Isaiah Saxon, a music video director known for his work with Björk and Grizzly Bear, makes his feature film debut with The Legend of Ochi. It comes out in a few theaters on April 18, 2025, and then nationwide on April 25. The A24-produced family fantasy adventure takes place on the made-up Black Sea island of Carpathia. It tries to bring back the tactile magic of 1980s movies like E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, The NeverEnding Story, and The Dark Crystal. The movie has a budget of only $10 million and stars Helena Zengel, Willem Dafoe, Emily Watson, and Finn Wolfhard. It is a brave attempt to bring back storytelling that uses practical effects for a new generation. Critics and audiences are split on the movie, though, because its predictable plot and poorly developed characters have gotten mixed reviews. Based on reviews and what audiences thought, here’s a close look at how the movie was received, what it did well, and what it could have done better.
A nostalgic idea with good intentions
The Legend of Ochi is about Yuri (Helena Zengel), a shy teenage girl who grew up in a remote Carpathian village and is afraid of the Ochi, which are strange, monkey-like creatures. Maxim (Willem Dafoe), her father, is a militaristic man who is obsessed with hunting these creatures. He takes a group of young boys, including Yuri’s adopted brother Petro (Finn Wolfhard), on nightly trips to kill the Ochi, which are blamed for attacking livestock and threatening the community. Yuri realizes that the creatures are misunderstood when she finds a hurt baby Ochi, which is described as a cute mix of Baby Yoda and a Gremlin. She goes against her father’s advice and sets out to bring the baby back to its family in the mountains. Along the way, she learns things about her own broken family, including her mother Dasha (Emily Watson), who has been gone for a long time.
The story uses common coming-of-age fantasy themes, like a young hero making friends with a magical creature, fighting against social norms, and mending family wounds. The movie’s 1980s-inspired look, which includes puppetry, matte paintings, and filming in Romania, is similar to the work of Amblin and Jim Henson and makes you feel like you’re in a dream. The movie is rated PG and lasts 96 minutes, so families can watch it. However, some reviews say it has a darker tone that might make younger viewers uneasy.
Reviews: Some people loved it, some people hated it.
The Legend of Ochi has a 78% approval rating from 102 critics on Rotten Tomatoes. The consensus is that “A marvel of state-of-the-art puppetry and visual effects, The Legend of Ochi elevates its predictable story with enchanting presentation.” Based on 26 reviews, Metacritic gives it a score of 68 out of 100, which means “generally favorable.” Everyone agrees that the film’s visuals are great, but they don’t all agree on how well the story is told.
Strengths: Beautiful visuals and useful effects
The film’s best feature is its look. Reviewers praise Saxon’s use of real-life effects, especially the Ochi puppets, which are brought to life by a skilled group of puppeteers. People often compare the baby Ochi to Gizmo from Gremlins and Grogu from The Mandalorian because it was made to be cute and has animal-like instincts that make it more interesting. The Guardian says that the movie’s “complete visual experience” puts big-budget CGI movies to shame, thanks to its mix of puppetry, matte paintings, and beautiful Romanian locations. The Hollywood Reporter says that the production values “far exceed what might be expected from a reported $10 million budget.” IndieWire says that the visuals are “almost real enough to seem remembered,” comparing them to a “rustic and ravishing” Björk music video.
The movie’s immersive quality is even better thanks to Evan Prosofsky’s eerie fog and painterly landscapes and David Longstreth’s whimsical score. People on X are saying the same thing, with @JordanCarp3nt3r praising the “superb practical puppet effects, stunning cinematography, and excellent visuals” and @imPatrickT calling it a “cozy, cute, and heartwarming” throwback.People also praise the performances. Helena Zengel’s subtle performance as Yuri shows a quiet strength and sense of being alone, which makes her a strong anchor. Screen Daily and other critics have said that Willem Dafoe’s Maxim is a standout because he plays a loud, silly villain instead of a scary one. Emily Watson gives Dasha a motherly warmth, but her part is small. Finn Wolfhard’s Petro, on the other hand, has been widely criticized for not being used enough, with reviewers saying his character feels like an afterthought.
Weaknesses: A story that isn’t very deep and an emotional disconnect
Even though the movie looks great, its story is “predictable” and “narratively sparse.” Critics say that the story is too similar to others, like E.T. meets How to Train Your Dragon, and doesn’t add enough new ideas or emotional depth. The New York Times says that “you kind of know what’s going to happen all the time,” and the dialogue is sometimes hard to understand, which makes it easy to “zone out.” The AV Club says the movie isn’t as good as Pan’s Labyrinth or Okja because it doesn’t have the “mature politics and real history” that those movies do.
Another weak point is the development of the characters. Yuri’s story, which goes from being a lonely teen to a caring hero, doesn’t feel fully developed. Reviewers like Deep Focus Review want to see more scenes of Yuri bonding with the baby Ochi to make their connection stronger. One IMDb user said that Maxim’s sudden change from militant hunter to understanding father was “as if they took an offscreen crash course in emotional maturity.” Finn Wolfhard’s Petro doesn’t have much depth, and the family dynamics, especially Dasha’s reasons for leaving Yuri, are still unclear.
There are also problems with the pacing. Some reviewers, like an IMDb user who went to a Cinemark “secret movie” screening, thought the story was “a bit silly” and slow after the supermarket scene. Some people even left the theater during some screenings. X posts show the same feelings, with @rxbeccajohnson calling the story “painfully generic” and saying it lacks “adventure and heart.” The movie tries to appeal to both kids and adults with A24’s arthouse style, but it doesn’t work because it feels too mature for kids and too simple for older people.
Messages and Themes: A Moral That Is Both Familiar and Heartfelt
The Legend of Ochi is about compassion, prejudice, and putting families back together. Yuri’s journey goes against the village’s story about the Ochi, which is based on fear, and shows them to be intelligent beings instead of monsters. This reminds me of the Cold War-era metaphors in 1980s movies about accepting the “other.” This message feels relevant in today’s divided world. The movie also talks about the environment, showing the Ochi as part of a real ecosystem, though some critics say this isn’t explored enough.
The family’s problems, especially Yuri’s rocky relationship with Maxim and her reunion with Dasha, stress the importance of understanding and making amends. Plugged In talks about the hopeful message that “love will always be the most powerful form of connection.” It also points out a subtle criticism of religious faith through Maxim’s militant zeal, which is shown next to the village’s Christian imagery. Common Sense Media likes the movie’s themes of friendship, independence, and thinking for yourself, but they warn that there are some creepy parts and some mild language (“bastard,” “goddamn,” “s–t”) that might worry parents.
Audience Reactions: A Split Between Longing and Expectations
The reactions of the audience, especially on X, show that they are divided. Fans like @AndrewJ626 call it a “future cult fantasy classic” because they like how strange and original it is. @DiscussingFilm calls it a “rare family adventure full of genuine childlike wonder.” Some people, like @LuminousDagger, think it looks great but doesn’t have a good story. They say it falls apart after a strong start. The movie is expected to make $5 million on its opening weekend from 1,150 theaters, which is not a lot of money. This could be because it has a niche appeal and is up against movies like Until Dawn and The Accountant 2.
Parents on Common Sense Media give it a 13+ age rating because there are scary scenes, violence (Ochi attacks, a bloody sheep carcass), and tweens using weapons, but they like the positive messages. Some people in the audience, especially those who miss the fantasy movies of the 1980s, think it’s a nice change from CGI-heavy blockbusters. Others, especially adults who expect A24’s usual depth, think it doesn’t live up to its potential.
Final Verdict: A Throwback That Has Some Problems
The Legend of Ochi is a love letter to the tactile, imaginative family movies of the 1980s. It works as a visual feast with great puppetry and a colorful world. Isaiah Saxon’s first movie shows that he can create a magical world on a small budget, thanks to great performances from Zengel and Dafoe. But its predictable plot, poorly developed characters, and inconsistent tone keep it from being as emotional as the ones that came before it. It’s a fun movie for families, and kids might really like the baby Ochi. For adults, it’s a mixed bag—it’s charming but also annoyingly short.
Brian Tallerico of Roger Ebert says, “Even when ‘The Legend of Ochi‘ stumbles, it does so in a way that’s almost sweet.” It might appeal more to younger people or people who want to relive their childhoods. It could even become a childhood favorite for a new generation, even if it doesn’t fully satisfy everyone.
Rating: 3/5 stars
Where to Watch: In theaters across the country on April 25, 2025, and on sites like Fandango at Home, you can rent or buy it.
