Oftentimes, the science fiction genre knows no bounds, allowing for its fictional narrative to be set in the wildest places, but somesci-fi films and TV showshave opted for a more comprehensible setting — the moon. There are a few different benefits to having a sci-fi story take place on the moon. First, the genre can sometimes be alienating to audiences who are unable to buy into theunrealistic and inaccurate aspects of sci-fi. The moon setting (somewhat) grounds the film in reality, making it easier for skeptical audiences to give in to the story.
On the other hand, while the moon is such a familiar part of space, there are still many lingering questions and conspiracies about its makeup. Therefore, filmmakers can put a creative twist on the moon’s unknown features. Such a method of storytelling is seen inMoonfallandApollo 18, which use conspiracy theories and famously canceled moon landings to drive their sci-fi narratives forward. Regardless of how the moon is used in these sci-fi films, the natural satellite has proven to be an effective setting in the genre.
Iron Sky
Cast
Iron Sky is a Finnish Science-Fiction Comedy film written by Johanna Sinisalo and directed by Timo Vuorensola. The 2012 release revolves around a group of defeated Nazis that flee to the moon only to regroup and attempt to take over the world once again in 2018.
As one of the most expensive Finnish films ever made,Iron Skyis a puzzling, but entertaining watch.The film centers on a group of Nazis who travel to the moon after being defeated and plan to make a big return to Earth in the year 2018. What’s most frustrating aboutIron Skyis the lack of effective jokes. Most of the humor in the film falls flat, and considering the film is intended to be a sci-fi comedy, the poor comedic execution can be disappointing. Still,Iron Skycan be enjoyed for its bizarre concept and wild adventures.
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Iron Skynever takes itself too seriously but doesn’t lean heavily into a campy tone that can sometimes turn audiences away. Additionally,a common praise that appears in nearly every review of the film has to do with its visual elements. The special effects and CGI inIron Skyare some of the best in the genre. Though other parts ofIron Skydidn’t earn praise from critics, successful crowdfunding efforts led to the release of a sequel film.
Apollo 18
Apollo 18 is a sci-fi horror film that takes place in a revisionist history where the Apollo 18 mission was never canceled and instead made it to the moon, but the crew never returned. The movie shows the found footage of the mission as it retells the story of the secret mission headed to the moon to install a defensive payload for the U.S., but they soon discover they’re not alone.
Exploring an alternate version of history,Apollo 18is a found-footage sci-fi horror story that plays out what could have happened had the titular mission been carried out. InApollo 18, a small astronaut crew travels to the moon in 1974 and encounters an extraterrestrial creature that halts their journey back home. The inspiration forApollo 18, as explained by screenwriter Brian Miller, came from the endless questions he and many others had about why astronauts were never sent back to the moon (viaSYFY). Thorough research was done to ensure a scientifically accurate film, which wasn’t entirely helpful.
Apollo 18is categorized under the horror genre, but it’s best enjoyed when audiences understand it’s more of a thriller.
Apollo 18didn’t do well with critics or average moviegoers, but managed to make $26 million at the box office against a $5 million budgetand is a movie worth watching. The story ofApollo 18itself is respectable and there are a handful of scares in the film.Apollo 18is categorized under the horror genre, but it’s best enjoyed when audiences understand it’s more of a thriller.Apollo 18suffers the most from its restricting found-footage format, which focuses on the astronaut’s paranoia.
Moonfall
In Moonfall, a mysterious force knocks the Moon from its orbit around Earth and sends it hurtling on a collision course with life as we know it. With mere weeks before impact and the world on the brink of annihilation, NASA executive and former astronaut Jo Fowler is convinced she has the key to saving us all - but only one astronaut from her past, Brian Harper and conspiracy theorist K.C. Houseman believe her. So these unlikely heroes will mount an impossible last-ditch mission into space, leaving behind everyone they love, only to discover that our Moon is not what we think it is.
Known for his sci-fi and disaster films, director Roland Emmerich wrote and directed the 2022 filmMoonfall.The disaster film follows two former astronauts and a conspiracy theorist who uncover the truth about the moon after it’s knocked out of orbit and is heading for Earth.Moonfallis one of the most expensive independently produced films, but it wasn’t rewarded at the box office or in critical reviews. The story has its weaknesses, butthe strength ofMoonfalllies in its over-the-top action.
AsMoonfall’s characters rush to stop the moon from crashing on Earth,the stakes in the film get raised and are increasingly more absurd.Moonfallimplements the basics ofthe famous Hollow Moon conspiracyinto its story and adds an original twist as well, explaining that the moon was built by the ancestors of humans billions of years ago. A scene in which the gravitational pull of the moon rips buildings from the ground establishes the type of fun to be had inMoonfall.
InMoonhaven, people on Earth are struggling to survive. As a response to the devastation, a group of individuals — dubbed Mooners — are sent to the moon where they are provided with resources to rectify the crisis on Earth.Moonhavenhas a unique concept, as before the moon settlers can return to Earth with their knowledge, a shocking event halts their journey.Mixing the mystery, thriller, and science fiction genres,Moonhavenis highly entertainingand had a lot of potential for a planned, and then canceled season two. With only six episodes to its name, it doesn’t take long forMoonhavento capture audiences' attention.
Often, visual effects in sci-fi films and TV shows are hit or miss, but for the most part, the visual effects and production design inMoonhavenare strong.The visual elements of the sci-fi series, combined with the world-building elements in the script, immerse audiences into the fictional world.Moonhavenis among theleast scientifically accurate sci-fi shows, but that doesn’t hinder the viewing experience. The series is the most rewarding when audiences give in to its plot twists and complicated character relationships.
Ad Astra
Brad Pitt stars in Ad Astra as astronaut Roy McBride, who embarks on a mission to Neptune to find his missing father (Tommy Lee Jones) in the outer reaches of space. Liv Tyler and Donald Sutherland appear in this 2019 sci-fi movie directed by James Gray.
InAd Astra, Clifford McBride (Tommy Lee Jones) led a mission into space but mysteriously disappeared with his crew. For years, McBride’s son (Brad Pitt) has wondered what happened to his father, and he finally gets the opportunity to uncover the truth when the origins of a mysterious power surge on Earth are near his father’s last known whereabouts.Ad Astrawas lauded by critics for its layered storytellingset against a visually pleasing backdrop. On the surface,Ad Astrais merely a story about a son searching for his father. However, there are plenty more themes within the film’s narrative, including isolation, identity, and the relationship with one’s creator.
Again, the visuals inAd Astraare notable as well, and Pitt gives one of the better and more emotional performances of his career.
While Pitt does hold down most of the film on his own, he is still supported by a range of strong performances by actors like Ruth Negga and Donald Sutherland.However, the lack of action inAd Astrahas turned some audiences away. Still, audiences who are willing to ride out the slower pace of the film will be rewarded with an emotional and moving sci-fi story.
Space: 1999
Space: 1999 is a British science fiction series set in the year 1999, following the inhabitants of Moonbase Alpha as the moon is blown out of Earth’s orbit by a massive explosion. Led by Commander John Koenig (Martin Landau), the crew faces survival challenges while encountering various alien civilizations. Created by Gerry and Sylvia Anderson, the show combines futuristic technology with dramatic storytelling.
Airing nearly a decade after the premiere ofStar Trek: The Original Series,Space: 1999was another sci-fi show set in space.Space: 1999follows a group of individuals aboard Moonbase Alpha, a research center on the moon. The series kicks off with a nuclear waste explosion that sends the moon out of Earth’s orbit. The survival ofSpace: 1999’s characters after this event, and a few other life-threatening circumstances throughout the series, led a few critics to knock the series for its scientific inaccuracies. However,Space: 1999makes up for its inaccuracies with dazzling visuals and complex storytelling.
Space: 1999is one ofthe best sci-fi shows of the ’70s, and that’s partially because of its visual elements. Brian Johnson, who worked on the special effects of2001: A Space Odysseya few years beforeSpace: 1999, was the special effects director. Under his direction,Space: 1999implemented a mix of photographic blow-ups and scale models, which was not only cost-effective but realistic as well. Additionally, the dramatic, orchestral Barry Gray score that took over the first season added to the mystical atmosphere that made season 1 beloved.
Moon
Duncan Jones presents Moon, a sci-fi mystery drama that follows Astronaut Sam Bell, who has spent the last three years working at a lunar mine in isolation and is coming up at the end of his shift. However, as Sam prepares to return home to his family and meet his daughter for the first time, he begins to experience vivid hallucinations of a younger version of himself and begins to experience hazardous events. Before Lunar Industries arrives to relieve him of duty, he must uncover the reason for his recent psychosis and free himself of his mental prison.
Duncan Jones made his directorial debut withMoonand, unlike a few other sci-fi stories set on the moon, Jones' film is a bit slower. There is the occasional action scene, buta majority ofMoonasks that audiences stick with its main character, Sam Bell (Sam Rockwell), as he begins to lose parts of his sanity.Moondetails Sam’s day-to-day life on the far side of the moon, where he is the sole worker mining helium-3. Sam’s only companion is an A.I. andMoondoes a great job at establishing the isolation Sam feels, as well as the monotony in his routine.
While there aren’t any battles with extraterrestrial creatures or the threat of a planetary war, Rockwell’s performance does just enough to keep the audience’s attention.
Sam’s isolation is further demonstrated byMoon’srepetitive use of interior sets, which was partially a result of the film’s minimized production costs. As Sam is nearing his final days on the moon, he begins to experience odd hallucinations. While there aren’t any battles with extraterrestrial creatures or the threat of a planetary war, Rockwell’s performance does just enough to keep the audience’s attention. Rockwell earned high levels of praise for his performance, which added to the array of award nominationsMoonreceived.
