Common Sense Media Review
By Jennifer Green
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Violence, language, drugs in jumbled dystopian musical.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
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Where to Watch
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O'Dessa
What's the Story?
When she finds herself orphaned, O'DESSA (Sadie Sink) sets out from her rural home to Satylite City, the only remaining urban metropolis around. The city's people are held under a spell by a cruel leader known as Plutonovich (Murray Bartlett). O'Dessa has been told she is the "Seventh Son," who prophesy says will stir souls and save the world. Her beloved father's guitar is stolen from her before she even reaches the city. Once there, she befriends performer Euri (Kelvin Harrison Jr), a relationship disapproved of by dangerous Plutonovich henchwoman Neon Dion (Regina Hall). Will O'Dessa find the courage to fulfill her prophesy? Will she be in time to save Euri and herself?
Is It Any Good?
Despite a spirited lead performance from Sadie Sink, this futuristic musical drama gets bogged down by an uninspired script and clichéd characters. There's little to recommend in O'Dessa other than Sink's musical performances. Her relationship with Euri (an engaging Harrison Jr) is sweet in its youthfulness but lackluster, as is the poorly developed expression of some gender ambiguity between the two. The film's apocalyptic look and themes are nothing new, and Australian actor Bartlett–whose White Lotus performance showed such nuance–comes across here as exaggeratedly bogus.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the world depicted in O'Dessa. How would you describe it? What color palette is used to create the look of this world? Does it remind you of any other films you've watched?
How does Plutonovich maintain his power? Do you see any parallels to past or current world leaders? Explain.
In what ways does O'Dessa demonstrate perseverance when she leaves home, sets out as a rambler, and encounters challenges and even threats?
What themes do you notice? How would you relate those ideas to our contemporary society? Explain.
How does the music add to this film? How would it be different without the musical numbers?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : March 20, 2025
- Cast : Sadie Sink , Kelvin Harrison Jr , Murray Bartlett
- Director : Geremy Jasper
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s) , Gay Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Hulu
- Genre : Fantasy
- Topics : Fantasy ( Magic ) , Friendship , Arts ( Music and Sing-Along )
- Run time : 106 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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