The Legend of Ochi

Movie Review: The Legend of Ochi (2025)
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️☆ (4/5 stars)

Magical, mysterious, and quietly profound, The Legend of Ochi is a beautifully crafted fantasy adventure that blends heartfelt storytelling with stunning visual artistry. Set against the mythic backdrop of the island of Carpathia, this family-friendly epic offers a timeless tale of courage, empathy, and the unbreakable bond between a girl and the unknown.

Helena Zengel shines as Yuri, a shy and sheltered farm girl whose world is turned upside down when she discovers a wounded baby ochi—a creature long feared by her village and shrouded in ominous legend. Zengel brings warmth, vulnerability, and strength to her role, grounding the film’s magical elements in a deeply human performance.

The real star of the film, however, may be the world itself. Director Isaiah Saxon (in a visually striking debut) crafts a richly imagined setting, full of ancient forests, glowing landscapes, and creatures that feel as rooted in folklore as they do in original fantasy design. The ochi are brought to life through breathtaking practical effects and subtle CGI, creating creatures that feel both otherworldly and emotionally real.

Supporting performances from Willem Dafoe as a mysterious wanderer and Finn Wolfhard as a skeptical yet loyal companion add depth and texture to Yuri’s journey. The film’s score, ethereal and haunting, carries the emotional weight of a fairy tale passed down through generations.

What sets The Legend of Ochi apart from many modern fantasy films is its emotional maturity and quiet pacing. It trusts its audience—young and old alike—to sit with moments of silence, wonder, and moral complexity. It’s a coming-of-age story wrapped in myth, one that gently questions fear, tradition, and what it means to protect the things we don’t understand.

Though some viewers might find the film’s deliberate pacing a touch slow in parts, its rewards are rich: a final act that resonates emotionally, and a story that lingers in the heart long after the credits roll.

The Legend of Ochi is a rare gem—an imaginative, visually stunning fantasy that feels both deeply personal and universally resonant. For families and fantasy lovers alike, it’s a journey well worth taking.