Low-Budget Sci-Fi Horror Film With 'Alien' & 'Dead Space' Vibes Heads to Shudder This June
Flying Lotus' Ash is finally almost on Shudder. However, this space horror movie with references to The Thing and Alien, won't appeal to everyone. Here's who should definitely check it out.
On June 20, Shudder will finally release Ash, the feature-length directorial debut of musician Steven Ellison, also known as Flying Lotus.
Inspired by projects ranging from Alien to the Resident Evil and Dead Space video games, Ash turned out to be close to the spirit of classic sci-fi movies from the late 20th century. However, it may alienate a significant portion of viewers for another reason. Let's figure out who should pay attention to Ash.
What Is 'Ash' About?
On the distant planet Ash, astronaut Riya (Eiza González) wakes up alone in her space station cabin. Memories return to her in the form of bloody images. In the corridors, she discovers the mutilated bodies of her crew members.
Adding to her paranoia are hallucinations and the sudden appearance of a man (Aaron Paul) who claims to have come from orbit to help. He pushes her to stop looking for answers and get away from the planet.
'Ash' Is Movie for Those Who Seek an Immersive Emotional Experience
The main advantage and problem with Ash is that it's a film you don't need to delve into – you just need to feel it. Therefore, those who focus on emotions rather than a coherent plot may find unique pleasure in Ash.
The movie does not pretend to be a smart sci-fi – it occupies the domain of B-movies. It's a perfect midnight trip for fans of Panos Cosmatos, Brandon Cronenberg, and John Carpenter's The Thing.
Lotus' film takes on a psychedelic style with González's visions and abstract landscapes of the planet, as well as cheap special effects from the 1980s.
'Ash' Is a Rare Representative of Space Sci-Fi Horror
Despite its lack of coherence, Ash holds the viewer's attention. The movie's mesmerizing visuals, unexpected genre mixes, and dedication of the team are key. Ash was shot in an abandoned door factory, and miniatures were used for the spaceship shots.
According to people who attended early screenings, the film was made for only $500,000, though this has not been officially confirmed.
Add to this the dearth of worthy movies in the space horror genre, and Ash becomes a must-see for fans of sci-fi horror.
What Did Critics & Viewers Think of 'Ash'?
Variety critic Peter Debruge said:
“People tend to overuse the term "mind-blowing" when hyping sci-fi movies, but in the case of Flying Lotus' visually audacious "Ash," the word feels apt.”
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Ash has 72% from critics and 55% from viewers on Rotten Tomatoes.
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On IMDb, the movie has a score of 4.6/10.
