Starring Ariana DeBose, I.S.S. takes us through an intense and claustrophobic tale of astronauts fighting to survive in space. Director Gabriela Cowperthwaite makes sure that each moment within the 95-minute-long film leaves us equally as uncomfortable and intrigued as its diverse characters.
I.S.S. revolves around Dr. Kira Foster and a bunch of other astronauts from the US and Russia. The International Space Station was built as a way for the two countries to unite and work on research in isolated yet mesmerizing conditions. Although the Space Station originally marked the positive relations between the two countries, things take a turn for the worse when war breaks out on Earth.
Having received signals to take control of the I.S.S. by any means possible, both the US and Russian astronauts end up fighting each other on the congested space station. Besides Ariana DeBose in the role of Dr. Kira Foster, the cast of I.S.S. consists of Chris Messina in the role of Gordon, John Gallagher Jr. plays Christian, Masha Mashkova plays Weronika, Costa Ronin plays Nicholai and Pilou Asbæk plays Alexey.
I.S.S. 2024: What Happens In The Film?
Dr. Kira Foster, a promising American scientist arrives at the I.S.S. for the first time and is delighted to see her new co-workers who she’ll be staying with in space for quite a while. Soon enough, Kira’s already introduced herself to most of the astronauts on board. Foster sets up her mice and research equipment beside Alexey.
Foster now has to stay with two other American scientists, Gordon and Christian, along with three Russian scientists, Weronika, Nicholai, and Alexey. All of the astronauts seem to be getting along well together, despite being from two completely different countries and not being able to speak each other’s languages.
The I.S.S. astronauts sit together and have dinner while singing their favorite songs. Kira is surprised to see everyone getting along so well, especially when each of their countries were politically against each other. The Russian astronauts, Weronika, and the others reveal that they don’t let politics interfere in their research here on I.S.S.
Things go well until Kira notices explosions in the US through space. The crew freaks out and tries to contact the ground stations, but no one can get any communication through. Gordon eventually gets a classified message that reveals that the US and Russia are at war on Earth.
The US astronauts are told to abandon their orders and experiments and work on the new mission: To take complete control of the ISS. Gordon then decides to fix communications by checking the antenna outside the ISS. Kira guides him through voice while talking about her experience in this industry so far.
Their communication comes to a halt after Alexey cuts off the wires secretly. Meanwhile, Nicholai spots Gordon on the Station and turns the ISS around, causing Gordon to be knocked off. Weronika and Kira try to get the communications back again, but they aren’t able to see Gordon on top anymore.
Veronica finds out about the war and that her teammates are responsible for the chaos from earlier. Christian advises Kira to not trust the Russians now that they’ve already targeted Gordon. Weronika comes to Kira and wants to trade their keys, letting her get access to Alexey’s research, which she believes can cure radiation sickness.
This was important research at a time when both of the countries were being bombed, so Weronika tried to keep the information safe and away from any country. She threatens everyone by trying to open a pure oxygen tank, which would immediately cause the whole station to explode.
Before she can do anything, Christian ends up hitting her and killing her instantly. This causes Nicholai to become furious and try to kill other US astronauts.
Ending Explained
Alexey finds out that Gordon is still alive, and brings him back to the Station. Kira and Christian hide in a small room so they can escape Nicholai. Gordon ends up confronting Nicholai and both of the scientists end up dying.
The only ones left are Kira, Christian, and Alexey. Christian cuts off the station’s life support and tries to get Alexey on his side after claiming he knew that Kira was going to leave them all alone on the station. Alexey knows Christian’s real personality and decides to side with Kira.
Both Kira and Alexey then attack Christian after he tries to stab them with a knife. After the Russian and US communications are restored, Kira and Alexey use the Soyuz craft to come back to Earth.
Cowperthwaite beautifully captures the terror and hopelessness that come with being lost somewhere endless like space. Both of the countries tried to use their respective scientists to gain power over each other, but as Weronika said, scientists aren’t dogs.
With the hope of a better future, Alexey and Kira set off to earth, holding valuable information that could be extremely useful in case of a nuclear bombing.
The movie perfectly portrays the tensions of a worldwide conflict which ends up impacting the astronauts as well. Despite its lesser-than-expected box office collections, I.S.S. is a movie filled with intrigue that leaves you pondering for hours.
