O'Dessa

O'Dessa is more than a dystopian musical thriller-it is an allegory woven with classical mythology, Orwellian warnings, and the transformative power of music. Beautifully shot in a bleak yet eerily mesmerizing future, the film reimagines Homer's Odyssey through the lens of a world where art and individualism are crushed under the weight of a sadistic, yet handsome, gleeful, hypo-manic TV Host/Dictator.

O'dessa is the young woman who is a symbol of resilience and with her inherited musical talent as a weapon, she embarks on a journey to ramble: from her folk ballads, evolving into folk-rock, hard rock, and finally an electrifying Eurobeat.

She busks her way through a grotesque totalitarian system where a single, omnipresent TV channel broadcasts torture as mass amusement-echoes Orwellian nightmares while recalling the grand, satirical spectacles of O Brother, Where Art Thou.

Her love interest is a very personable guy, another victim of a broken society.

This deep human connection of "one"-ness, could transcend to society, if she can fulfill her destiny by retrieving her father's six string guitar ... plus one.

Every aspect of O'dessa is meticulously crafted, from its haunting cinematography to its exhilarating soundtrack that fuses classic storytelling with modern soundscapes: power of art to challenge, inspire, and ultimately, free.

This is the film of our age: thrilling, deeply symbolic, and utterly unforgettable.

I am not sure I can agree with such a low rating for this movie. I can see where some may feel the movie falls short. The plot was alright and lacked some direction at points. However, overall the visuals were fantastic, the music was enjoyable, and the characters were interesting to watch throughout the screening. I feel that anyone that rated it below a 6 did not really understand the movie and I am questioning if they even really watched it at all. I mean it isn't in my top 10 movies probably but it was definitely enjoyable and I would say this was a particularly creative movie. Was great watching sadie sink put on such a unique performance!

O'Dessa is an interesting film with immersive visuals and cinematography, good acting, but unfortunately, the plot falls a bit short. While there are strong performances, especially from Sadie Sink and Kevin Harrison Jr., the film feels subpar in its execution.

The film is set in a dystopian future where O'Dessa (Sadie Sink) is in search of her guitar which belonged to her father and meant everything to her. She travels to Satellite City, a dangerous place, and encounters a fractured society. Along the way, she finds unexpected allies and dangerous enemies. As she pieces together the truth, she is forced to confront the reality of a world that may not be what it seems.

The cinematography is one of the film's strongest aspects as it presents a world that is both immersive and striking in its visuals. I enjoyed the exaggerated use of color and lighting and the set. The score is decent, but it doesn't leave a lasting impact. There are moments when the music enhances the mood, but overall, it lacks the emotional weight that could have elevated it. Sadie Sink delivers a raw and emotionally charged performance, bringing depth to O'Dessa in a way that makes her journey compelling. Sink has been in many dramas, but I've never seen her in a film like this one and enjoyed her performance. Kevin Harrison Jr. In his role as Euri Dervish performs well and the chemistry between him and Sink adds a layer of sincerity to the film. The thing that pulls this down is the storyline. There are interesting ideas presented, but they aren't fully developed, which leaves the film feeling somewhat hollow, despite its artistic ambition. Ultimately, O'Dessa is a film that thrives in its aesthetics but stumbles in storytelling. While it's worth watching for the cinematography and performances, the lack of a strong narrative makes it fall short of being truly memorable.

The film's message is that there is good and evil in this world and it's up to us to recognize what is corrupt and to make a difference.

I give O'Dessa 3 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 12 to 18, plus adults. You can catch it on Hulu beginning March 20, 2025.

By Zoe C., KIDS FIRST!

O'Dessa may catch your eye with some cool visuals and a few catchy musical moments, but that's pretty much where its strengths end. Sadie Sink is the standout here as she brings a commitment and charisma that makes up a little for the film's weak, contrived plot and shallow character development. Despite the film's ambitious attempts to mix different styles and eras, it ends up feeling like a messy collage without much substance to hold it together.

The movie just can't find a clear direction, with a tonally inconsistent script that feels more like a string of expositions than a well-paced story. While it's fun to see the stylistic nods and moments of creativity, everything else falls flat and leaves you with a feeling that, aside from Sadie's performance, nothing truly resonates.

I am an avid film geek but certainly not an expert. I took this film for what it was, with no expectations and just enjoyed the ride.

For me, I was hooked from the start, music was good, lyrics were very touching and the bizarre sci Fi world was a great touch.

Sometimes we over think our experiences and forget to just enjoy the moment and for me, I enjoyed every moment in this film. So much so; I am playing the album.

The cast were good and Sadie really shone and I enjoyed watching her. I'm sure we will see more of her in the decades to come.

Don't forget to open your minds, cherish the message given in this film and enjoy.