Thrillers very rarely end well. Putting several scared, desperate people in a survival situation is all risk, no reward. I.S.S. starts from the brilliant elevator pitch of pitting astronauts and cosmonauts against each other in humanity's most impressive space station. Tensions rise when World War III breaks out on Earth, leading viewers to imagine few optimistic outcomes for the well-meaning scientists aboard the titular cross-cultural achievement.

High-concept is a term that sounds like it means the opposite of its definition. It seems to imply something complicated or cerebral, but it refers to stories that can be effectively summed up in a sentence or two. Classics like Jaws, Jurassic Park, and The Matrix fleshed out high concepts to glorious effect. I.S.S. is a stellar example of high-concept science fiction that could, hopefully, kickstart a wave of similar outings coming back to the big screen.

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I.S.S. Review

This space thriller sees a near-apocalyptic conflict on Earth set astronauts at each other's throats.

What is I.S.S. about?

As the film's weighty opening text conveys, the International Space Station is a triumphant achievement of collaboration. After the Space Race, the US and USSR set aside their differences to create a shared spacecraft for universal scientific development. I.S.S. opens with dedicated biologist and fresh-faced young astronaut Dr. Kira Foster entering the station and meeting her new co-workers. Her two American colleagues, Christian and Gordon, work alongside three Russian cosmonauts, Weronika, Nicholai, and his brother Alexey. She arranges her lab, preparing mice for orbital experimentation, and discovers the social system aboard the ship. The Russians and Americans get along well, though cultural differences and the language barrier cause occasional awkwardness. Gordon even maintains a semi-secret romantic connection with Weronika. Everyone settles in for months in a tight space with their new siblings of circumstance until Kira glances out the window and watches the first of several cataclysmic explosions consuming Earth's surface.

Though they can only watch from orbit with dawning horror, the I.S.S. crew discovers a nuclear war tearing their homes apart. Their communications are struggling, but one message gets through. Christian receives orders to take the I.S.S. by any means necessary. Their confusion gives way to fear as they realize that their Russian cohorts would likely receive a similar request. Christian wants to take action, but Kira and Gordon focus on the work left to do. The conflict reaches a fever pitch as new details emerge. The station is orbiting too low and in dire need of a resupply. If they don't receive aid within 24 hours, they'll begin free-falling toward the surface. On top of that, Alexey's research could be instrumental to the wartorn world below. The astronauts and cosmonauts must struggle for survival and decide the fate of a conflict they can only see from space.

How does I.S.S. end?

After the Americans get their mission, Gordon dons an EVA suit to attempt to fix an antenna. He and Kira exchange stories while he crawls across the station's handholds, but his communications halt suddenly. Elsewhere, Alexey clips a wire and replaces it with a dummy to hide his sabotage. Meanwhile, Nicholai pilots the station's arm, using it to knock Gordon off, seemingly sending him to his death. Weronika becomes enraged and disgusted with her cohorts for killing an innocent man. While Christian tries to ally with Kira, Weronika demands an audience. She asks to trade her key for Kira's, allowing them to open locks guarding each other's research. Nika explains that Alexey's research could cure radiation sickness, and if either government seizes the I.S.S., that world power will control who lives and who dies in the nuclear war. Nika insists Kira steal the research, board a Soyuz spacecraft, and fly to Earth, leaving them to wait for the potential aid. Nika threatens to blow up the station as a distraction, but Christian cracks her skull from behind. With Nika dead, Nicholai draws a screwdriver to hunt down the Americans.

Alexey refuses to help his brother kill their coworkers. While Kira and Christian hide in a storage room, Alexey realizes Gordon is still alive, hanging on for dear life. He uses the arm to guide him back into the station, then helps Kira escape his brother. Gordon arrives, forces Nicholai into an empty room, and the two men kill each other simultaneously. Christian quietly sabotages the station's life support system. He reveals that he knew Kira's plan to take Alexey's research and abandon them. In a tense exchange, Kira uses a bit of the Russian Nika taught her to establish a bond with Alexey. Christian tries to sway him by promising he could restore life support. Alexey reveals that he can, too. Both Alexey and Kira attack, suffocating Christian to death with a souvenir, a gift from Gordon. Alexey suffers a stab wound in the conflict. They restore life support, and the communications system spontaneously reactivates. Help is approaching, but Alexey and Kira don't know who is coming. They board the Soyuz with Alexey's research. Radio chatter from Houston and Moscow floods their headphones. Alexey turns off the radio, allowing the Soyuz and its critical contents to fall where it may.

I.S.S. delivers a decent execution of a gripping premise. The tense, quiet conflict keeps the audience on edge through the tight runtime. This film won't change the world, but it's a wonderful ride. Take a trip to the I.S.S. as it hits theaters on January 19, 2024.

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