Synopsis
Joe Penna directed the 2021 science fiction thriller `Stowaway’, which he co-wrote with Ryan Morrison. Unlike most works in the space exploration subgenre which are action-oriented, ‘Stowaway’ is a morally complex space survival film that interweaves a character study of existential frailty alongside the burdens of survival and endurance in space. The film mostly takes place on a spaceship bound for Mars, and poses a simple yet devastatingly harrowing question: what happens when a spaceship that is designed to accommodate three people suddenly has to cater for four?
The film opens with the launch of MTS-42, a spacecraft with a two year mission to Mars. THe crew is made up of three highly trained professionals, Commander Marina Barnett (Toni Collette), biologist David Kim (Daniel Dae Kim) and medical researcher Zoe Levenson (Anna Kendrick). Each crew member has a specialized role, and their interactions are congenial and calm, which suggests a minimal level of drama between them.
We suddenly encounter an alarming complication shortly into the ship’s cruise towards Mars: a fourth member of the crew, Michael Adams (Shamier Anderson), an unconscious launch support engineer, happened to become an unintentional passenger on the ship after having gotten himself lodged within a maintenance hatch pre- launch.
For the time being, the crew attempts to accommodate and work around his need for passivity. In this case, their collective approach is to try and make him a part of the ship’s functioning. Unfortunately, it soon becomes clear that the spacecraft has room only for three people in suspension for the duration of the mission. The most life-threatening complication is the spacecraft’s life support system, which consists of a partially functional carbon dioxide scrubber. Because of Michael’s lack of intent to stowaway, the system’s effective pressure during the mission is compromised and oxygen is scarce. With four crew members and a defective system, the chances of surviving until they reach Mars becomes impossible.
This disturbing disclosure culminates in an intensifying crisis. The crew, especially David and Marina, brainstorm ways to conserve oxygen, including advancing the growth of the algae in David’s oxygen-generating experiment. With each passing attempt, it becomes more evident that soon enough, science will not offer a solution in time.
Dreadfully those life-and-death consequences come paired with ethical dilemmas, leaving the crew no choice but to decide whether one of them needs to die to save the others. Not through acts or tantrums, the film portrays the decision through calm dialogues, intense inner struggles, and silent reflection. Every single one of them confronts their unique perception of the world, personal conviction, morals, and scope of responsibility. There is Commander Barnett grappling with her duty as a leader, and the well-being of her crew. David rides the wave of detached logic and scientific rationality. The “heart” of the tale, Zoe, fiercely battles against the urge to embrace ruthless utilitarianism, tirelessly searching for alternatives where hope appears to vanish.
Stowaway’s noteworthy execution is in the poignant spacewalk that Zoe undertakes to retrieve extra oxygen boosters from the external reservoir. Her willingness to take on such a task evokes an indelible and noble self-sacrifice. A poignant truth lies in the ending as it does not resolve in the way typical sci-fi stories would: rather have Zoe accept the truth that she may need to sacrifice herself to give the others a fighting chance to survive.
Cast & Crew
The film is led by a compact but powerful cast of four, each effortlessly living into and portraying the subtleties of their character’s emotion and thoughts throughout the film.
In a comedic and samguk style role, Anna Kendrick brings life to Zoe Levenson’s character. Stepping into the new catagory, Zoe is deep and exudes an inner strength. Kendrick’s zeal serves the film’s moral questions on justice with warmth and emotional clarity.
Finally, Daniel Dae Kim as David Kim delivers a dual performance full of reservoir intellect and emotional depth. There is David Kim the pragmatic scientist and there is David caught in the web of ethics of his own conscience which adds layers to the crew’s dynamics.
Toni Collette as Commander Marina Barnett brings the weight expected of a mission commander in a space flight. She is commanding and rational, but you can tell she is dealing with the enormous burden of the choices she has to leave considering. Collette’s performance adds tension to the emotional heart of the story.
As Michael Adams, Shamier Anderson depicts the ‘stowaway’ character with tender brokenness. He feels guilt and confusion and desperate, to begin with, but is not at any point rendered a mere tool of the story—it is essential to the emotional complexity of the film.
With previous works consisting of the 2018 survival film Arctic, director Joe Penna showcases his aptitude for minimalist storytelling. In Stowaway, human endurance alongside moral dilemmas takes the forefront once more. The writing, which is compiled by Penna and Morrison, is understated, candid, and crafted without heavy-handed explanations. Their screenplay is devoid of victory monologues or climactic one-liners and instead prioritizes self-confrontation and restraint.
The production design by Marco Bittner Rosser together with Klemens Becker’s cinematography set the mood of the film, which is claustrophobic and isolating. Everything about the ship interior decor is real and functional, accentuating the fragility of life in space. The strategic use of silence in addition to the film’s audio design increases intensity and creates tension, allowing the audience to feel the tension without bombarding them with music or effects.
Stowaway: imdb ratings
Stowaway continues to earn a mediocre reception, presently sitting at a relatively low 5.6 out of 10 star rating on IMDb. This score highlights the fragmented opinions Stowaway has garnered and highlights the divides between critics and audiences. Some viewers laud the film for its emotional depth and multifaceted moral choices, while others criticize it for being too slow and uneventful for a thriller placed in space.
Most reviews see the film as a success. It incorporates realism, delves into wrestles of morality, and captivates the audience through incredible performances from Kendrick and Collette, which critics greatly appreciated.
Stowaway does not escape harsh criticism regarding pacing. Viewers anticipating a fast paced sci fi thrill ride were disappointed by the film’s slower pace. Others argue that the storyline is too straightforward, or the ending is lackluster.
Stowaway has arguably earned a spot among more slower and contemplative pieces of space cinema, appealing to fans of Gravity, The Moon, and The Martian. It is worth noting that these films are approached with considerably denser emotional and philosophical undertones.
Conclusion
Stowaway is a morally complex, contemplative, character-driven film that challenges viewers on multiple levels. Concentrated on a “human drama” occurring in the vacuum of space, the film’s confined setting, and focus on the minimalist design lets the audience’s attention sink into the interpersonal tragedy emerging within the spaceship. The film refrains from providing simplistic, heroic answers—with the brutal truth of scarcity, poignant decisions become inescapable.
Stowaway is a reminder that in the midst of the countless stories told through a technology laden lens, there remains a need to understand the humanity at doubt. It is without a doubt that Stowaway yields an unforgettable emotion, revealing astonishing acts of sacrifice, compassion, and undying hope for those ready to align with the film’s gentle ferocity.
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