Science fiction films come in many different subgenres. Most of the time, we get full-on action, flashy effects, weird creatures and characters to root for, with a clear line between good and bad. Then there are the films that rely more heavily on dialogue and character development. They may not have the glitz and glamour of the bigger productions, but sometimes they offer a more fleshed-out and satisfying experience. There’s room for both in the world of film, and thank goodness everything doesn’t follow the same blueprint.
ORION falls into the latter category, for the most part. The film follows Jim (Andrew McCarthy), a NASA interrogator tasked with helping an amnesiac astronaut named Apollo (Drew Van Acker) recover his memories. The goal is to determine “who” or “what” killed the rest of the crew before their spacecraft crash-landed back on Earth.
Orion
- Director: Jaco Bouwer
- Starring: Drew Van Acker, Andrew McCarthy, Debby Ryan, Theodora Miranne, Daniel Bisla, Karin Ann, Natalia Lesz, Vayda Cronin
- Genre: Science Fiction, Thriller
- Runtime: 96 mins
Director Jaco Bouwer takes a slow-burn approach, relying heavily on dialogue and the interactions between McCarthy and Van Acker to build the story. There’s also an enjoyable game of cat and mouse as we try to figure out who’s telling the truth and who’s lying. Just when you think you have things figured out, the film gives you another reason to question what you’re seeing.
First off, don’t go into ORION expecting Aliens or Total Recall. This is a small-budget production, and the limitations sometimes show through its one-room sets and restrained special effects. The dialogue can occasionally go on a little too long, but when you’re dealing with an alien that communicates without speech, there’s naturally a lot of talking required to explain what’s happening and move the story forward.
One of the more interesting ideas the film raises is how language can be weaponized. Just look around the world today, and it’s not difficult to see how words can be used to manipulate people and influence events. It’s a fascinating concept that I wish the film had explored further. Instead, the story eventually takes a more familiar route, with certain factions looking to use the alien as a weapon.
Where ORION does a good job is in messing with the audience’s head. Who’s good? Who’s bad? Who can you trust? These questions help keep things interesting, even when the film occasionally takes its time getting where it needs to go.
It’s also great seeing ’80s Rat Packer Andrew McCarthy back in fine form. There’s no rust on his acting chops here! Drew Van Acker is another pleasant surprise, and he really shines when sharing the screen with McCarthy. The chemistry between the two helps sell the story and makes their interactions feel believable. A strong cast can elevate the material, and that’s certainly the case here.
The alien itself is an interesting creation, particularly because of how it communicates, although I found it a little underwhelming overall. It isn’t the kind of creature that’s going to blow you away with spectacular effects, but the concept behind it is intriguing enough to keep you interested.
ORION is a dialogue-heavy science fiction film that won’t appeal to everyone. Budget restraints are evident throughout the production, but they aren’t dealbreakers. What it lacks in eye-popping effects, it makes up for to some extent with an interesting concept, strong performances and a story that keeps you guessing.
If you’re looking for nonstop action and spectacular special effects, this probably isn’t the film for you. However, if you enjoy science fiction that plays mind games with its audience and gives its characters room to breathe, ORION is worth checking out, particularly for its performances, intriguing premise and third act.
