I.S.S. review — Why the film failed at Box office?

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I.S.S. review

What would you do if you were an astronaut on the international space station and got orders to take control of the I.S.S. by any means?

This is the story of Gabriela Cowperthwaite’s new film I.S.S, where a group of American astronauts have been ordered to take on the space station as war has broken between the United States and Russia.

In this blog, you will find everything you need to know about the movie: release date, plot, cast, and everything else.

I.S.S. trailer

I.S.S. release date

The film had its world premiere at the Tribeca Festival on June 12, 2023. It was released in theaters in the United States on January 19, 2024, and generated $1.2 million in the first week. The film only got a 5.7/10 rating on IMDb and received mixed reviews from viewers.

Where to watch I.S.S?

The film is now playing in North American theaters. There is no word on the international release date, but we are expecting to see it get a UK release date early in 2024.

More about the film

The movie is a tense drama set on the International Space Station, where scientists from competing nations work together, setting aside their differences. However, earthly conflicts challenge their unity, forcing them to choose between national loyalty and the spirit of global cooperation symbolized by the I.S.S.

Tension arises when American scientists question if their Russian counterparts have received similar orders from their country. The film quickly resolves this mystery for the audience, revealing the Russians’ actions and intentions. This clarity diminishes the suspense, as viewers no longer speculate about potential sabotage or deceit among the crew. The film openly displays the crew members’ actions and intentions, eliminating the possibility of surprise, even in the supposed twist in the third act.

Character development is another weak point. The film offers superficial glimpses into the astronauts’ personal lives, neglecting to fully explore even some of the Russian crew members. This superficial characterization leaves the actors with limited material, resulting in forgettable performances where the characters come across as mere placeholders, fulfilling script requirements rather than offering meaningful contributions.

Who is the director of the film?

Gabriela Cowperthwaite has directed the movie. She is an American filmmaker known for Blakfish, Our Friend, and The Grab.

In a recent interview, Cowperthwaite discussed his collaboration with cinematographer Nick Matthews and said, “Oh my gosh, he’s just one of my favorite collaborations of all time. He understood from the jump that I wanted this claustrophobic feeling, that I always wanted this insidiousness to creep in. I told him about the surveillance cameras, like I just want those on at all times, that black and white surveillance feeling, because I want you to always feel like ground control is watching you. He just got it from the beginning”.

The cast of I.S.S.

The main cast members of the film are listed below.

  1. Ariana DeBose as Dr. Kira Foster
    • Known for West Side Story, The Prom, and Schmigadoon!
  2. Chris Messina as Gordon Barrett
    • Known for The Mindy Project, Sharp Objects, and Birds of Prey
  3. John Gallagher Jr. as Christian Campbell
    • Known for The Newsroom, Short Term 12, and 10 Cloverfield Lane
  4. Maria Mashkova as Weronika Vetrov
    • Known for Sniper: Reloaded and Dovlatov
  5. Costa Ronin as Nicholai Pulov
    • Known for The Americans, Homeland, and Red Sparrow
  6. Pilou Asbæk as Alexey Pulov
    • Known for Game of Thrones, Borgen, and Ghost in the Shell

I.S.S on Twitter

I.S.S in news

According to Variety, January’s typically slow period for cinema has been evident at the box office. The newly released space thriller “I.S.S.” debuted to a tepid reception, securing only $1.2 million from its first day and preview showings in 2,520 theaters. This performance suggests a lackluster opening weekend for the film.

Wrap Up

The film concludes abruptly, leaving viewers dissatisfied. Its central message is clear: prioritizing national allegiance over shared humanity could lead to catastrophe. However, in its eagerness to convey this message, the film sacrifices the potential to be a compelling thriller, focusing more on the moral lesson than on creating an engaging, suspenseful narrative.

Written by Mickel Clark

Mickel is a streaming aficionado who loves nothing more than to pen down his thoughts about the movies, anime and TV shows he has watched and likes sharing hacks on how to stream them online.