‘O’Dessa’ Movie Review: A Musical Misfire
Introduction: A Musical Fan’s Disappointment
As someone who adores musicals—from the iconic numbers in Singin’ in the Rain to the vibrant storytelling of Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge—it is with great disappointment that I find myself wishing the cast of Geremy Jasper’s O’Dessa would simply stop singing. What went wrong? Was it the jarring lack of rhythm and emotional depth in the songs? Or perhaps it’s that this post-apocalyptic musical seems to fundamentally oppose the very essence of the genre?
The Musicals We Love and Hate
Despite the recent success of Wicked—which triumphed at the box office and garnered ten Academy Award nominations—public perception of musicals often tilts toward disdain. This aversion is intriguing, especially when the landscape is cluttered with lackluster offerings like Joker: Folie à Deux and Emilia Pérez, both of which ignore the core principle that a song should express what words cannot. Sing for joy! Sing for pain! But in O’Dessa, this refrain goes unheeded.
An Antithesis to Musical Tradition
It’s astonishing that O’Dessa comes from Geremy Jasper, whose earlier work Patti Cake$ is a modern classic brimming with heartfelt musicality. In Patti Cake$, songs serve as emotional milestones, enhancing character development and plot progression. However, O’Dessa feels like an anti-musical; it never embraces the genre’s potential to uplift or to delve into the human experience. Instead, it reinforces the stereotype that musicals are an indulgence in the absurd, further alienating the very audience it aims to entertain.
A Visual Feast with Substance Problems
While O’Dessa boasts stunning visuals—think dazzling colors, whimsical costumes, and meticulous camera work—these production values can’t mask the lackluster narrative. The film follows O’Dessa Galloway, played by Sadie Sink, in her quest to topple the tyrannical Plutonovich, embodied by the charismatic Murray Bartlett. The most delightful moment arrives with the campy song “Onederworld,” capturing the essence of musical madness that the film should have leaned into from the start.
Uneven Character Dynamics and Plot
O’Dessa is portrayed as the “chosen one,” destined to reclaim her world through the power of song—an ostensibly uplifting arc. Yet, we’re left with a protagonist whose emotional journey remains inexplicably shallow. Her romantic counterpart, Euri Dervish (played by Kelvin Harrison Jr.), is tragic yet underdeveloped, stuck in repetitive dialogue instead of evolving beyond his devotion to Plutonovich.
The Perils of Generic Musicality
Musical numbers are essential to the genre, but in O’Dessa, they stumble over banal lyrics and forgettable melodies. Aside from "Onederworld," none of the songs exude the originality necessary to engage viewers. Instead, they fall flat, echoing the worst iterations of 80s musicals—repetitive and uninspired.
When Does It End?
As the film approaches its conclusion, it teeters on the edge of a bizarre game-show climax. While there are hints of intrigue, the overall experience remains tainted by the weight of uninspired songs and characters who lack depth. Even with talented actors like Sink and Harrison Jr., their chemistry flounders, leading to a tepid resolution.
Final Thoughts: A Call for Musical Redemption
In a world where musicals can ignite passion and creativity, O’Dessa serves as a cautionary tale. It stands as a testament to the danger of neglecting the core principles of musical storytelling. Perhaps it’s time for a moratorium on poorly conceived musicals until filmmakers understand and appreciate the magic that this genre holds.
O’Dessa is now available for streaming on Hulu in the United States and Disney+ internationally. While I urge you to explore the vibrant realm of musicals, I recommend choosing wisely—you don’t want to end up stuck in an O’Dessa loop.
About the Author
Maxance Vincent is a freelance film and TV critic, recently graduated with a BFA in Film Studies from Université de Montréal. With a specialization in Video Game Studies, Max is currently pursuing a graduate diploma in Journalism.
