 is set to transport audiences into a breathtaking new world with The Legend of Ochi, a fantasy adventure directed by Isaiah Saxon in his highly anticipated feature debut. Described as 'a new fantasy adventure classic' by Collider, the film is already drawing comparisons to beloved 1980s classics like The NeverEnding Story and The Dark Crystal, thanks to its rich world-building, emotional depth, and practical effects. Set for theatrical release on April 25, 2025, The Legend of Ochi follows a young girl's journey of self-discovery as she ventures beyond the boundaries of her home to reunite a mythical creature with its kind. With an all-star cast including Helena Zengel, Willem Dafoe, Finn Wolfhard, and Emily Watson and a bold commitment to practical effects over CGI, the film is shaping up to be a visually stunning, emotionally compelling cinematic event. Set on the remote and mystical island of Carpathia, The Legend of Ochi follows Yuri (Helena Zengel), a shy farm girl who has been raised to fear an elusive species known as the ochi, enigmatic creatures rumored to possess supernatural abilities. But everything changes when Yuri discovers a wounded baby ochi, abandoned and vulnerable. Rather than succumbing to the fear instilled in her by the village elders, she chooses a different path, one of empathy and courage. Determined to reunite the creature with its kind, Yuri embarks on a perilous journey beyond the only world she has ever known. What follows is an adventure filled with danger, wonder, and self-discovery as Yuri encounters breathtaking landscapes, ancient secrets, and powerful forces that challenge everything she believed to be true. The film is expected to deliver an emotional coming-of-age story wrapped in the grandeur of classic fantasy filmmaking. 'This is the kind of film we don't see anymore, a fantasy epic that feels both deeply personal and boundlessly imaginative.' – Variety One of the most exciting aspects of The Legend of Ochi is its stellar cast, featuring acclaimed actors known for their ability to bring rich, complex characters to life. Helena Zengel (News of the World, System Crasher) as Yuri, the courageous young protagonist. Willem Dafoe (The Lighthouse, Spider-Man) as Maxim, a mysterious figure whose knowledge of the ochi could change everything. Finn Wolfhard (Stranger Things, It) as Petro, a companion on Yuri's journey. Emily Watson (Chernobyl, Breaking the Waves) as Dasha, a key figure in the village who represents the traditional fears and beliefs about the ochi. This powerful ensemble, paired with Saxon's visionary direction, ensures that the film will be as emotionally compelling as it is visually stunning. What truly sets The Legend of Ochi apart from modern fantasy films is its commitment to practical effects and handcrafted artistry. Rather than relying on CGI, director Isaiah Saxon opted for intricate puppetry and animatronics to create the ochi creatures, giving them a tangible, otherworldly presence on screen. A team of seven performers operated the puppets, breathing life into these mythical beings in a way that feels both organic and immersive. This decision was heavily influenced by classic fantasy films like Jim Henson's The Dark Crystal, which used similar techniques to create a world that felt authentic and tactile. The use of real locations instead of green-screen-heavy digital environments further reinforces the film's grounded, old-school fantasy aesthetic. To bring Carpathia to life, filming took place in the rugged landscapes of Romania, specifically in the Apuseni Mountains, near Bâlea Lake, and along the breathtaking Transfăgărășa road. These majestic, untouched landscapes provide the perfect backdrop for the film's epic journey. 'Every frame of The Legend of Ochi looks like a painting. Isaiah Saxon's vision is unlike anything else in modern fantasy cinema.' – The Legend of Ochi had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival on January 26, 2025, where it stunned audiences and critics alike. Critics have already hailed the film as a 'visually breathtaking achievement', with Brian Tallerico of comparing it to 'the grand adventure films of the 1980s.' He highlighted its handcrafted aesthetic, emotionally resonant story, and immersive world-building, calling it 'a triumph of cinematic imagination.' Variety's Carlos Aguilar noted that the film's practical effects give it an unparalleled sense of magic and realism, making audiences feel as if they are stepping into a forgotten myth. He praised Saxon's ability to craft a world that feels both timeless and fresh, writing 'Few modern films make you wonder how they were made. This is one of them. And the answer only makes it more impressive.' – Variety Despite the overwhelming praise, some critics have pointed out that the film's slow-burn pacing and lack of heavy exposition may not appeal to all audiences. Vulture described it as 'a mesmerizing but at times frustrating experience,' particularly for those accustomed to faster-paced, exposition-heavy fantasy storytelling. With its stunning cinematography, unforgettable practical effects, and profoundly emotional storytelling, The Legend of Ochi is poised to become one of the most talked-about fantasy films of the decade. For fans of classic adventure films, this is a rare chance to experience a movie that recaptures the magic of old-school fantasy storytelling while bringing something new to the genre. Isaiah Saxon's directorial debut is not to be missed for those craving original, visionary filmmaking. Catch The Legend of Ochi in theaters everywhere on April 25, 2025. The post Willem Dafoe, Finn Wolfhard, and Helena Zengel Star in The Legend of Ochi—And the Trailer is Pure Magic appeared first on Where Is The Buzz | Breaking News, Entertainment, Exclusive Interviews & More.
