‘I.S.S.’ is a science fiction thriller, revolving around the crew within the International Space Station. After conflict breaks out on earth, the crew are pitted against each other as their respective governments send though a transmission – to take over the I.S.S.
Welcoming two new American crew members aboard the I.S.S. Dr. Kira Foster (Ariana DeBose) and Christian Campbell (John Gallagher Jr.) are taken in by Gordon Barrett (Chris Messina) and the Russian cosmonauts Weronika Vetrov (Masha Mashkova) and brothers Nicholai (Costa Ronin) and Alexey Pulov (Pilou Asbæk). Overcoming initial awkwardness, the team get on well.
Setting up her experiment, the reason for her mission on the I.S.S., Kira sets up her lab of mice in order to monitor experimental organ development and growth. Forewarned by Alexey that live subjects rarely survive long together aboard the station, the film foreshadows its conclusion in a less than subtle approach. Setting the tone for the rest pf the feature, the story lacks nuance, as it introduces a case of largely one-dimensional characters and a story that lacks intrigue and suspense.
Witnessing large-scale explosions on earth, the crew retreat within the station, with Gordon receiving a transmission from the U.S. government to take over the station. Fairly contrived, the film pushes forward, not revealing the message the Russians have received, with the Americans speculating on how to proceed.
Having chosen a fairly predictable course of action, the film invites us to speculate alongside the Americans on how the Russians will carry on. Knowing that betrayal and sabotage are due to follow, the film does exactly that and starts picking off its characters one by one. Offering little by way of character exploration, the heels rear their heads fairly quickly and we’re left to see how they will approach taking out the rest.
Mustering a few instances of suspense however, the film shoots to thrill when presenting conflict. As Gordon attempts the spacewalk to repair the allegedly broken antenna, we witness misdeeds from within the station as he is forced off by an animatronic hand, operated by Nicholai. Following on, the diversion posed by Weronika that goes awry, resulting in her death, also introduces a little intrigue towards Christian’s ulterior motives and ultimate goals.
Leaving little mystery for the end however, Christian is revealed to be planning to abandon everybody else and escape the station with Alexey’s research. Played wonderfully by John Gallagher Jr., Christian is a character that’s easy to hate, with Gallagher evoking a dark undertone to all of his character’s actions and ultimately earning to deliver his double-crossing and treacherous tendencies.
Suffering a lack of originality, the ‘I.S.S.’ delivers a story told before, with excellent editing and visual features, yet lacking to utilize this space to deliver anything unique or exciting. Concluding on a somewhat hopeful note, the film does not take advantage of its setting to try and squeeze a surprise dark twist ending, rather settling on a somewhat promising conclusion, as the two survivors manage to see past their differences and wish for the best on their return to earth.
Score: 2/4
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