Life (2017): A Deep Dive into the Sci-Fi Horror That Will Make You Question Space Exploration
Ever wondered what if we found life on Mars? The movie "Life" (2017) dives headfirst into this question. It offers a thrilling ride. We'll dissect this sci-fi horror, looking at its plot, creature design, and critical reception. If you're considering watching it or have questions, you're in the right spot.
The Genesis of Terror: Plot Overview
"Life" centers on a space probe. This probe comes from Mars, carrying soil samples. These samples might hold the secret to extraterrestrial life. The crew aboard the International Space Station (ISS) feels excitement as they intercept the Pilgrim 7 probe. They have no clue that this discovery will turn into their worst nightmare.
Within those samples lies something extraordinary. This something is called "Calvin," an alien lifeform. At first, it is a single-celled organism. Don't let its initial appearance deceive you. Calvin will redefine 'out of this world' in a horrifying way. This is far from your friendly E.T.
As the narrative progresses, Calvin evolves rapidly. Initially, it looks like a jellyfish. Imagine a multi-headed planarian but alien. But Calvin won't stay small and cute. It begins to grow quickly, absorbing nutrients and feeding directly off the crew.
The intriguing specimen morphs into a monstrous entity. This transformation marks Calvin's increasing threat level. What began as scientific curiosity turns into a fight for survival. The film masterfully blends the wonder of discovery with primal fear, creating an intense cinematic experience.
The filmmakers drew inspiration from a real-world organism for Calvin's design. The slime mold, Dictyostelium, served as a biological blueprint. This adaptable Earth-dwelling organism provides a grounded basis for a terrifying alien creature. Sometimes, the most unsettling horrors stem from reality.
Is "Life" Worth Living... Watching? Movie Evaluation
So, is "Life" worth your viewing time? The answer is yes, especially for fans of intense thrillers with a sci-fi twist. The movie delivers a gripping experience, thanks to its stellar cast. Heavy hitters like Jake Gyllenhaal and Ryan Reynolds grab attention, and they don’t disappoint.
These actors inject realism and desperation into their roles. You feel their fear and struggle against the hostile alien presence. The performances elevate the material, making the life-or-death stakes very real.
However, "Life" faces criticism. Some point out its derivative nature, noting similarities to classics like "Alien." While "Life" treads familiar ground at times, it does so with modern sensibility and a focus on tension. Innovation may be lacking, but the execution is proficient.
Despite any perceived lack of originality, "Life" excels in building tension. The film keeps you on the edge of your seat from the moment Calvin escapes containment. Tight direction ensures pacing doesn’t flag and scares keep coming.
A certain "B-movie spirit" exists in "Life" that adds to its charm. It embraces genre roots, delivering scary moments and gruesome effects along with a high body count. It's a movie that knows what it is and executes it with flair. For a fun yet terrifying experience, "Life" delivers.
Parents should note that the "fun" comes with scares and violence. "Life" earns its sci-fi/horror label honestly. It’s not for the fainthearted or younger viewers. The film depicts gruesome realities of being hunted by an alien predator in a satellite's confined space.
Expect intense sequences that may cause you to jump. Violence is present and often not subtle. Characters meet grisly ends, including one death where a character is torn apart from the inside out, accompanied by "globs of floating blood." Another character drowns in fluid inside their suit. Proceed with caution if you're squeamish!
Box Office Lifeline: Financial Performance
Financially, "Life" performed reasonably well. Against a production budget of $58 million, it grossed $100.5 million worldwide. Box office numbers break down with $30.2 million in the U.S. and Canada. Internationally, it earned $70.3 million in other territories. While not a blockbuster, it found its audience and turned a respectable profit.
Lights, Camera, Location! Production Details
Ever wondered where the claustrophobic ISS interiors in "Life" were filmed? Much took place at Shepperton Studios in Surrey, England. This studio has a long history in filmmaking, providing facilities for bringing the space station to life.
However, "Life" wasn’t confined to studio sets. For more exotic shots, production went to Ha Long Bay in Vietnam. This stunning locale likely provided visually striking locations for exterior shots, perhaps depicting Earth seen from space. Ha Long Bay's serene beauty starkly contrasts with the film's horrors.
Interestingly, New York City is also listed as a filming location. While not clear how it fits into a space-based thriller, some establishing shots or scenes of ground control reactions were likely filmed in the Big Apple. Principal photography began on July 19, 2016, marking the start of this terrifying tale's screen adventure.
Character Demise: No One is Safe
Let's discuss character fates because survival in "Life" is not guaranteed. Spoiler alert: if you haven't seen the movie and want surprises, skip this section for now. But if you're curious about who dies and how, keep reading.
Rory Adams, played by Ryan Reynolds, meets a gruesome fate. He becomes one of Calvin's victims, absorbed from the inside out. This horrific death showcases Calvin's predatory nature brutally.
Ekaterina Golovkina, portrayed by Olga Dihovichnaya, meets her end in space's vacuum. She drowns within her suit while being strangled by Calvin. It’s a terrifying way to go, highlighting the crew's vulnerability even in protective gear.
Dr. Hugh Derry, played by Ariyon Bakare, suffers a slow death. Calvin attaches to his leg and bleeds him dry. This demise underscores Calvin's parasitic feeding habits and relentless pursuit of sustenance.
After numerous attempts to contain or eliminate Calvin, the crew dwindles rapidly. By the film's climax, only two survivors remain: Dr. David Jordan, played by Jake Gyllenhaal, and Captain Miranda North, portrayed by Rebecca Ferguson. Their struggle turns into a race to stop Calvin from reaching Earth.
In a cruel twist, their escape pods become instruments of comedy at the worst moment. Miranda thinks she sends Calvin's pod into deep space, sacrificing herself for Earth. However, the pods switch. Miranda screams into oblivion as she spirals away in despair, leaving her character bleakly hopeless.
Meanwhile, David thinks he is heading
Calvin is safely contained in a pod but crashes back on Earth. He is found in the ocean by fishermen, trapped in his now enormous tentacles. His fate is sealed. Earth's nightmare is just beginning.
The Bleak Finale: Ending Explained
The conclusion of "Life" is dark and nihilistic. It contrasts sharply with triumphant endings common in sci-fi films. Instead, it delivers despair and a chilling sense of doom.
Miranda's fate is sealed in space's cold vacuum. Her sacrifice was aimed at saving humanity but is tragically misdirected. We see her terrified scream as her pod spirals into the abyss. This haunting image symbolizes hopelessness.
David's end is grim, impacting Earth directly. He pleads with approaching fishermen to avoid opening his pod. He knows what lies ahead for them and humanity. But his cries go unheard. The final scene shows the pod door pried open as more boats approach. Calvin has reached Earth, and humanity is unprepared.
Calvin, the chaos instigator, is unleashed into the world with David. He is not destroyed or contained. The film ends without resolution. The real horror is just beginning. It's an ending that sticks with viewers, prompting uneasy questions about our existence and the dangers of seeking extraterrestrial life.
Calvin: Anatomy of an Alien Nightmare
Now, let’s look closer at Calvin, the creature in "Life." This alien lifeform is the source of terror. Calvin's name is simple, almost innocent, yet masks its lethal nature.
Calvin first appears as a translucent, whitish organism. It looks like a jellyfish or a multi-headed planarian. This small form seems fragile, tricking the crew into a false sense of security. They treat it as a curiosity, unaware of its potential.
Calvin's growth is both rapid and terrifying. As it consumes nutrients from Martian soil and later the crew, it grows in size and complexity. Its appearance becomes grotesque, losing any harmless traits. It morphs into a nightmarish predator, filled with hunger.
The filmmakers based Calvin on the slime mold Dictyostelium. Slime molds are simple organisms with remarkable adaptability. They can move, solve mazes, and make decisions without a nervous system. This scientific basis makes Calvin’s evolution chillingly plausible.
Calvin’s behavior is purely predatory. Driven by hunger, it has an instinct to survive and reproduce. Its first attack is on Dr. Hugh Derry. Calvin, small and unnoticed, attaches to Hugh's leg, which lacks sensation. It starts feeding on him, unnoticed at first, marking the beginning of its deadly spree.
Calvin's attack on Rory Adams shows its predatory tactics. Calvin enters Rory's mouth and consumes his internal organs from the inside out. This horrifying violation reflects Calvin's invasive nature. These attacks illustrate not just sustenance but also dominance and terrifying efficiency.
Themes of "Life": More Than Just Horror
While "Life" is a sci-fi horror film, it explores deeper thematic elements. Six key themes resonate in the film: Love, Personal Value, Power, Freedom, Truth, and Justice. These themes add layers beyond mere scares.
Love takes many forms within the crew’s bonds and their mission at first. Personal Value emerges in characters' choices amid danger. Power dynamics shift as Calvin's threat rises, confronting the crew's limitations.
Freedom becomes a desperate pursuit as the crew feels trapped within the ISS. Truth is questioned when they grapple with an alien lifeform that defies expectations. Justice, or its absence, is evident in survival's cruel nature against Calvin's relentless predation.
These subtle themes enhance the viewing experience. They grant "Life" resonance beyond jump scares and creature effects. This invites viewers to contemplate humanity's survival and our role in a hostile universe.
Navigating the "Life" Multiverse: Other Movies by the Same Name
Interestingly, "Life" (2017) isn't the only film with that title. Two other notable films share the name, each differing in genre and era. Distinguishing between them is key to avoiding confusion.
One "Life," released in 1999, features Eddie Murphy and Martin Lawrence. This "Life" is a buddy comedy-drama set in Prohibition-era Mississippi. Ray and Claude, wrongly convicted of murder, receive life sentences. It contrasts sharply with the 2017 sci-fi horror.
The 1999 “Life” was filmed in Sacramento, California. Ray is a loudmouth Harlem grifter, while Claude is no-nonsense. Their bootlegging mission goes awry, leading to wrongful imprisonment. Despite dramatic elements, it is primarily a comedy with heartwarming moments from Murphy and Lawrence.
This film succeeded at the box office, grossing $63 million domestically. It highlights Murphy and Lawrence’s comedic chemistry, blending humor with depth. It's about friendship and perseverance against adversity—a stark contrast to the bleakness found in 2017 "Life."
Another film titled "Life" came out in 2015. This version focuses on the friendship between photographer Dennis Stock and actor James Dean. Robert Pattinson plays Stock while Dane DeHaan portrays Dean. This "Life" is character-driven, exploring fame and artistry's complexities.
The 2015 "Life" was filmed in Toronto and Los Angeles. It delves into Stock photographing Dean for Life magazine. This introspective film differs significantly from both the 1999 comedy-drama and the 2017 horror film. Context is crucial when discussing "Life" to avoid mixing up these different films.
Cast Connections: Murphy and Lawrence - From Screen to Family
In talking about the 1999 "Life," Murphy and Lawrence's chemistry shines through. Their genuine off-screen friendship enriches their performances. They share a long history of collaboration and a strong personal bond.
Their relationship grew closer when their children became engaged. Eric Murphy and Jasmin Lawrence are now in-laws. This connection deepens their bond beyond professional collaborations and shows how Hollywood friendships can blossom into family ties.
Moral Compass of "Life" (1999): Faith and Hope in Hard Times
While the 2017 "Life" presents a bleak outlook, the 1999 "Life" offers an uplifting message. Important takeaways include faith and hope amid adversity. Ray and Claude face wrongful imprisonment, yet they maintain spirits through friendship.
The film illustrates that life is worth fighting for even in hardships. It showcases the resilience of the human spirit.
Hope helps individuals during tough times. The 1999 "Life" serves as a reminder. Even in dark moments, faith and friendship shine as a guiding light.
Plot Timeline of "Life" (1999): The 20th Century
"Life" (1999) unfolds over many years, starting in 1932. It begins during Prohibition and extends to the mid-1990s. This timeline shows characters' journeys through decades in prison and the growth of their friendship.
The story starts with Ray and Claude in 1932. They enter prison wrongfully convicted. The narrative follows them through time, showing their struggles and camaraderie. Their hope for freedom stays strong. The film's timeline touches on many events of the 20th century, framing their lives amid societal changes. It's a tale of friendship tested by time.
"Life" (2015): Focus on Friendship
Filmed in Toronto and Los Angeles, "Life" (2015) offers a window into 1950s Hollywood and celebrity culture. It is a character-driven drama. It reveals the human side of notable figures. Behind the fame and the image lie real people with complex emotions. This "Life," unlike its namesake films, views the human experience through a different lens than the sci-fi horror of "Life" (2017).
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