Set in a post-apocalyptic future, O'Dessa is a rock opera take on the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice about fate, defiance, and love.
O'Dessa Review
Cult classic is a term that gets thrown around a lot for movies that essentially are quirky without staying power. True cult classics are movies that may have not been a huge commercial success their first time out but found a home in the hearts of a small but passionate group of fans. Horror movies are ripe to cross over into this status but it's rare in the 2020s to find other genre offerings that will do the same. O'Dessa however may have what it takes to be just that– a cult favorite. It's a rock opera that pulls from mythology and the likes of The Rocky Horror Picture Show and The Legend of Billie Jean to craft a musical that is romantic, defiant, and hypnotic at times.
O'Dessa presents itself as a love letter to the off beat moviegoer, the theater kids, and/or mythology nerds. I say that with love as someone who enjoys different films, was a theater kid, and loves mythology. It has some lofty ambitions, balancing a fated lovers story with the cautionary tale of becoming too complacent in a world that tries everything it can to distract you from reality. These themes don't always work well together, but with earnest performances from Sadie Sink and Kelvin Harrison Jr., a mostly infectious soundtrack, and rich visuals it has enough to draw in the right audience.
Written and directed by Geremy Jasper (Patti Cake$), the film follows O'Dessa (Sink), the Seventh Son in a family of ramblers, destined to save the world with her heirloom six-string guitar. She must find her voice and sing a song that will free the people from the corruption and cruelty of dictator Plutovich (Murray Bartlett). He is a man who uses a game-show that's essentially America’s Got Talent meets Hunger Games in order to maintain control on the populace and wallow in wealth while they starve. In order to fulfill her destiny, she travels to Satylite City, the belly of the beast. There she meets Euri Dervish (Harrison Jr.), a gifted musician in his own right, forced to perform and entertain people against his will. The fated pair immediately falls in love and when their happily ever after is threatened, O'Dessa must fight to save both Euri and the people around her.
Visually, O'Dessa is Mad Max meets Fifth Element – dusty landscapes with sprinkles of bright colors give way to industrialized cityscapes with glowing neons, wild textures, with outfits to match. Scott Dougan (production design) along with Odile Dicks-Mireaux and Anna Munro's costumes make the world of O'Dessa pop. It's just the right mix of grimy and opulent. But this is a rock opera so singing is not only expected but the songs crucial to the story flow. Jasper and Jason Binnick crafted the melodies that go from folk to rock as our heroine marches ahead to face fate.
Sink's vocals are powerful, edgy, and soulful. As O'Dessa's experiences grew so did the strength of her voice and Sink infused that growth into every note. Harrison Jr. equally wows with his sultry tones that give way to something softer as he and O'Dessa become fully intertwined. The notion that music could save the world might seem silly, but anyone who has ever felt truly moved by a melody or lyrics knows that there is power in the right song. O'Dessa is fighting to make people feel again and you can't help but root for her in that quest. I don't know if the final number truly achieves what it set out to do but I will say the one between O'Dessa and Euri is dynamic and a true standout on the soundtrack.
Anyone who knows the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice (or has watched Hadestown) knows these two star-crossed lovers are not fated to live happily ever after. That knowledge doesn't make it any less enchanting to watch these two meet and fall for one another. It's not so much the script as it is the chemistry between Sink and Harrison Jr. They challenge one another's perspectives on the world while offering a safe space for each other. It's enough to make you wish this won't end the way it absolutely will. Reigning over the world is a slimy, constantly grinning Plutonovich who Bartlett imbues with outrageousness and a simmering evil. His right hand woman is Neon Dion (Regina Hall) is the furthest away from subtle as one can get. She relishes in cruelty and Hall with her razor sharp bangs commands the screen like a pure force of nature.
One of the aspects of this film that stuck out above all was the choice to blur the notion of gender and all the concepts typically associated with it on screen. The Seventh “son” is actually a girl, wearing androgynous clothing, with her slicked back hair. Her love interest meanwhile is draped in silks, lace, and even a wedding gown. Neither O'Dessa or Euri come off as entirely masculine or feminine, they simply are who they are and the other loves them deeply for it.
Verdict
Ultimately, O'Dessa is about fate, defiance, and love. The commentary on societal trappings and complacency largely gets lost in the mix, with the romance plot firmly taking over centerstage. If that balance had been struck O'Dessa could have been stronger, more thought-provoking, and impactful. Yet none of that really bothered me. Maybe it's because of the current state of our world and sometimes you just want to believe in true love whether their time together is short or long. Or perhaps it's because I'm a theater kid in my heart, who still loves talking about mythology. Either way, I enjoyed O'Dessa with its retro vibes, quirky characters, and rocking soundtrack.
O'Dessa is now streaming on Hulu. It is rated PG-13 for violent content, strong language, drug material, suggestive material and thematic content with a runtime of 106 minutes.
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