Common Sense Media Review
By Tara McNamara
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Space thriller fires, then combusts; language, violence.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
I.S.S.
What's the Story?
When researcher Dr. Kira Foster (Ariana DeBose) arrives at the International Space Station, she's welcomed with open arms by a chummy group of Russian and American crew members. But when war breaks out on Earth between Russia and the United States, both sides receive orders to take control of the I.S.S. ... by any means necessary.
Is It Any Good?
Wondrous cinematography and a fantastic premise can't save this non-thrilling thriller. The intriguing concept—what would happen to the astronauts on the International Space Station if war broke out on Earth?—seems poised to keep viewers engaged, but director Gabriela Cowperthwaite skims through the suspense of the crisis, failing to build the required tension.
While screenwriter Nick Shafir presents thought-provoking questions, don't expect answers. Most bothersome is that his I.S.S. scientists are too smart to make decisions this dumb. Poor, life-threatening choices work in a teen slasher film, less so when characters are former military officers, elite biologists, scientific researchers, and engineers who have likely been trained for the situations they're encountering. Cowperthwaite does satisfy the question of what a fight would look like in zero gravity (hint: a space chase resembles slow swimming). With a tight 95-minute running time, at least it rockets to the end.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Dr. Kira Foster demonstrates integrity in I.S.S. Do you consider her a role model? Why is diverse representation in the media important?
I.S.S. used the accounts of former space station astronauts to inform its depiction of life on the International Space Station. What did you already know, and what did you learn? Do you think you could live in zero gravity?
What are your favorite movies or TV shows about life in space? Why do you think the setting is such fertile ground for storytelling?
What makes the International Space Station a successful endeavor in international relationships? How can getting to know someone from a different culture help break down geopolitical barriers?
Movie Details
- In theaters : January 19, 2024
- On DVD or streaming : February 6, 2024
- Cast : Ariana DeBose , Chris Messina , John Gallagher Jr.
- Director : Gabriela Cowperthwaite
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s) , Queer Movie Actor(s) , Black Movie Actor(s) , Latino Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Bleecker Street
- Genre : Thriller
- Run time : 95 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : some violence and language
- Last updated : November 4, 2024
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