A24’s newest fantasy escapade, The Legend of Ochi, showcases enchanting beings with the debut of the Ochi — blue-faced, golden-furred creatures that reside on the fictional isle of Carpathia in the Black Sea. These captivating beings were meticulously crafted using a combination of practical effects, such as puppetry, animatronics, and suit performers, resulting in a remarkable homage to classic filmmaking methods.

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To explore further into the development of the Ochi, Mashable Entertainment Reporter Belen Edwards conversed with director Isaiah Saxon — marking his debut in feature films — along with cast members Helena Zengel, Finn Wolfhard, and Emily Watson.

Reflecting on his initial experience with the Baby Ochi puppet, Wolfhard remarked, “It truly felt like a living entity.”
Zengel, whose character Yuri is on a mission to reunite the Baby Ochi with its mother and father, commented, “It was intimidating because it was so realistic.”

For Saxon, witnessing the Baby Ochi become animated represented the apex of years of dedication. In the movie, the puppet is controlled by a group of seven puppeteers, with Paul “The Birdman” Manalatos supplying its voice.

“It’s somewhat miraculous,” Saxon expressed. “It evokes the sensation of something genuinely alive — something capable of sharing a scene with Willem Dafoe and holding its presence.”

The Legend of Ochi is currently screening in theaters.
[Check out the trailer and view showtimes here.](https://mashable.com/feeds/rss/all)