Orion and the Dark follows a young boy with an abundance of fears, the dark being his chief one. Anxiety, insecurity, and immaturity are themes often tackled in animated films, but none have been written by Charlie Kaufman. His frankness is refreshing as he adequately writes from a child's perspective without condescension. His writing, based on the book by Emma Yarlett, also perfectly suits the concept of a precocious 11-year-old who is very smart but paralyzed by fear. There is a sincerity to the story that offers a touching connection to the bright and intelligent Orion.
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