Director Geremy Jasper attempts to modernize the rock opera genre in his sophomore film, “O’Dessa,” available on Hulu. Jasper also pens the film’s screenplay. Rising actress Sadie Sink portrays the titular character, a farm girl searching to recover a cherished family heirloom. She travels to a strange and dangerous city, where she meets her one true love, Euri Dervish (Kelvin Harrison Jr.). To save his soul, she must put the power of destiny to the ultimate test.
Often, I’ll hit play on a film solely because of the strength of the cast involved. Sadie Sink won me over in “The Whale,” Kelvin Harrison is one of the best under age 35 melanin actors working today, and Germy Jasper’s 2017 film “Patti Cakes” was a personal favorite the year it was released. Jasper’s sophomore film is an attempt at dystopian rock opera that attempts to meld science fiction with musical storytelling but ultimately falls short in execution.
Early on, we meet Sadie Sink as O’Dessa, a farm girl embarking on a quest to retrieve a stolen mystical guitar. Her quest leads her into the depths of a tyrannical industrial metropolis. The film uses elements of the 1980s visual style and neon and plasma colors to generate a striking yet recognizable backdrop.
That said, “O’Dessa’s” visual impact suffers because of its wandering narrative, which displays neither depth nor coherence. As the film unfolds, it seems more like disconnected music videos than a unified narrative, which leads to a loss of momentum and prevents full audience engagement.
Sadie Sink demonstrates her dedication to the role of O’Dessa, yet the character lacks development, ultimately limiting her to an archetypal figure instead of a multi-dimensional person. The romance between her character and Euri Dervish, played by Kelvin Harrison Jr., fails to captivate the audience because their connection lacks chemistry and emotional depth.
Regina Hall as Neon Dion and Murray Bartlett as Plutonovich deliver energetic performances in their supporting roles. Although Hall provides an interesting performance as a ruthless enforcer and Bartlett effectively captures a grandstanding dictator, neither can save the movie from its fundamental flaws.
The musical component, which serves as a foundation for the rock opera, fails to meet expectations. The musical numbers lack substance and do not successfully express the film’s central ideas about love and freedom. The lyrics fail to deliver depth and inspiration because they lack the emotional impact to enhance the story.
Despite its ambitious nature, “O’Dessa” fails to establish a strong foundation. Despite its visual appeal and talented cast, the film struggles due to its fragmented plot, weak character development, and dull musical performances. The movie has many aspirations but ultimately does not make a meaningful impact.
Final Grade: D+
“O’Dessa” is available to stream on Hulu today.
