This movie was so unexpectedly good, it makes most people remember it over after watching the first time. With Ben Foster in lead a space corporal freshly awakened from hyper sleep, it opens us immediately into a dark, and mysterious world aboard a "noah's ark" like space shuttle, Elysium. Without memory of who he is, or why is was awakened, we are instantly drawn into a deeply rich and ominous unfolding of what has become of a seemingly abandoned massive ship initially built to transport earth's survivors on an 8 year mission to a new planet, Now powerless & adrift off course. His only other surviving crew member & higher ranking officer , Is played by a brilliantly auspicious Randy Quaid. The dynamics of their relationship and lack of knowledge of who they were both serve as a great catalyst to the plot throughout this already anxiety ridden, psychological mind screw.
Without giving entire storyline away, i will say the movie makes very quick progress in its twist & turns, as we are also made aware that, "technological failure"
are not the only obstacles of the officer's plight, aboard the ship. As its now been populated by a species of unknown humanoid cannibalistic creatures, whose origin and existence also serve as one of the more ominous mysteries this little gem of a movie bestows upon us. The movie is fast paced, very well conceptualized & has a nail biting soundtrack and editing that very much resembles a David Fincher vibe. Without trying to hard to emulate any other film of its genre, it holds up well the entire 109 mins keeping viewers engaged in a very jarring world within a world. As Ben foster is sent to investigate the ship, we're 100% thrown into suspense as every character he comes in contact with, (& everwhere) is either an ally or more dangerous enemy. This one will forever be etched your brain as you simply wasn't expecting it. I consider it a cult-classic for sure, though its biggest crime is how massively underrated it was upon release. Blame marketing. But its an all around great film.
