Jump to content

Stowaway (2021 film): Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous editNext edit →
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
→Plot: Change EM dash to EN dash
Tags: Mobile edit Mobile web edit Advanced mobile edit
No edit summary
Line 48: Line 48:


==Plot==
==Plot==
The crew of a spaceship on a two-year mission to [[Mars]] consists of captain Marina Barnett, biologist David Kim, and medical researcher Zoe Levenson. After taking off from Earth, the upper stage of their launch vehicle is [[Space tether|tethered]] to the ship's main hull to act as a counterweight for [[inertia]]-based [[artificial gravity]].
The crew of a spaceship on a two-year mission to [[Mars]] consists of captain Marina Barnett, biologist David Kim, and medical researcher Zoe Levenson. After taking off from Earth, the upper stage of their launch vehicle is [[Space tether|tethered]] to the ship's main hull to act as a counterweight for [[inertia]]-based [[artificial gravity]]. During the launch, there is a slight discrepancy in the trajectory, which foreshadows the revelation of extra weight on board. David and Zoe have a rivalry about their alma maters, Harvard and Yale, respectively, and the latter having brought a Yale mug on board uses up 800 grams of their weight allowance, another early indication of the strict tolerances of the operation.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Kiang |first1=Jessica |title=Review: Anna Kendrick is lost, and found, in space in smart sci-fi ‘Stowaway’ |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2021-04-22/stowaway-netflix-review |website=Los Angeles Times |access-date=25 April 2021}}</ref>


Shortly after takeoff, Barnett discovers an accidental [[stowaway]] named Michael. The crew begins to bond with their unexpected fourth member, but Barnett soon learns that Michael inadvertently destroyed the CDRA, a device which scrubs [[carbon dioxide]] from the air on the ship.
Shortly after takeoff, Barnett discovers an accidental [[stowaway]] named Michael. The crew begins to bond with their unexpected fourth member, but Barnett soon learns that Michael inadvertently destroyed the CDRA, a device which scrubs [[carbon dioxide]] from the air on the ship.

Revision as of 20:06, 25 April 2021

Stowaway
Official poster
Directed byJoe Penna
Written by
  • Joe Penna
  • Ryan Morrison
Produced by
  • Ulrich Schwarz
  • Nick Spicer
  • Aram Tertzakian
Starring
CinematographyKlemens Becker
Edited byRyan Morrison
Music byVolker Bertelmann
Production
companies
  • Augenschein Filmproduktion
  • Rise Pictures
  • XYZ Films
  • Rainmaker Films
  • Yale Productions
  • Black Canopy Films
  • MMC Movies
  • Phiphen Pictures
Distributed byNetflix
Release date
  • April 22, 2021 (2021-04-22)
Running time
116 minutes
Countries
  • United States
  • Germany
LanguageEnglish

Stowaway is a 2021 science fiction thriller film, written by Joe Penna and Ryan Morrison and directed by Penna. The film stars Anna Kendrick, Daniel Dae Kim, Shamier Anderson and Toni Collette. The film was released by Netflix and Prime Video (in Canada) on April 22, 2021.[1][2][3]

Plot

The crew of a spaceship on a two-year mission to Mars consists of captain Marina Barnett, biologist David Kim, and medical researcher Zoe Levenson. After taking off from Earth, the upper stage of their launch vehicle is tethered to the ship's main hull to act as a counterweight for inertia-based artificial gravity. During the launch, there is a slight discrepancy in the trajectory, which foreshadows the revelation of extra weight on board. David and Zoe have a rivalry about their alma maters, Harvard and Yale, respectively, and the latter having brought a Yale mug on board uses up 800 grams of their weight allowance, another early indication of the strict tolerances of the operation.[4]

Shortly after takeoff, Barnett discovers an accidental stowaway named Michael. The crew begins to bond with their unexpected fourth member, but Barnett soon learns that Michael inadvertently destroyed the CDRA, a device which scrubs carbon dioxide from the air on the ship.

Without the CDRA, they are forced to use emergency lithium hydroxide canisters to scrub CO2 from the air. However, the canisters can only sustain enough oxygen for two passengers. Barnett orders David to cultivate his algae cultures on the ship rather than at the Martian colony as planned. Only half of the algae survives, providing just enough oxygen for a third crew member. Without another oxygen supply, the crew of four will asphyxiate before reaching Mars.

Barnett asks mission control for a solution that will save all four passengers, but the only option – an untested EVA operation to climb the tethers and recover liquid oxygen from the launch vehicle – is deemed too risky. Barnett and David come to terms with sacrificing Michael, but Zoe convinces them to wait ten days for mission control to think of a solution.

After three days, David explains the situation to Michael and offers him a painless lethal injection. Michael nearly takes his own life, but Zoe convinces him to hold out for a while longer. She insists on climbing the tethers to retrieve the liquid oxygen. David reveals that the rest of the algae has died, leaving only enough oxygen for two, and agrees to join her.

Zoe and David perform the EVA and fill two tanks, which would be enough to sustain two more passengers. However, deadly radiation from a high-energy solar flare forces them to leave one of the tanks behind.[5] They make it back to the ship, but Zoe accidentally drops the first tank, which drifts away into space. Meanwhile, the other tank is slowly leaking oxygen.

After regrouping, the crew realizes that one person must retrieve the second tank so the other three can survive. Michael, David, and Zoe all volunteer to make the sacrifice, but Zoe ultimately insists on doing it herself. She manages to fill and return the tank to the ship before succumbing to radiation poisoning. She spends her final moments outside the ship, gazing at Mars amongst the stars.

Cast

Production

In October 2018, it was announced Anna Kendrick was cast to appear in Joe Penna’s next film, starring as a medical researcher.[6] In January 2019, Toni Collette was added to the cast, in the role of the ship commander.[7] In May, Shamier Anderson was cast as the titular stowaway, and Daniel Dae Kim joined as the ship's biologist.[8][9]

Filming began on June 11, 2019 in Cologne and Munich and wrapped after 30 days.[10][11] YouTuber and science communicator Scott Manley was a consultant for the film.[12]

Release

In November 2018, Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions acquired international distribution rights to the film, excluding the United States.[13] In December 2020, Netflix acquired distribution rights to the film, acquiring territories previously purchased by Sony, with Prime Video set to distribute in Canada.[3][14] The film released on April 22, 2021.[2]

Reception

On review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, Stowaway holds an approval rating of 75% based on 61 reviews, with an average rating of 6.5/10. The site's critics consensus reads, "Pacing problems prevent Stowaway from fully engaging, but it's distinguished by its thoughtful, well-acted approach to a story built on an excruciating moral dilemma."[15] Metacritic assigned the film a weighted average score of 62 out of 100, based on 21 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[16]

References

  1. ^ Fleming Jr., Mike (January 12, 2021). "Netflix Unveils A 2021 Film Slate With Bigger Volume & Star Wattage; Scott Stuber On The Escalating Film Ambition". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on January 12, 2021. Retrieved January 12, 2021.
  2. ^ a b Armstrong, Vanessa (22 March 2021). "Sneak a peek at set photos from Anna Kendrick's sci-fi film, Stowaway, coming to Netflix this April". SYFY WIRE. Retrieved 31 March 2021.
  3. ^ a b @mysteryguitarm (March 25, 2021). "Yeah – same day, but on Amazon Prime" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  4. ^ Kiang, Jessica. "Review: Anna Kendrick is lost, and found, in space in smart sci-fi 'Stowaway'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 25 April 2021.
  5. ^ Hoffman, Jordan (2021-04-22). "Stowaway Review: Netflix's Tense Mission-To-Mars Movie Presents a Surprisingly Down-to-Earth Moral Dilemma". TVGuide.com. Retrieved 2021-04-22. Moral crisis in space! Marina is ready to sacrifice herself, but she can not; she's the only one who can land the ship. David's work is important for the betterment of mankind, plus he's got a wife at home. Zoe, on the other hand, isn't even ready to make these difficult calculations. She's a doctor — "first, do no harm" is her code, but beyond that there's "first, look for a solution." And despite every egghead on Earth telling them there is no solution, she's determined to find one.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  6. ^ Kit, Borys (29 October 2018). "Anna Kendrick to Star in Sci-Fi Thriller 'Stowaway' (Exclusive)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 31 March 2021.
  7. ^ Kroll, Justin (15 January 2019). "Toni Collette Joins Anna Kendrick in Sci-Fi Thriller 'Stowaway' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Retrieved 31 March 2021.
  8. ^ N'Duka, Amanda (17 May 2019). "'Destroyer' Actor Shamier Anderson Joins Anna Kendrick & Toni Colette In 'Stowaway' Thriller". Deadline. Retrieved 31 March 2021.
  9. ^ Vlessing, Etan (22 May 2019). "Daniel Dae Kim Joins Anna Kendrick in Sci-Fi Thriller 'Stowaway'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved 31 March 2021.
  10. ^ Tartaglione, Nancy (22 May 2019). "'Stowaway': Daniel Dae Kim Boards Joe Penna-Directed Thriller – Cannes". Deadline. Retrieved 31 March 2021.
  11. ^ Meza, Ed (10 February 2019). "XYZ Films Nabs German Funds for Anna Kendrick-Toni Colette Thriller". Variety. Retrieved 31 March 2021.
  12. ^ Manley, Scott. "Why The New Movie "Stowaway" Uses A Very Clever Spacecraft Design To Go To Mars". YouTube. YouTube. Retrieved 30 March 2021.
  13. ^ Wiseman, Andreas (November 6, 2018). "Sony Pictures Worldwide Acquisitions Strikes Multi-Territory Deal For Anna Kendrick Sci-Fi 'Stowaway' From XYZ & CAA — AFM". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved April 22, 2021.
  14. ^ Wiseman, Andreas (December 1, 2020). "Netflix Takes Most Of The World On Joe Penna Sci-Fi 'Stowaway' With Anna Kendrick, Toni Collette, Daniel Dae Kim & Shamier Anderson". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved December 1, 2020.
  15. ^ "Stowaway (2021)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved April 23, 2021.
  16. ^ "Stowaway Reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved April 23, 2021.

See also

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=Stowaway_(2021_film)&oldid=1019856085"