The OA

Brit Marling plays the main character, Prairie Johnson, who is also known as The OA.

The OA was conceived by Brit Marling and Zal Batmanglij, who developed the story and characters together.

Actors prepared through research, workshops, and collaborating with the creators to understand their characters' journeys.

The OA was created by Brit Marling and Zal Batmanglij.

Near-death experiences are central to the plot, unlocking supernatural abilities and revealing connections to other dimensions.

The OA takes place in a present-day American town and also in a mysterious, alternate dimension.

Prairie disappeared for seven years and returned with her sight restored, claiming to be the OA, an escaped captive.

At the end of Season 2, several characters are transported to a different dimension, including Hap and BBA.

Healings are acts performed using the five movements, believed to mend physical and emotional wounds.

The concept of angels is explored through characters who possess extraordinary abilities and guide others.

The visual style is often dreamlike and atmospheric, using distinct cinematography to enhance the story's mystery.

Fan theories suggest various interpretations of the show's events, including hidden meanings and potential future plotlines.

The scar on Prairie's back is a result of her captivity and experiments, and it is linked to her connection with other dimensions.

Interdimensional travel suggests that parallel universes exist and that consciousness can traverse between them.

Other characters who learn and perform the movements include Steve, Buck, Jesse, and French, and later BBA.

The music in The OA is often ambient and ethereal, creating a mysterious and emotional atmosphere.

The show blurs the lines between reality and dreams, leaving it open to interpretation whether events are literal or metaphorical.

The five movements are a sequence of actions believed to open portals to other dimensions and possess healing powers.

As of early 2026, there has been no official announcement regarding a Season 3 of The OA.

The story was inspired by various themes including near-death experiences, mythology, and the human desire for connection.

The 'OA' stands for 'Original Angel', a title given to Prairie Johnson.

Hap is a doctor who experiments on people, capturing them to study their near-death experiences and the movements.

The OA is about Prairie Johnson, a blind woman who reappears after seven years and calls herself The OA, sharing her story of captivity and dimensional travel.

At the end of Season 1, the five movements are performed to save the group from a school shooter, leading to Prairie's possible death or transition.

Interpretations of the ending vary, with some believing Prairie died and ascended, while others think she traveled to another dimension.

The OA has deeply impacted viewers, inspiring them to believe in impossible things and to seek connections beyond themselves. It has encouraged a greater sense of courage and a more positive perspective on sensitivity, showing it as a gift rather than a burden. The show's themes of human connection and faith resonate strongly, leading some viewers to feel less alone and more hopeful.

Key symbols in The OA include the five movements, which are described as sacred gestures that can open portals and heal. Angels are also a significant symbol, with the main character, Prairie, known as 'The OA' or 'Original Angel.' Near-death experiences (NDEs) are another important symbol, as they are believed to be a way to access other dimensions and gain knowledge.

The OA explores faith and belief by presenting a narrative where characters must choose to believe in extraordinary events and the protagonist's story, even when faced with skepticism. It suggests that belief itself can be a powerful force for good, and questions the nature of truth versus the importance of faith.

The series does not explicitly focus on a single 'song' as a central element. However, music and sound play a symbolic role, with characters having connections to music and some fans associating songs like Aurora's 'Awakening' with the show's themes of spiritual journeys and death symbolism.

The OA is unique due to its ambitious, mind-bending storytelling that blends mystery, metaphysics, and science fiction with profound emotional depth. It features original concepts like the five movements for interdimensional travel and a narrative that encourages viewers to question reality and explore themes of faith, consciousness, and human connection in unconventional ways.

Each episode of The OA is approximately one hour long.

The overall message of The OA centers on the power of belief, human connection, and the idea that even in the darkest times, hope can be found through shared experiences and faith in the extraordinary.

Prairie, also known as The OA, forms deep connections with a diverse group of individuals, including teenagers and a teacher, whom she recruits to help her on her missions. She shares her extraordinary story with them, fostering a sense of belonging and purpose, and they, in turn, become her loyal followers and companions in her journey through different dimensions.

The series does not feature blindfolded journeys as a primary plot element. However, Prairie herself was blind before her disappearance and regained her sight upon her return, which is a significant part of her mysterious reappearance.

The OA is primarily classified as a mystery drama with elements of science fiction, supernatural, and fantasy.

The creators handled sensitive themes by weaving them into a narrative that encourages empathy and exploration of complex issues like trauma, loss, and spirituality. While the show doesn't shy away from difficult subjects, it aims to present them in a way that fosters understanding and highlights human resilience.

The OA explores multiple dimensions, often accessed through a series of five 'movements' or a form of interdimensional travel. These dimensions can be vastly different, with characters sometimes encountering alternate versions of themselves or familiar people in new contexts.

The OA is available to stream on Netflix.

Buck is a transgender teenager who becomes part of The OA's group. His story involves struggling with identity and acceptance, and he shares a significant connection with Michelle, who appears to be his counterpart in another dimension. Buck's journey highlights themes of self-discovery and belonging within the show's broader narrative.

Science fiction in The OA serves as a vehicle to explore profound questions about consciousness, the nature of reality, and the possibilities of interdimensional travel. It moves beyond typical sci-fi tropes to create a unique blend of speculative fiction with spiritual and philosophical themes.