O'Dessa

4/10 STARS - O'dessa is a musical set in a post-apocalyptic world. I admit the concept alone was a bit of a head scratcher because ... why? I decided to go ahead and screen it anyway and unfortunately it didn't really hit the mark with me. I'm not a huge fan of musicals to begin with (there are some exceptions like Better Man and Sound of Music - both of which I LOVE), but oddly, it wasn't the musical aspect of it that bothered me the most. In the beginning I was getting a little annoyed at how many songs there were in just the first 15-20 minutes of the film, but as the story went along, it wasn't as much of an issue with me, especially since some of those numbers happened during a performance setting so it fit in well enough with the narrative. The problem I have is that while a unique blend of genres can sometimes work well, most of the time they don't. And this was one such time. In many ways, O'dessa doesn't seem to know what it wants to be: powerful, moving musical, post-apocalyptic thriller drama, romance, hero's journey? It couldn't effectively be all four at the same time and consequently, some parts of the plot felt "underbaked" and lacking substance. The romance felt rushed and unearned, and some of the narrative flows felt sloppily stitched together. Another reviewer descried it as a "disjointed music video marathon" and having "style without purpose" and those are great ways to describe it. The acting was fine (I didn't even recognize Regina Hall, because of the wacky haircut she had), but some of the characters did feel a bit over the top and cookie-cutter - especially the main antagonist played by Murray Bartlett. I did enjoy the performance Kelvin Harrison, Jr. Gave us and Sadie Sink did an admirable job at the singing and guitar playing, but ultimately, O'Dessa was a lackluster viewing experience. Quick take video review will be available on my YouTube channel shortly.

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.

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.

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.