Orion and the Dark

Eleven-year-old Orion (Jacob Tremblay), a bundle of anxiety and trepidation, harbors an endless array of irrational fears that threaten to consume him at every turn. His mind is a whirlwind of worst-case scenarios, from clogged toilets flooding the school to being punched by the school bully Richie Panichi (Jack Fisher). Orion's parents (Carla Gugino and Matt Dellapina) are well aware of his phobias and do their best to offer reassurance, but it seems that even their love and support can't pierce the armor of fear that has taken up residence in their son's heart.

As Orion navigates the treacherous landscape of middle school, he finds himself crippled by the fear of rejection and humiliation, particularly when it comes to his crush, Sally (Shino Nakamichi). His desire to connect with her is constantly thwarted by his own imagination, which conjures up worst-case scenarios and imaginary conversations that leave him feeling like a nervous wreck.

But Orion's parents aren't about to let their son's fears hold him back. They encourage him to face his anxieties head-on, even as they acknowledge the very real terrors that lurk in the shadows of his mind. And then, just when it seems like things can't get any more surreal, a sudden blackout plunges Orion into darkness - and into the arms of Dark (Paul Walter Hauser), the embodiment of his deepest fears.

Dark is an ancient entity with a long history of being misunderstood and maligned by humanity. He's been around for 500 million years, ever since life on Earth first developed light-sensitive proteins in its cells. And yet, despite his best efforts to connect with Orion and help him overcome his fears, Dark finds himself perpetually shrouded in darkness - a constant reminder that he is not liked or appreciated.

As the night wears on, Dark introduces Orion to a cast of colorful characters who are all connected to the world of nighttime. There's Sleep (Natasia Demetriou), Insomnia (Nat Faxon), Quiet (Aparna Nancherla), Unexplained Noises (Golda Rosheuvel), and Sweet Dreams (Angela Bassett) - each one a representative of a different aspect of the night. Dark convinces them to let Orion tag along on their nocturnal adventures, hoping that the experience will help him overcome his fears and learn to appreciate the beauty of the dark.

But as the hours tick by, it becomes clear that Orion is stuck with Dark for 24 hours - whether he likes it or not. And if Orion's phobias are cured by the end of their journey, it could mean less interference in the work of these night creatures, who rely on the cover of darkness to do their thing. It's a precarious balancing act, but one that may ultimately lead Orion to discover the true nature of his fears - and the power he possesses to overcome them.

As Orion accompanies Dark on their nocturnal journey, he's introduced to a cast of night entities with extraordinary abilities. Quiet silences the surroundings, Sleep lulls people into a peaceful slumber using an arsenal of unconventional tools - a magic pillow, chloroform-filled handkerchiefs, and sleep-inducing hammers. Insomnia, on the other hand, induces anxiety and awakens some individuals, claiming to merely amplify the thoughts that already linger in their minds. Unexplained Noises crafts an assortment of eerie sounds outside people's homes, while Sweet Dreams conjures up vivid, dreamlike scenarios. Orion begins to grasp the full extent of Dark's powers and starts to see him in a new light.

Initially, Orion's apprehension hampers the night entities' endeavors, but as he warms up to Dark, he learns to appreciate their unique skills and eventually becomes a valuable ally. During this journey, Orion encounters Light (Ike Barinholtz), Dark's arch-nemesis, who brings forth the warmth of daytime while Dark ushers in the darkness of night.

As they continue on their path, Orion finds himself remarking that Light seems far more appealing than Dark, as it fills him with a sense of security and comfort. He makes the case to the other entities that, in some ways, Dark is indeed the problem. The night entities, convinced by Orion's words, decide to abandon their nocturnal duties in favor of working during the day.

Feeling rejected and sorrowful, the night entities leave behind their nighttime tasks. They're now convinced that it's because of Dark's presence that everyone harbors such animosity towards them, and they've grown tired of living in his shadow. Angered by this sudden abandonment, a heartbroken Dark finds solace on a mountaintop. Orion, wracked with guilt, implores Dark to move before Light passes through and disintegrates him. However, Dark remains steadfast, allowing himself to be consumed by the light, abandoning Orion.

Left alone, Orion sits atop the mountain, only to realize that it's actually the back of a flying turtle. He's filled with regret for his actions. The story concludes with an adult Orion (Colin Hanks) recounting this tale to his young daughter, Hypatia (Mia Akemi Brown), in an attempt to alleviate her fears. As they stroll through the city towards the planetarium - where adult Orion now works - Hypatia is taken aback by the story's conclusion and suggests an alternative narrative.

As Orion's isolation on the beach is disrupted by the arrival of Hypatia (both still youngsters in this reimagining), she offers her assistance, reciting an original poem that weaves together the narrative threads of their adventure so far. The nocturnal entities, drawn to the commotion caused by the perpetual daylight without night, return to witness the consequences of this unnatural balance. As people begin to yearn for the darkness and lose sight of the celestial map, it becomes clear that Orion's deepest fears are rooted in his own psyche.

With Hypatia's guidance, they embark on a journey into the depths of Orion's subconscious, seeking to resurrect Dark - the embodiment of his darkest anxieties. By conjuring the memory of their initial encounter in Orion's bedroom, they successfully summon Dark, only for their reunion to be cut short by an ominous black hole that threatens to drag him back into the void.

As Orion confronts and ultimately overcomes his fears, he leaps into action to rescue Dark, while Quiet's gentle prodding awakens him just in time to extricate them from the dream realm. With Dark restored to its natural place, the world regains its equilibrium, and Hypatia is whisked away 20 years into her past, leaving her unable to return.

However, a young Tycho (Nick Kishiyama) arrives on the scene, piloting a time machine that will ultimately reunite him with his mother, now stuck in her youth. As the narrative concludes, an adult Hypatia (Shannon Chan-Kent) shares this tale with her son, before stepping outside to bid goodnight to her parents, the now-aging Orion and Sally - a poignant full-circle moment that finds us back at the Planetarium field trip where our journey first began, with young Orion and Sally gazing up at the starry night sky.