‘I.S.S.’: Speculative Thriller Gets Lost in Space With an Assured Ariana DeBose 

Alci Rengifo

Typically, space thrillers like to focus on the cosmic grandeur and hostile environment of cold and zero gravity. “I.S.S.” aims to make it more about the astronauts involved, keeping them confined to a cramped space. The most dangerous threats here have nothing to do with aliens or strange, unexplained forces. Instead, this movie ponders the very simple idea of an international space station becoming a geopolitical brawl. So, there is definitely much promise here. Strong acting comes close to really selling it as well. Yet, director Gabriela Cowperthwaite sometimes tones down the material too much just when it should be a full on allegory for what is happening now. In film, a big enemy of being bold can be becoming too vague.

As stated by the title, the action takes place aboard the International Space Station sometime in what we can assume is the near future. American and Russian astronaut teams work in the station with magnificent views of Earth down below. On the American side is Dr. Kira Foster (Ariana DeBose), Gordon Barrett (Chris Messina) and Christian Campbell (John Gallagher Jr.). Over on the Russian aisle are Weronika Vetrov (Maria Mashkova), Alexey Pulov (Pilou Asbæk) and Nicholai Pulov (Costa Ronin). Kira is a biologist carrying out a project involving mice. At first all is calm on the station as the crew avoids politics, aside from a few nostalgic memories about the fall of the USSR. Something is clearly wrong back down at home when fiery flashes appear. Nuclear war has erupted between the U.S. and Russia. Messages are secretly sent to both nationalities from their respective governments, ordering them to take control of the station.

The screenplay for “I.S.S.” by Nick Shafir is one of those Black List selections that give all aspiring writers the hope that any idea inspired by the news can get picked up. As allegory or speculation, it does make perfect sense considering the ongoing Russian war in Ukraine and continuing geopolitical tensions. The last two years have been dominated by fears of a wider conflict where someone will eventually push the red button. Cowperthwaite sets the tone strongly with a great set that doesn’t overuse visual effects. The strongest act is the first one, where we get to know the astronauts and their cultural differences. A dinner conversation turns into a discussion on the Scorpions’ “Wind of Change,” a cherished song by Eastern Europeans who remember the ‘80s uprisings against the Soviet Union. The sight of nuclear fire down below on our planet has a haunting quality enhanced by the crew members’ disorientation about what’s going on.

When the plot kicks into full thriller mode the movie quickly loses much of its originality. Cowperthwaite never goes beyond the simple skeleton. Good speculative films build their scenarios more fully, like “Crimson Tide,” where nuclear war nearly takes place because Russian nationalists are storming Moscow. The only thing we know for sure in this movie is that the U.S. and Russia are exchanging warheads. Why? You could argue that in light of current events, any scenario the audience imagines is plausible. Yet, never is any of it questioned, discussed or even pondered by the crew. You would think these intelligent, highly trained astronauts would wonder why they’re meant to kill each other in space. A nuclear war doesn’t just explode out of nowhere, so it’s also strange that some kind of simmering tension between the superpowers never colors the chatter in the station. These days, topics like Ukraine and Gaza can come up with the cashier at your local supermarket.

Like many a thriller, “I.S.S.” mostly showcases good talents in the technical and acting departments. This is Ariana DeBose’s first major feature since winning an Oscar for a magnificent performance in Steven Spielberg’s “West Side Story.” She flawlessly demonstrates having the sharpness and grit for something like “Alien.” The rest of the cast are efficient and do well in being cautious, sneaky and eventually violent. Inevitably, no one is trustworthy and astronauts get stabbed, throw punches or get left outside to freeze in the cosmic void. The final moments involving a capsule and making a plunge for Earth feel plucked out of a ‘80s Cold War thriller calling for coexistence. This is fine, but it just needs a stronger narrative where we understand better the world of these characters before it’s all reduced to a standoff. The astronauts shouldn’t be as clueless as the audience.

“I.S.S.” releases Jan. 19 in theaters nationwide.