Hulu’s new Musical Movie, O’Dessa is a charming tale of love, music, and disappointment. In a desolate, post-apocalyptic world, O’Dessa, a determined farm girl, sets out on a perilous journey to recover a lost family heirloom. Her quest takes her to a mysterious and perilous city, where she encounters an unexpected love that feels destined. But when her love’s soul is in jeopardy, O’Dessa must confront the power of fate itself. Armed with the ancient magic of music, she faces an impossible challenge: to save him, she must unravel the true power of her heart and test the very fabric of destiny.

Stranger Things star Sadie Sink takes on the role of our heroine, a rebellious farm girl on a mission from her late father. Hailing from a family of Ramblers (roaming, music-loving vagabonds), armed with her father’s guitar, O’Dessa sets out for the big city, determined to fulfill her father’s final wish. Along the way, she crosses paths with a ragtag group of troublemakers who trick her, get her drunk, and steal her father’s enchanted guitar. This betrayal sends O’Dessa on an even greater adventure, as she discovers that she may hold the key to saving the world itself.

THE WORLD OF O’DESSA

The edgy, dystopian 80s punk rock world of O’Dessa is a thrilling landscape to dive into. While I expected the soundtrack to match its rebellious vibe, I was pleasantly surprised to find it leans more toward folk rock. The sound, as well as the story, evokes the feel of Broadway’s Hadestown. The world is brutally ruled by the charismatic yet sinister Plutonovich (Murray Bartlett), who is very reminiscent of The Hunger Games Caesar Flickerman. In this society, contestants battle it out on a reality show, but at its core, the story is a poignant exploration of love’s transformative power.

Along her journey, O’Dessa meets a performer named Euri (Kelvin Harrison Jr.). The two dream of a better world where the two can explore and share their love of music, as well as each other. However, Euri is under the thumb of Plutonovich’s right-hand woman, Neon Dion (Regina Hall). So, the two have to fight for their freedom, and love, and to stay away from the Underworld.

Sadie Sink (All Too Well) and Kelvin Harrison Jr. (Elvis) deliver stellar performances as the heart of this film. I had no idea Sink has such a stunning voice. Harrison Jr. is a star. Every time he’s on-screen performing you can’t take your eyes away from him. The two make an unforgettable pair, and their chemistry lights up the screen.

ALL THE PIECES ARE THERE

While watching O’Dessa, it’s clear that all the right elements are in place—the story, worldbuilding, and performances are solid. However, it ultimately lands as… just fine. There’s nothing particularly groundbreaking or exciting that stands out. The music, though good, lacks that standout, unforgettable song that you can’t stop humming or playing on repeat. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing; the film is enjoyable, but it never quite reaches that next level.

O’Dessa is now streaming on Hulu! Make sure to check it out and come back to let me know what you think!

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