Synopsis
I.S.S. (International Space Station) is a 2023 thrilling science fiction film directed Gabriela Cowperthwaite. The movie’s futuristic premise of the International Space Station (I.S.S.) serves as the stage of a grim imagination where a nuclear war is unleashed on the Earth. In the midst of the war, three American and three Russian astronauts have to grapple with soaring emotions and conflicting orders to sustain some semblance of humanity in the orbit.
The movie begins with the portrayal of Dr Kira Foster, an American biologist and the newest addition to the I.S.S. team. American astronauts Commander Gordon Barrett and Christian Campbell, a scientist, are already on the I.S.S. and are joined by Russian cosmonauts Weronika Vetrov, Nicholai Pulov, and Alexey Pulov.
The astronauts’ interaction at the beginning seems to be driven by a mutual goal, and a relatively synergistic routine brings about teamwork, scientific cooperation, shared mealtimes, and orderly day-to-day life. However, everything changes when the crew witnesses the Earth is undergoing massive explosions and bright flashes of light. It soon becomes clear to them that a nuclear war between the United States and Russia has begun.
Moments later, military orders are sent to both sides: each is instructed to “secure control of the station by any means necessary.”
Trust catalyzes a collapse, and Kira and the others are thrown into a fight-or-flight scenario. Astronauts start taking sides, communicating only to sabotage, disable modules, and interrogate each other’s loyalty. The isolation of space transforms from just physical to also emotional and ideological.
As confrontations and betrayals escalate, violence spills over, leading to casualties. The resulting chaos and Kira’s Russian companion as the only two survivors push them into a defiance inspired descent to earth, carrying vital data and defying government orders.
Cast and Characters
Ariana DeBose as Dr. Kira Foster: Kira is a newcomer to the station and the film’s emotional core. She is a hopeful, idealistic counter to the ethnocentric unilateral military decisions of other characters. DeBose’s portrayal of Kira is grounded and emotionally tethered.
Chris Messina as Gordon Barrett: The American Commander Barrett tries to impose order and fails. The strain of domestic orders shifts the story’s balance upon him as he faces a mounting moral conflict.
John Gallagher Jr. as Christian Campbell: One of the veteran astronauts in the movie, he rapidly develops distrust, depicting the clash of personal morality against collective national allegiance.
Masha Mashkova as Weronika Vetrov: This Russian cosmonaut develops an intricate relationship with Kira which illustrates the fine balance between allegiance and camaraderie amid conflict.
The remaining Russian space crew members, played by Costa Ronin and Pilou Asbæk, approach the issue of how best to deal with the conflict from opposing angles. These characters, while often forgotten, help to illustrate that the Russians are not only hostages of the conflict, or of their surrounding world, but also of the lies and illusions that tend to prevail.
Direction and Production
Gabriela Cowperthwaite, director of the film, gained recognition for the documentary Blackfish, and therefore brought an understanding and empathic perspective for this movie. Even if the premise is fictional, the movie is grounded on real world tensions and the symbolism of the International Space Station as a site of international collaboration and peaceful scientific competition and cooperation.
The film stays within a very modest budget. Nevertheless, the space station interiors are convincing and the set design captures the cramped, functional, and roughshod nature of the ISS. The camera work and lighting used in the film adds to the sense of tension, which is incredibly important in a film set in space.
Nick Shafir is the author of the screenplay that made it to the 2020 Black List of the best unproduced screenplays in Hollywood. Unlike most deep space sci-fi screenplays, this one does not rely on very elaborate effects or gadgets.
Themes
- Cooperation vs. Conflict
The ISS has long represented the American and Russian collaboration, as the only military powers to launch manned space flights. The film inverts this, asking the question of what happens when that fragile alliance is tested by war. I.S.S. is a case study of what happens to collaboration when nationalistic interests take over.
- Ethics Under Pressure
The film asks the most fundamental one: Should astronauts on a space station obey immoral orders from a control center on the Earth? Set on a powerful conflict of obedience to orders, the answer shifts for each character — and often, the answer is deadly.
- Human Identity Beyond Borders
Kira, a leading character, starts as a strong believer of the ideal of international science cooperation. She has to come to terms that even in science, people can be used as political tools. Her decision to drop sides and act unilaterally reinforces the idea that human nature is above nationality.
- The Thin Line Between War and Peace
Trust can be shattered in seconds and with it, everything that has been built with great effort crumbles. The story demonstrates how fragile peace can be, and how even the most sophisticated, neutral, and remote places in the world are not immune to chaos. The calm, orderly part of the ISS is an oasis of Earth’s chaos, a bubble filled with orderly processes. When everything becomes a trust-free zone, that bubble bursts, and the chaos of Earth spills into space.
Tone and Style of Music
At times, the film crosses into psychological horror and the tension is built with a very slow, steady rhythm. It is void of aliens, futuristic and void of any science fiction devices that are “over the top.” The film has it’s share of tension, but that does not stem from aliens. The tension in the film is built with paranoia, distrust, and uncertainty surrounding humans and how they behave under pressure.
Close up shots and narrow space framing give the hard to breathe claustrophobic view the visual feel of the world’s outer space. The character’s emotional isolation is enhanced by the score, which is quiet yet filled with an ominous feel and supports throughout the film’s slow burn atmosphere.
The film’s pacing is energetic, with sharp calm scenes in the first half. That calmness quickly changes and chaos occurs, with the introduction of violence and betrayers galore. The film’s score is a mix of upbeat and energetic, which adds to the film’s atmosphere.
Reception and Criticism
Reviews I.S.S received were either mixed or leaning to positive. Critics and audience noted the performances and specifically singled out Ariana DeBose for lending nuance to a role that was at risk of becoming deeply stereotypical. Her remarkable portrayal of emotional restraint, resilience, and courageous strength makes Kira one of the most interesting Science Fiction heroines in recent memory.
Most online I.S.S. reviews complimented the production design and detail to realism of the setting. Those acquainted with space operations noticed the enforcement of space station protocols and usage of relevant hardware, even if the plot’s political curve was considered outlandish by some.
However, the film received harsh criticism. Some viewers thought that the story’s violent turn was overly simplified or too premature given the extensive training and psychological evaluation astronauts undergo. Further, too few moments were devoted to the development of the Russian characters, with some of the few moments lacking enough depth to make sense.
However, many still praised I.S.S. for being one of the few movies to tackle issues such as trust, loyalty, morality, alongside humanity’s perpetual struggle to hope in the face of destruction.
Conclusion
I.S.S. as a modern space drama is unique as it does not center on technology but rather human conscience. The modern space drama addresses human nature through uncomfortably large questions. I.S.S. features a gripping sci-fi thriller full of suspense anchored in geopolitical tension.
At its core, I.S.S. is a movie about the space based conflicts humanity faces even in orbit. Instead of a fast-paced scale blockbuster, it highlights a dreadfully understated truth about humanity and our noblest ideals of unity, cooperation, and peace.
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