Film Review: ‘The Legend of Ochi’ is a Visually Captivating Fantasy with a Handcrafted Feel

It’s hard to watch The Legend of Ochi and not come away very impressed by its production value. For a relatively tiny sum of money, the film presents a fantastical version of the 1980s that looks closer to the 1880s at times. Plus, there’s a clever and cuddly little critter at the center of the flick. It all goes towards crafting a family friendly fantasy adventure, effectively too, which is huge considering the story itself leaves something to be desired.

The Legend of Ochi is sort of like what might have happened if Jim Henson had been able to make a weirder indie film with Amblin, or if Hayao Miyazaki and Studio Ghibli had gotten a chance to do a live-action feature. Henson and Miyazaki would have made more memorable works overall, but this still is a creative vision with enough going in its favor to warrant a light recommendation.

A period piece set in a remote village on the island of Carpathia, we see how humans live in fear of a fantastical species of animal known as ochi. For pre-teen farm girl Yuri (Helena Zengel), she has been raised to fear and hate them. In fact, her father Maxim (Willem Dafoe) has told her and her adopted older brother Petro (Finn Wolfhard) that an ochi killed her mother. He takes his children on an ochi hunt, which sets off our adventure.

While the men are hunting ochi, Yuri discovers a wounded young one that has been left behind and separated from its mother. Initially caught in a trap, the ochi needs a little tending to from Yuri, and in short order, a bond begins to form. So, she begins a quest to bring the little critter home. It will take her around Carpathia, while Maxim becomes paranoid about the danger of the ochi. Both will also come into contact with Dasha (Emily Watson), who has an unexpected history with them.

Helena Zengel does a good job bonding with her puppet co-star, lending the relationship more than exists on the page. Zengel has a presence about her that fits for the fantasy setting, so that helps too. Willem Dafoe is having a lot of fun here, even if he’s not being particularly challenged. Emily Watson and Finn Wolfhard are fine in smaller roles, though they all suffer from being a bit under-written. Supporting players include Andrei Antoniu Anghel, David Andrei Baltatu, Carol Bors, Razvan Stoica, and more.

Filmmaker Isaiah Saxon has a look for his feature that’s to die for. The handcrafted nature of the fantasy setting, as well as the puppet ochi itself, are great. He directs it all with confidence, too. It’s only the screenplay keeping me from more enthusiasm. Simply put, the story is real thin. It’s just enough to work, but you do find yourself wishing there was more here. It’s promising work from Saxon, though with a better script, he’d really be on to something.

The Legend of Ochi is a visual treat that aims to be a new and timeless fantasy classic for all ages. It falls short of that mark, but it does manage to be decently entertaining. Provided you limit your expectations somewhat, it’s easy enough to enjoy this film for what it is. Plus, prepare to fall in love with the ochi…

SCORE: ★★★