While a new teaser for “Okja” emphasizes the “bond between man and animal,” the Netflix film is actually about a young girl named Mija (Seo-Hyun Ahn, “Monster”) and her connection to a mythical-looking, massive creature known as Okja.
The spot also introduces us to Tilda Swinton’s character in the film, who appears to be some sort of mad scientist. “I took nature and science, and I synthesized,” she proclaims. It’s unclear what exactly she created, but the teaser and “Okja’s” official synopsis suggest that the company Swinton is affiliated with wants to take Okja away from its home and away from Mija.
Netflix describes the film as a “grand global adventure [that] follows a friendship too big to ignore. Meet Mija, a young girl who risks everything to prevent a powerful, multi-national company from kidnapping her best friend — a massive animal named Okja. Following her across continents, the coming-of-age comedy drama sees Mija’s horizons expand in a way one never would want for one’s children, coming up against the harsh realities of genetically modified food experimentation, globalization, eco-terrorism, and humanity’s obsession with image, brand, and self-promotion,” the streaming giant hints.
“Okja” reunites Swinton with her “Snowpiercer” director Bong Joon-ho. The action-adventure hits Netflix June 28. Jake Gyllenhaal, Lily Collins (“Rules Don’t Apply”), and Steven Yeun (“The Walking Dead”) co-star.
Among Swinton’s recent credits are comic book blockbuster “Doctor Strange,” ensemble dramedy “A Bigger Splash,” and a supporting role in Amy Schumer’s big screen debut “Trainwreck.”
Check out the teaser to catch a glimpse of Okja.
