‘Slingshot’ Review: Trapped in Space
- The film is a psychological thriller directed by Mikael Hafstrom, featuring actors Laurence Fishburne and Casey Affleck.
- Set in space, the story follows astronaut John and his crew as they attempt to slingshot to Titan, Saturn's largest moon, while dealing with the effects of hibernation sleep.
- The film struggles with pacing and narrative structure, ultimately leading to a lackluster execution despite the actors' efforts.
Directed by Mikael Hafstrom, this psychological thriller unfolds in the confines of a spaceship as astronaut John, played by Casey Affleck, and his crew embark on a mission to Titan, Saturn's largest moon. Their goal is to slingshot around the moon to harvest methane as a potential energy source. However, the long journey and repeated hibernation sleep begin to take a toll on their mental states, leading to a gradual unraveling of their grip on reality. John starts experiencing hallucinations of his lover, complicating his interactions with his crewmate Nash and Captain Franks, portrayed by Laurence Fishburne. The film attempts to explore themes of paranoia and isolation, but it struggles with pacing and a clumsy narrative structure. Critics have noted that the film feels like a low-budget cable sci-fi drama, with awkward dialogue and poorly executed romantic flashbacks. Despite the actors' commendable performances, the film's climax fails to deliver a satisfying resolution. The final act does build some tension between the characters, but it ultimately leaves viewers feeling as trapped as the characters themselves within their spacecraft. Overall, the film's ambition to blend psychological thriller elements with a space setting does not fully materialize, resulting in a lack of coherence and engagement.