I’ve coined a new term for a category of movies: the small-space science fiction film. Films that make the most use of limited resources to weave a tale focusing more on the plot than special effects, like Duncan Jones’s Moon and John Carpenter’s Dark Star, fall into this category.
Gabriela Cowperthwaite’s drama may not match their calibre, but it skilfully builds on a disconcerting proposition to create a sense of confinement and suspense that does not overstay its welcome – it leaves you wanting more, if anything. The plot revolves around Ariana DeBose, one of six scientists – evenly split between the US and Russia– stationed on the International Space Station during heightened global tension. DeBose is studying mice in zero gravity, an undertaking that leads to some foreboding signs in the film’s opening scenes. While the characters are thinly sketched, they are still coherent. Masha Mashkova’s alluring Russian is subtly implied to be involved with Chris Messina’s rugged American, while the others are more elusive and mysterious.
The plot intensifies when they see what appear to be volcanoes erupting on Earth in the distance, one after the other. Explosions are seen across Russia and the United States. They eventually get confirmation that nuclear war has broken out through a covert message instructing the US crew members to secure the station “by any means necessary”. They naturally assume the Russians have also received similar orders.
In a perfect world, this terrifying premise could have fuelled an episode of the Twilight Zone (with a twist ending where everyone takes each other out only to discover it was just a mock scenario). Here, against the backdrop of a burning world below them, some team members wrestle with their morality while others are ready to take out their competitors.
One can’t help but question how Hollywood will utilise DeBose post her Oscar win – the industry doesn’t need song-and-dance talents as much these days – however, her charm and commanding presence are effectively used in this scenario. Practical effects are used smoothly without errors or issues. A rushed plot detail involving a cure for radiation sickness hardly has time to raise eyebrows. If any criticism could be levied against the film, it’s that it ends too swiftly. An additional 10 minutes to develop the storylines and subplots would have been appreciated.