Unveiling a Forgotten Gem: Revisiting the Unsung 2000s Space Horror Masterpiece

Deep space is inherently terrifying, even without the presence of deadly aliens. The mere emptiness and hostility of the environment can drive a person insane. Pandorum, directed by Christian Alvart, poses the question: what happens when the last hope for humanity succumbs to madness in the darkness of space, putting its own survival at risk?

Prior to his film career, Christian Alvart had a background in film journalism and made his directorial debut in 1999. He made his English-language debut with Case 39, which premiered shortly before Pandorum in New Zealand. Despite remaining in his native Germany, Alvart gained recognition internationally through streaming platforms, particularly with his thriller Dogs of Berlin. While his thrillers and horror films may not be everyone's favorite, his talent is undeniably unique.

What is Pandorum about?

Pandorum is a fictional term used to describe the effects of Orbital Dysfunctional Syndrome, which is a type of emotional breakdown experienced by astronauts during long space voyages. The Elysium, carrying 60,000 passengers, is on a 123-year journey to escape Earth's destruction and settle on a planet called Tanis. The passengers are in cryosleep, except for a rotating crew of maintenance workers who wake up every two years to perform checks on the spacecraft. Unexpectedly, two crew members named Bower and Payton awaken from cryosleep, leading to psychological and mental struggles due to the lack of warning. The ship's nuclear reactor is unstable, and they discover that the bridge is inaccessible. Additionally, they come across a decomposed body and a fatally injured mechanic. Bower and Payton must uncover the reasons behind their sudden awakening and unravel the mystery of the other beings present on the Elysium.

Bower finds himself pursued by a group of cannibalistic humanoids who appear to have caused extensive damage to the ship. He crosses paths with Nadia and Manh, initially met with hostility but eventually forming an alliance for survival. They encounter Leland, a cook who has managed to survive by consuming discarded water, moss, and even human flesh. On the other hand, Payton encounters Gallo, a dangerous individual who reveals that the Elysium is lost in space and admits to killing his own maintenance team in self-defense. Bower gradually descends into madness when he learns that his wife and loved ones perished on Earth while they were in stasis. Leland discloses that Gallo began waking up numerous passengers and incited them to adopt a violent and cannibalistic lifestyle. Gallo then returned to cryosleep, leaving the others to evolve into horrifying mutants. Together, Bower, Payton, Nadia, Leland, and Manh face the daunting task of surviving and uncovering whether there is any remaining hope.

Why does Pandorum work?

When it comes to space horror cinema, Alien still holds the crown as the ultimate. It's difficult to find a scary movie set in space that doesn't draw inspiration from Ridley Scott's masterwork. Pandorum, undoubtedly, owes a debt to the stranded Nostromo crew, but it also draws influence from other films. It takes cues from Event Horizon and Sunshine, while also incorporating elements of the occasional zombie thriller. The most significant contrast, however, lies in Alien's Gothic horror within a futuristic setting. It takes its time, provoking a sense of unease and leaving a lasting impact. This film delves deep into the psyche of its audience, forever altering their perception of dark hallways and expansive ceilings. On the other hand, Pandorum is unrelenting, suffocating, and overwhelming. It strives not to build an atmosphere, but rather erects an impenetrable wall of sound and chaos, pushing its heroes to the brink of sanity. Alien captivates through the fear of isolation in a disconcertingly silent void, while Pandorum submerges viewers in a sea of violence and horror, where hope eventually fades away. With an outstanding performance by Ben Foster and a captivating unraveling story, this film provides a thrilling experience.

How does Pandorum end?

Bower embarks on a perilous mission to reactivate the reactor in Elysium, risking his life in the process. Unfortunately, the unleashed energy claims the lives of numerous mutants. Manh chooses to spare a mutant child, only to meet a swift and unexpected demise. Meanwhile, Payton devises a potent sedative to cope with Gallo's deteriorating mental state. However, as they engage in a fierce struggle, Payton makes a shocking discovery - he has unknowingly been Gallo all along. Gallo, who woke up with amnesia, mistakenly believed himself to be Payton, whom he had previously killed. Utilizing the sedative, Gallo eliminates Leland. Unveiling the ship's windows to Bower and Nadia, Gallo exposes them to the chilling emptiness of space, devoid of any stars. As Gallo argues for the continuation of his primitive society, Bower gradually loses himself in the chaos.

Nadia spots a glowing object in the distance from the window. Approaching the computer, she discovers that they have been on the Elysium for 923 years, with their crash on Tanis occurring 800 years ago. Bower experiences a violent hallucination, smashing a window and revealing their location at the ocean floor for the past eight centuries. This causes the vessel to flood, prompting Nadia to rescue Bower by bringing him to a hypersleep pod just as the ship enters emergency protocol. The remaining 1,211 pods are launched to the surface, while Gallo and the mutants meet their demise underwater. Bower and Nadia eventually find themselves floating towards a lush tropical coastline, followed by the other pods.

Though not flawlessly executed, Pandorum deserves much more recognition than the harsh criticism it received. Despite borrowing elements seen in other films, Pandorum successfully combines and presents them in its own unique way. The terror of space showcased in this movie is worth experiencing again.