Leviathan appears to be a surefire success on paper. The director, who was previously renowned in the indie scene, had recently ventured into blockbuster territory with hits like Rambo: First Blood Part II and Cobra. Renowned writers David Webb Peoples and Jeb Stuart, known for their work on Blade Runner and Die Hard respectively, were on board. The project also boasted the special effects expertise of Stan Winston, the mastermind behind Jurassic Park and Predator. Plus, it starred Peter Weller, the iconic Robocop himself. On paper, everything seemed perfect. However, the final product of Leviathan turned out to be just as intriguing for its flaws.
During the 80s, almost every sci-fi action movie released drew comparisons to The Thing and Alien. These comparisons were rarely favorable, but they were almost always accurate. John Carpenter's and Ridley Scott's respective classics defined the genre and imparted enduringly critical lessons. Even today, there are frequent homages to The Thing and Alien, but it was in the 80s that these similarities were consistently pointed out.
What is Leviathan about?
Who directed Leviathan?
Leviathan delves into the treacherous depths of an undersea mining operation, spearheaded by the skilled geologist Steven Beck (Peter Weller). Accompanying him are his trusty team members: Doc, Sixpack, Willie, Jones, DeJesus, Bowman, and Cobb. Together, they delve into the mysterious ocean floor donning protective pressurized suits. Their journey takes an unexpected turn when they stumble upon a sunken Soviet vessel named the Leviathan. This vessel reveals spine-chilling records documenting the macabre and enigmatic demise of its crew.Tragedy strikes as Sixpack, the very first individual to discover the wreckage, succumbs to a sudden and grotesque mass of wounds on his back. Alarming signs indicate the rapid spread of a perplexing infection. Beck and Doc desperately attempt to resurface, but an unforgiving storm mercilessly engulfs them, trapping them below the unfathomable depths. As if the situation couldn't worsen, the lifeless corpses around them inexplicably reanimate, morphing and conjoining into something unspeakably horrific.
As the grim truth unravels, the crew unearths unsettling and morally reprehensible experiments conducted on board the Leviathan. In an unfortunate twist of fate, a stolen bottle of vodka from the ship inadvertently spreads the infection throughout their very own base. With each passing moment, the dwindling number of survivors find themselves facing not only the terror of their infection but also the impending threat posed by every single victim-turned-monster. Now, the remaining miners must summon every ounce of their resilience and resourcefulness to go head-to-head with their nightmarish fate and fight for their very survival.
Leviathan was directed by George P. Cosmatos, an Italian filmmaker who first made a name for himself with war dramas. One of his notable works, Massacre in Rome, delves into the gripping story of Italian hostages executed by the Nazis, revealing the complex stance of the Catholic Church. Transitioning to blockbuster films in the late 70s, he crafted a thrilling ensemble adventure called Escape to Athena, set on a Greek island during World War II. Cosmatos made his North American debut with the peculiar horror film Of Unknown Origin, starring none other than Peter Weller. In 1985 and 1986, he catapulted into the American market with two action-packed blockbusters starring Sylvester Stallone: Rambo: First Blood Part II and Cobra. While these films were financially successful, they received harsh criticism from the experts. Despite the critical and audience backlash faced by his subsequent movie, Leviathan, Cosmatos bounced back with his most remarkable North American work, the iconic 1993 western Tombstone. Following this achievement, Cosmatos directed one final film, a widely-reviled political thriller named Shadow Conspiracy, before his tragic death in 1997. Although his story concludes on a somber note, his son ensures that his legacy lives on.
George Cosmatos's son is Panos Cosmatos. Few filmmakers have ever been as different as George and Panos. George, known for his gritty yet epic war dramas, later transitioned into directing crowd-pleasing blockbusters. Panos Cosmatos, on the other hand, took a completely unconventional path. His first film, Beyond a Black Rainbow, was reportedly funded with DVD residuals from Tombstone. Panos is known for his anarchic, brutal, and politically charged science fiction films. His 2018 follow-up, Mandy, is widely regarded as one of the most uniquely engaging films of the past decade. Interestingly, Panos has mentioned that he draws inspiration for his ideas from the covers of older science fiction films that he was forbidden from watching, possibly due to his father's influence. Although George wasn't present to witness Panos' debut feature, the bond between them remains endlessly fascinating.
How does Leviathan end?
The infection spreads its corruption to anyone it contacts, transforming them into monstrous beings and reanimating their lifeless bodies. Initially, Sixpack succumbs to the infection, transmitting it to Bowman, resulting in the fusion of their corpses into a highly perilous creature. To safeguard the crew, they forcibly expel the combined entity into the depths of the ocean. A dismembered tentacle awakens and transforms into a predatory eel-like creature, viciously attacking DeJesus. Subsequently, it seizes his body and utilizes his mass to generate additional appendages. Beck discovers the newly formed monstrosity consuming bags of blood from a medical container. In an attempt to neutralize the threat, he endeavors to lure it into the same containment area and flush it out. Meanwhile, Doc ejects the escape pods, ensuring that no one can reach the surface and propagate the infection. Unfortunately, Cobb becomes infected and infects Doc as well. Willie uncovers the disturbing revelation that their employers have falsely declared them deceased. The creature initiates a catastrophic pressure implosion, compelling the remaining crew members to don protective suits and flee. Ultimately, they emerge onto the surface, where a Coast Guard helicopter locates them. However, the creature resurfaces and launches an attack. Displaying incredible bravery, Jones sacrifices himself to save the others, while Beck resolves the peril by hurling an explosive device into the beast's maw, ultimately annihilating it. As the story concludes, Beck confronts and delivers a powerful blow to their employer for condemning them to a hopeless fate.
Compared to The Thing and Alien, Leviathan holds its own as an enjoyable experience. However, looking at Cosmatos's career as a whole offers a more intriguing perspective than this singular peculiar chapter. Leviathan delves into the realm of classic monster horror, incorporating elements of gore and imaginative concepts. While not everything comes together perfectly, it is still worth revisiting.
