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.
[Unless Said Otherwise] Spoiler Alert: This summary and review contains spoilers.
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Film Summary
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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
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. |
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F.A.Q.s
What Is There Worth Noting, Content Wise?
There are depictions of murder as well as blood.
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