The Titan (3/5)

The Titan is a fascinating Netflix sci-fi thriller that both entertains and makes you question humanity. Be sure to check it out if you like sci-fi.

The Titan is a sci-fi thriller on Netflix that you really need to check out. It stars Sam Worthington and Taylor Schilling, who both work perfectly in their respective roles. Also, we have Noah Jupe (A Quiet Place) as their son and lots of truly awesome supporting actors.

Fundamentally, The Titan asks the very simple question; What do we do when this planet can’t sustain us anymore?

Well, instead of simply finding a new home, this movie takes a different approach; How can we adapt to another planet?

You can watch the trailer for The Titan right here or continue reading our review below.

Let’s create a superhero

Finding Earth 2 is no easy task, so maybe we just need to evolve into something else. That’s basically the concept of The Titan. unfortunately, the test subjects have to go through a forced evolution. Something that will kill most of them.

This isn’t Avatar or Terminator, where something takes over for your body. No, your own body will have to evolve. Basically, they’re trying to make Space Captain America.

In order to create these superhero versions of a human being, they need to push evolution fast. This means gene modification in ways that aren’t really by the book. But hey, we’re all going to die pretty soon, so the test subjects are willing to do their part.

Sci-fi with a fantasy twist

This definitely feels very much like a sci-fi thriller, but as the main character evolves, so does The Titan. It begins to feel a bit more like an action fantasy. I don’t mean this in any bad way.

And yes, there are elements of horror as well. Also, there is lots and lots of blood!

While the method of creating a superhero might not work, it’s certainly something that has been tried before. One example of this was in the Nazi concentration camps – something which is also mentioned in the movie.

Obviously, the huge difference here is the fact that the test subjects have volunteered for the good of humanity.

I love the very premise of The Titan so for me it works perfectly. The story is very much about the human spirit and how we can achieve impossible things. But it’s also about power and greed, even when it’s disguised as necessary measures.

Gorgeous slow-burn

The Titan is the feature film debut for director Lennart Ruff. He’s made four short films in the past and while this is a differently paced sci-fi movie, I really enjoyed it.

It does have a slower pace, which could partially be compared to Avatar. However, this is also a lot darker and more thriller and horror than action and fantasy. Even if I do feel it has elements of all these genres.

The story was written by Arash Amel, while the script was done by Max Hurwitz. Hurwitz previously wrote an episode of Manhunt: Unabomber, which also stars Sam Worthington.

The Titan was released on Netflix worldwide on March 30, 2018.

Details

Director: Lennart Ruff
Cast: Sam Worthington, Taylor Schilling, Tom Wilkinson, Noah Jupe, Nathalie Emmanuel

Plot

A military family takes part in a ground-breaking experiment of genetic evolution and space exploration.