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Home - Movies - I.S.S (2023) – Movie Review and Summary (with Spoilers)

I.S.S (2023) – Movie Review and Summary (with Spoilers)

In “I.S.S.,” it appears Ariana DeBose plans to actively avoid the usual Oscar slump a lot of people, especially people of color, experience via a sci-fi drama where there is a nuclear war and a battle for the International Space Station.

ByAmari Allah Hours Posted onJune 19, 2023 10:21 PMApril 4, 2025 4:04 PM Hours Updated onApril 4, 2025 4:04 PM
Kira (Ariana DeBose)

Spoiler Alert: This summary and review contains spoilers.


Additionally, some images and text may include affiliate links, meaning we may earn a commission or receive products if you make a purchase.


  • Film Summary
    • Character Descriptions
      • Kira
      • Veronica
      • Alexi
      • Nikolai
      • Gordon
      • Christopher
  • Review
    • Highlights
      • Never Knowing Who To Trust Or Who May Live
    • On The Fence
      • A Difficult Ending To Accept
  • General Information
    • F.A.Q.s
    • What Is There Worth Noting, Content Wise?

Film Summary

Images and text in this post may contain affiliate links. If a purchase is made from those sites, we may earn money or products from the company.

Kira, a new member of the International Space Station, has left a lot behind on Earth, mostly heartache, and now just wants to focus on her research dealing with growing organs. However, as nuclear war breaks out on Earth, she finds herself stuck between her American colleagues and their Russian counterparts who are tasked with taking over the International Space Station – by any means necessary.

Character Descriptions

Please Note: This character guide is not an exhaustive list of every cast member, and character descriptions may contain what can be considered spoilers.

Kira

Kira is a doctor who, thanks to the loss of a family, has dedicated her research to organ replacement. However, due to complications in her personal life and research on Earth, she has come to the International Space Station to progress what she started.

  • The Actor Is Also Known For: Her Role in “Summer: The Donna Summer Musical” and Her Role in “West Side Story.”

Veronica

Veronica is a Russian woman who helps bridge relations between the Russians and Americans.

Alexi

Alexi handles communications for the Russians and is Nikolai’s brother.

  • The Actor Is Also Known For: His Role in “Lucy”

Nikolai

Nikolai is a researcher like Kira, focusing on radiation poisoning, which becomes highly valuable after the events on Earth.

Gordon

Gordon is the leader of the Americans and Veronica’s partner.

  • The Actor Is Also Known For: His Role in “The Boogeyman,” Victor Zsasz in “Birds of Prey,” Detective Richard Willis in “Sharp Objects.”

Christopher

Christopher is a California native who rides up with Kira and isn’t new to the Internationship Space Station.

  • The Actor Is Also Known For: His Role in “Come Play,” His Role in “Short Term 12” and His Role in “The Miseducation of Cameron Post.”

Review

Our Rating: Positive (Worth Seeing)

Highlights

Never Knowing Who To Trust Or Who May Live

The International Space Station with Earth on fire thanks to nuclear war
“The International Space Station with Earth on fire thanks to nuclear war,” I.S.S, directed by Gabriela Cowperthwaite, 2023, (Tribeca Film Festival)

Because a slew of complicated relationships are going on, it is hard to figure out who may live or die ultimately. Gordon and Veronica are dating, Alexi and Nikolai are brothers, and Christopher just wants to get home to his kids, so anything could happen. Never mind, these people have known each other for years, and while that comes with a certain level of camaraderie, it also makes being told to take over the space station by any means seemingly permission to kill that person who has long gotten on your nerves. Hell, maybe someone you’ve been envious of.

So with this in mind, you’re led to question who may die first, if someone may fake their death, and as the numbers dwindle, how wild may things get for it isn’t just the orders from the ground everyone is worried about, but also the I.S.S falling and needing a thruster boost to not burn in Earth’s atmosphere and crash to the ground.

On The Fence

A Difficult Ending To Accept

It is incredibly difficult to nail the ending for a movie like this. Either you have to kill off all but one, have everyone die, have one side win, or there ultimately be a compromise. No way of ending this is going to satisfy everyone, and then comes the question of how far into a resolution and maybe epilogue will you go? Will you show Earth after a nuclear war begins and give an idea of what happens after the final scene? Where to cut things off and ultimately leave the audience to fill in the blanks is a challenge, and, unfortunately, where “I.S.S” ends likely will leave you frustrated.

General Information

Director(s) Gabriela Cowperthwaite
Screenplay By Nick Shafir
Based On N/A
Date Released (Film Festival – Tribeca Film Festival) June 18, 2023
Genre(s) Drama, Sci-Fi, Thriller
Film Length 1 Hour 35 Minutes
Content Rating Not Rated
Noted Characters and Cast
Kira Ariana DeBose
Veronica Masha Mashkova
Alexi Pilou Asbæk
Nikolai Costa Ronin
Gordon Chris Messina
Christopher John Gallagher Jr.

You can also check our movies page for more recommendations and our latest movie reviews.

F.A.Q.s

What Is There Worth Noting, Content Wise?

There are depictions of murder as well as blood.

Kira (Ariana DeBose)
I.S.S (2023) – Movie Review and Summary (with Spoilers)
Overall
While imperfect, there is no denying as you question who may live, die, and if survivors will even get to celebrate their victory, “I.S.S” takes you for a ride.
Highlights
Never Knowing Who To Trust Or Who May Live
Disputable
A Difficult Ending To Accept
80

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Listed Under Categories: Movies, Positive (Worth Seeing)

Related Tags: Ariana DeBose, Chris Messina, Costa Ronin, Drama, Film Festival, Gabriela Cowperthwaite, John Gallagher Jr., Masha Mashkova, Nick Shafir, Not Rated, Pilou Asbaek, Sci-Fi, Thriller, Tribeca Festival, Tribeca Film Festival

Amari Allah

Amari is the founder and head writer of Wherever-I-Look.com and has been writing reviews since 2010, with a focus on dramas and comedies.

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