A24's newest fantasy film, 'The Legend of Ochi' by filmmaker Isaiah Saxon is currently in US theaters before hitting international audiences next month, currently aiming for a $5 million opening weekend on a very low $10 million budget.
The film shot on location in multiple countries to capture the jawdropping landscapes, as well as using handmade paintings to supply other more fantastical needs, as well as using multiple techniques for the creatures and other surprises.
Starring German actress Helena Zengel ('System Crasher'), Finn Wolfhard ('Stranger Things'), Willem Dafoe ('Nosferatu') and British actress Emily Watson ('Dune: Prophecy'), the film takes place in the fantastical island of Carpathia, were everyone fears the dreadful gigants "Ochis", creatures meant to cause fear and keep habitants of the village inside the house.
But after Yuri (Zengel) finds and injured baby Ochi, she takes it upon herself to return it to safety and protect it from everyone in the village trying to haunt it.
Currently the film is "certified fresh" on Rotten Tomatoes, with over 80 reviews and 80% positive opinions and the reception at the first screening in the Sundance Film Festival was equally great, with everyone agreeing that is unevitable to fall inside the magic that Saxon created for his film, with a great message that, although is not new, it's always refreshing to hear.
Make sure you hit your closest theater to experience this in the biggest screen possible, to make it all the more magical, but you're not able to, it'll probably be releasing digitally on VOD in about 40 days.