Overview
3022 is a 2019 American science fiction thriller film directed John Suits and co-starring Omar Epps, Kate Walsh and Miranda Cosgrove. The film focuses on astronauts aboard a deep space station who, after a global catastrophe, lose contact with Earth, expertly portraying concepts of psychological breakdown, struggle and human connection.
3022 grabbed attention on digital streaming platforms. This film was not only low budget, but having little theatrical exposure allowed the film to develop a niche audience consumers interested in space-based cerebral science fiction.
Plot Summary
Four astronauts live aboard Pangea, a space refueling station between Earth and Europa One, Earth’s first colonization in space. Set in 2190, the crew consists:
Captain John Laine as the responsible and disciplined Pangea captain.
Engineer Jackie Miller as an emotionally grounded, intelligent and pragmatic crew member.
Dr. Richard Valin, an unhinged psychiatrist.
Lisa Brown, a technician who silently and observantly oversees the crew’s activities.
The crew is almost halfway through a decade-long mission. At first, they are capable of functioning normally and keeping the station and their sanity intact. Laine and Jackie seem to begin to pull a little romance, which indicates emotional support that helps the couple to manage their isolation.
The psychological damage, however, begins to surface. Valin begins to have these episodes and increasingly stops doing the activities that are a part of his routine. His behavior is reckless, and the rest of the crew are worried for his safety. Before they have the opportunity to help him out, an astonishing catastrophe strikes: an Earth-shattering light emerges from the world’s horizon, comms are lost, and all sensors claim to have detected Earth’s destruction. With no comms or guidance from their base, the crew is lost to panic and despair.
The remaining crew are conflicted as to whether they should follow through with an emergency evacuation, ration their supplies, or simply sit and wait to be rescued. Hope comes in the form of a group of survivors that board a damaged shuttle. The survivors claim that they were training in a different station during the time of Earth’s destruction. At first this seems advantageous, but stress peaks as life support systems are overloaded due to the extra burden.
One of the new arrivals becomes violent to ensure his survival, murdering others in the process. The station is split in two in a futile attempt to contain the threat and preserve oxygen. Valin dies, and with him, Laine and Jackie’s connection is lost.
Laine to this day searches for other survivors, drifting in a decaying module. Eventually, he finds Jackie, and the two of them reunite, scarred yet whole. This gives the film a deeply optimistic conclusion, that blasts of connection can exist even in the unforgiving emptiness of outer space.
Characters and Performances
Captain John Laine is played by Omar Epps who gives a measured yet commanding portrayal of a man nearly broken by the unending weight of despair that is his duty.
In Jackie Miller, Kate Walsh brings a deeply human portrayal of a rational woman grappled with the empathetic pull that goes beyond emotions and intertwines with ethics.
As a Dr. Richard Valin, Angus Macfadyen’s portrayal of a mad psychiatrist is a compelling descent into disturbia that is the fragile intertwining of psychosis and nuance that the film’s beginning is underpinned to.
As a shaken Lisa Brown, Miranda Cosgrove portrays a muffled scream that perfectly captures the aura of the world crashing down in a silence of unshaped chaos.
Every performer adds a dimensional quality to their character, even though the script has little to no dialogue and the setting is tight. The character relationships in a story of psychological battle do most of the heavy lifting.
Direction and Atmosphere
As the director, John Suits keeps the action happening within a stark and visually sparse space, so the feeling of tension and dread continually lingers. Because the setting is a space station, the overall look and feel is muted cold lighting and metal tones, which, in turn, accentuates the crew’s emotional and physical isolation.
The score, done by Jimmy LaValle, creates a haunting and melancholic atmosphere, which deepens the feeling of emptiness and loneliness. The cinematography also avoids anything visually grand, in favor of focuses on close-ups and quiet, despairing moments, which is akin to most intellectual space films.
The film takes the entire story within the space station. Because the action is mostly character-driven, the film resembles a stage play with the setting, requiring the performances and the atmosphere to do all the heavy lifting, with little to no action, or CGI-heavy show elements.
Themes
Isolation and Psychological Deterioration
The main theme of 3022 is the effect of prolonged isolation on the human mind. The characters experience increasing levels of anxiety and depression as time marches on. Early on, we see Valin begin to chaotically succumb to isolation, but over time, we see that every character is forced to confront the harsh reality of pressure and human limits.
Looking Forward to Something Better
Jackie, even when faced with the dire reality, holds on to the fact that someone will come, which is a representation of human hope. Laine’s reunion with Jackie after many years shows that hope in a desolate scenario is indeed possible.
Ethical Questions
The new scenario presented in the film is: what if the new crew members have to start killing the previous members in order to stay alive? This scenario tests the limits of morality and ethics, which is the central focus of the film.
Defining Oneself Without the Earth
As a result of not having Earth, the crew members have to grapple with purposelessness. This issue is what propels the conflict, as they have to reimagine living their lives in a reality where humanity is obsolete.
Production and Release
3022 makes the most out of a limited budget by utilizing solid acting, sharp direction, and a well crafted atmosphere instead of elaborate effects. The film 3022 was released in November of 2019. It received little attention in theaters and was instead released on streaming services.
In the beginning of 2020, the film regained attention as the world faced the COVID-19 pandemic. It received attention on multiple streaming services and, much like a phoenix, found a surprising second life.
Reception
The film was awarded both praise and criticism. Many critics enjoyed the performance by the cast and the film’s psicological intricacies, with some even calling it a work of art. On the other hand, some critics cited the film’s over-reliance on space dramas like Moon or Sunshine as the main reason it soulless. There was a noticeable lack of visual effects, and some critics attributed it to lack of funds, while others just accepted it as a given.
The audience’s take on the film was much more positive. The film was well received by people who watched low-key sci-fi and enjoyed the focus on the narrative instead of special effects. 3022 may not be the most original of the space dramas, but it is still enjoyable with its brilliant character focused moments and it’s lingering, haunting atmosphere.
Conclusion
3022 is an atmospheric and introspective science fiction film that focuses more on character development rather than flashy futuristic technology. The film’s emotional core is unique and reflects a deeply isolating and timeless experience.
The film’s story—with its small cast and single setting—is tragic yet hopeful and showcases the deep need humans have for connection, even when the universe is unforgiving and vast. It’s a still, haunting tale of what transpires when home is lost and what’s left of us when we become the remnants.
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