O'Dessa

This is a musically,visually,and dramatically a stunning piece of original cinema. It was billed as a "Rock Opera" and that's truly what it is. It isn't a hugely original story or premise,but it's an immensely original artistic take on one. I'm Genx,so I'm acutely aware of how Cult Classics are born. I really hope this gets the immediate attention it deserves,but seeing as it was a Hulu release I'm sure it's going to have to overcome that stigma overtime to find it's audience. But MARK MY WORDS!!! In 10-15 years when Sadie Sink is a gigantic star because of the ridiculous talent she showcased in this art film,people will see and understand this review. If you see it before then,do yourself a favor and watch it. She,and all the other performers actually sang that music.

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 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.

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.

The songs and actors were absolutely amazing. Its one of a kind of a beautiful love story and about hope and love amongst eachother whom we coexist with. Its was beautiful. The songs and the aesthetic. I love kelvin harrison jr and sadie sink together in this beautiful movie. Who knew a scorpio can make something with so much depth. Lol. This was more that what i thought it was going to be and it filled me with so much more. The main actors have such a bright future ahead for their careers because their movie resume is filled with so much quality. This movie does not deserve such a low rating.