Review of SSI Apocalypse in Space – Le Journal de

Review of “SSI”: Apocalypse in Space – Le Journal de Montréal

Tension SSI Set on board the International Space Station, the film starring Ariana DeBose is effective despite many inconsistencies.

Forget every aspect of credibility before embarking on this journey that will take you aboard the ISS, the International Space Station, into an orbit just over 400 km from Earth.

A team of six astronauts works there in the most relaxed atmosphere possible. The three Americans Gordon (Chris Messina), Kira (Ariana DeBose) and Christian (John Gallagher Jr.) and the three Russians Weronika (Masha Mashkova), Alexey (Pilou Asbaek) and Nichola (Costa Ronin) carry out various scientific experiments.

Until one day Kira sees explosions on the ground. And the astronauts quickly conclude – correctly – that nuclear war is devastating the Earth. The leaders of both teams receive encrypted messages. Both the Americans and the Russians are called upon to take control of the ISS by any means necessary.

We suspect that this closed space session, set against the backdrop of a nuclear apocalypse (which brings great unease to shots of the blue planet turning red), risks ending badly as each trio aims to eliminate the other. And that doesn't include the secret romance between Gordon and Weronika.

Directed by Gabriela Cowperthwaite (Megan Leavey with Kate Mara as a soldier who wants to adopt the dog she worked with in Iraq) from a screenplay by Nick Shafir, SSI is original enough to arouse interest and the network's attitudes create an absolutely terrifying feeling. An environment full of paranoia and various dangers, including lack of oxygen or the sudden loss of communication.

We regret, on the other hand, that the characters are not more developed (SSI would have made an entertaining miniseries), that there is a lack of finesse or explanation in certain situations (Kira's dead mice), but that in no way prevents the viewer from following with interest the unfolding of events. And the weightless balls of alcohol or blood, just like sleeping while standing up or chasing each other while floating through the corridors, are all elements unusual enough to entertain… as long as you don't miss the realism of Gordon's Spacewalk or get stuck on the other Lack of the effects of weightlessness on the characters' hair!

SSI will be placed in orbit in theaters starting January 19th.

Rating: 3 out of 5