Sputnik Movie, A Russian Alien Horror

“Sputnik” is a Russian sci-fi movie released in 2020. If you are fond of horror films that combine the suspense of “Life” (2017) with the imaginative essence found in the Alien franchise, then Sputnik is destined to be your new favorite movie. Set in 1983, the storyline unfolds aboard Orbit-4 where three Cosmonauts find their space flight disrupted by a strange sight beyond their craft.

Once the space shuttle has been recovered, the incident results in one casualty, one individual in a comatose state, and one survivor. Valery Basov (Pyotr Fyodorov), the survivor, has no recollection of the accident and is currently being closely monitored at a secure Russian government facility. Tatyana is introduced as a skilled neuropsychiatrist.

However, her future within the profession seems uncertain as an upcoming review board meeting may lead to her dismissal. Enter Semiradov, a figure decked out in uniform, who convinces Tatyana that her abilities would be better utilized under his guidance. In a mutually beneficial arrangement, he assures her that assisting him with his research endeavors will not only alleviate her current predicament with the board but also unlock her full potential.

Sputnik Movie Review 2020

Among a few individuals, there seems to be a perception that Sputnik excessively embraced the Hollywood narrative. I must confess that, at one point, I was concerned about a sentimental ending. I found myself pondering the possibilities of the Alien franchise. If Ripley’s cat had been portrayed as a human instead of a furry companion, what would have happened? However, there is no clichéd romantic affair. Nevertheless, Tatyana and Valery undeniably form a strong emotional connection and become entangled in their feelings.

Furthermore, there is certainly something to be acknowledged about a film like Sputnik, which was produced in Moscow within a fully functional Institute for Biochemistry. To begin Sputnik was filmed during the winter of 2018 and 2019 and the attention to detail, stemming from its unique setting, greatly enhanced the overall atmosphere. This, in turn, contributed to the film’s sense of realism. The visual effects were effective, and the performances blended with the post-production CGI imagery well. It is important to note that the conception of this film originated from a short film called “Passenger,” which you can watch after this article.

Sputnik is Based On A Short Film Called “Passenger”

More significantly, Sputnik excels in delivering a riveting pace. Additionally, it presents well-developed character arcs and tension. Science fiction aficionados are well-versed in the concept of parasitic aliens and lifeforms infiltrating various hosts. However, Sputnik offers an intriguing variation of these familiar elements through meticulous attention to detail, impressive special effects, and commendable performances. While it may not leave you thinking Sputnik was filled with groundbreaking originality or astounding plot twists, the overall quality of the title surpasses such concerns.

SPUTNIK MOVIE 2020 WATCH ONLINE

I give Sputnik

4 no comic relief in these four walls out of 5

“The name itself reflects the Space theme and also it has a metaphor inside. Someone who accompanies you, your Doppelganger, your inner-self. That’s the real meaning of the word “sputnik” in Russian – companion.” 

Director Ego Abramenko

• Director: Egor Abramenko (THE PASSENGER.)
• Writers: Oleg Malovichko, Andrei Zolotarev.
• Cast: Oksana Akinshina (LILYA 4-EVER), Fedor Bondarchuk (9TH COMPANY), Pyotr Fyodorov (THE DARKEST HOUR.)
• Runtime: 114 Minutes.
• Festival: Tribeca Film Festival 2020.
• Distributor: IFC Midnight.
• Production: Art Pictures Studio

SPUTNIK IS AVAILABLE IN SELECT THEATERS, DIGITAL & CABLE VOD ON AUGUST 14

The following short film is in Russian. Just go into settings, select auto-translate, and choose your language. You can watch The Passenger with subtitles on YouTube with a free trial of IFCFilms.

Watch “Passenger Short Film”