Maybe SOMEONE in outer space... can hear you scream

August 27, 2024789 words

The Sunshine Man

With the global success of Alien: Romulus and its incredible return to the foundations, which Ridley Scott laid 45 years ago with the ultimate spatial horror film by a landslide, it is necessary to ask ourselves: Can someone hear us scream in space? The goal of this article is to explore two films that recently caught my eye again which, at the time, didn't. These movies present two different perspectives of the meaning of being alone in the universe, from the complex nature of human relationships in hostile environments as the main focus of horror to the contrasting beauty of floating in space. These two sci-fi movies, one acclaimed and the other underrated, could be set in the same universe since their stories don't surpass reality.

Most importantly, what I want to highlight from the title of this article is the metaphor it conveys. We all know no one can hear desperate screams from outer space, but if you are in the middle of the Sahara Desert, no one can hear you either. That hope of WANTING someone to hear us is our most primitive sense as humans: we are not meant to be alone. We need each other, even after experiencing mistrust. Many times, science fiction presents whimsical or exaggerated themes to show a simple reflection of our behavior and nature. I could summarize Blade Runner by asking, “What makes us human?” or 2001: A Space Odyssey by asking, “What is our limit as a species?” but that would be too boring. In contrast, I believe that the best filmmakers of this genre are those who understand the daily and main problems we face as a species.

These two movies represent the above masterfully:

Hope in SUNSHINE (Danny Boyle, 2007)

Written by Alex Garland and set just before the events of Ridley Scott's Prometheus, Boyle's venture into the most “epic” science fiction (having previously directed 28 Days Later... years earlier) is not only a profound exploration of willpower in the most adverse times but also a metaphor of the human being as the most dangerous “monster” of all. In this film, set in a near future which mixes elements of space opera and existential horror, we follow a crew of eight aboard of the spaceship Icarus II, who are willing to risk everything on an (almost) suicidal mission: launching a bomb to reignite the Sun, which is dying and causing life on Earth to become moribund as well.

The movie has some flaws in the script like certain character's dialogues and decisions, but it nevertheless shines due to three reasons. Firstly, the detailed mise-en-scène which mixes a modern aesthetic with B movie elements. Secondly, the heart of the story, which is basically one of survival and moral dilemmas. Thirdly, the dynamic between the astronauts, who constantly debate how to proceed when they encounter the forgotten Icarus I and a sign of life which could change everything near the Sun. On this occasion, if you shout in space, you might get an answer.

This movie is available in DISNEY PLUS

Instinct in GRAVITY (Alfonso Cuarón, 2013)

The most mainstream movie of the Mexican director, which won seven Oscar Awards (a lot, right?) including Best Director in this historic threefold win for the country (since later Iñárritu won for Birdman and Del Toro won for The Shape of Water) is an immersive experience like few others. With extensive sequences, we witness a story of an astronaut called Ryan Stone (Sandra Bullock) who, together with the experienced Matt Kowalski (George Clooney), work to maintain a spaceship and have to face a rain of space debris which are destroying it. The plot is really simple and Cuarón adds dramatic layers all the time (which bothered me at the time), but it is quite understandable: if he hadn't done so, the movie would have been extremely simple.

What would be your first thought if you suddenly found yourself floating in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by stars and a seemingly everlasting darkness? This was what first came to mind after watching this both minimalist and maximalist film on the big screen in 2013. I don't think it was meant to be watched on the couch or through a cell phone as most movies. This one definitely ranks among the top movies I will never forget watching in the cinema.