THE LEGEND OF OCHI TRAILER 1

A24 takes a stab at an old school coming-of-age adventure film, and from the looks of this 1^st trailer, they’ve succeeded in the off-kilter way that only they can. This is the 1^st trailer for The Legend Of Ochi.

In a remote northern village, a young girl Yuri (Helena Zengel) lives in a commune headed up by her grizzled guardian (Willem Dafoe). Naturally curious, Yuri is warned of the dangers of the land, in particular a dangerous species called Ochi.

But one night, Yuri discovers a baby Ochi left behind by its pack. After bonding, the two unlikely friends embark on a perilous adventure across the land to reunite the Ochi with its family. Battling the wilderness, the prejudice of humans, and her own tribe hot on her tail, Yuri must go far beyond the world she has known to save her new friend.

Newcomer Isaiah Saxon makes an emphatic stamp on the adventure genre with The Legend Of Ochi. The setting and visuals lend the film an almost whimsical painterly quality, like something out of a storybook – complemented by the dark noir lighting that keeps the air of mystique lurking danger. The worldbuilding gives the film a timeless quality, mixing modern amenities like cars and fluorescent lighting with old-school armor and hunting.

The trailer is paced beautifully, with uplifting music that evokes classic coming-of-age journey films like Homeward Bound or The Goonies, but run through A24’s thoroughly-modern indie film filter. The cast is pitch-perfect, especially Zanger, who imbues the lead protagonist Yuri with a mix of introverted shyness and steely resolve. Dafoe, riffing on his various paternal roles, plays a kooky tribe leader that wants to keep his pack safe at all costs.

This trailer has all the ingredients necessary to break out with a wide audience. The taste might be a touch too niche for mainstream audiences, but those who find this movie are sure to have a great time.

Directed by newcomer Isaiah Saxon, The Legend Of Ochi  will release theatrically in the US in late 2024 The movie stars Helena Zengel and Willem Dafoe in the lead roles.