STOWAWAY | FILM REVIEW
Dir: Joe Penna (12, 116 mins)
A taut chamber piece of a sci-fi movie that places humanity at its centre, Stowaway is a welcome drama that questions morality and what makes life worth living. A space mission blasts off, its destination Mars. On board are three crew members: Toni Colette’s solid commander, Daniel dae Kim’s ambitious scientist and Anna Kendrick’s excited doctor. Unbeknownst to them however, a member of the ground crew has become stuck on board played by Shamier Anderson, surviving the launch but causing unfolding problems.
Following damage caused at launch, their ship only has enough oxygen for three; there’s no way it will last them a two-year mission to Mars. Unable to turn back, the crew has a devastating decision to make. Played for reality, this four-hander ratchets up the moral tension. All four characters are likeable and flawed, embodied with skill by the actors.
There’s no big baddie here, just ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances having to make a terrible decision. Kendrick is excellent as the idealistic doctor desperate to do something to save their stowaway; her crew members, though riddled with guilt, are far more pragmatic. Inevitably a possible solution presents itself, but will it be enough?
The ensemble cast excel – there’s not even a voice of mission control, everything is seen through these four characters’ eyes and ears. There are set pieces, a fraught space walk proving especially gruelling – the film takes its time, laying groundwork to make you care for these characters. Mostly avoiding cliché, Stowaway veers more towards Gravity or First Man with its grounded approach. The SFX isn’t there for show but helps tell the story, backing up a script which asks some hard questions about the worth of a life. Gripping throughout, this is sci-fi with empathy.
Out now via Netflix
words KEIRON SELF