Event Horizon (1997)

 

Before Paul WS Anderson only resorted to churning out mediocre and less than mediocre sequels to videogame adaptations (starring his wife Milla Jovovich), he actually managed to create some memorable films. In case of this one: a bonafide horrorclassic, at least when it comes to cult. At the time of release, 'Event Horizon' didn't do so well, but over the years it has gained a lot more appreciation and rightly so. 

The original cut was apparently a lot more graphic and violent, which makes a lot of people wonder what that would have been like, but alas, we may never know. Thanks, studio interference. 

The spaceship Event Horizon is a prototype, designed to cover vast interstellar distances thanks to a black hole generator that folds space. 

Don't think too much about the actual science, it's a little wonky to say the least.

But on its maiden voyage, it disappears without a trace. Seven years later, it suddenly reemerges and a rescue team is sent out, accompanied by dr Weir (Sam Neill), the ship's designer. They soon discover that there is something seriously amiss on board, as the entire crew has seemingly killed one another and our intrepid crew now is beginning to have hallucinations. Or are they hallucinations, though? The ship has been to a place no one knows, but it has brought back something malicious... 

So in essence, this is a haunted house in space. You might think that doesn't amount to anything special and usually, you would be right. But there's something about 'Event Horizon' that clicks. The actors are all really good, but what will stick with you the most is the design of the ship. The Event Horizon itself feels like a gothic cathedral of sorts, with lots of mechanical thingamajigs that seem silly and redundant but leave an impression. The greatest example of this is the room with the black hole generator. It is some brilliant design right there. Does it make sense? No. Does it look good? Hell yeah.

The film also has this pervasive atmosphere of foreboding dread and that never lets up, not even until almost the final frame. It makes you feel uneasy and on edge when watching this for the first time and that is something horrorfilms sometimes forget to do. It's not all about jumpscares or gore all the time, which is good. 

Let's just say: there's a good reason why this film has gained traction over the years and is now hailed as a cult classic. It may not be the best space horror ever (that might still go to 'Alien'), but it sure is one heck of a great ride and it is in fact a lot better than it got credit for back in the day. You know what to do.