On-board the Event Horizon, it’s best to avoid walking towards the light
Event Horizon
Directed by Paul W. S. Anderson
Starring Laurence Fishburne, Sam Neill, Kathleen Quinlan, Jason Isaacs, Sean Pertwee
Review by Jordan
warning: possible spoilers lay ahead
An ominous and potent melding of the artistry present in the Notre Dame Cathedral, nightmare excerpts forged by H. R. Giger (most notably his eternally iconic creations in the Alien series) and gliding behemoths traversing through space in Kubrick’s 2001 a Space Odyssey (1068), the spaceship Event Horizon boasts an impressive presence, standing suspiciously still and undamaged in the orbit of Neptune, hiding terribly dark secrets within.
A rescue crew responding to distressed calls for help, led by the no-nonsense, slightly damaged yet heroic Captain Miller (Laurence Fishburne) and accompanied by the evasive outsider and the vessels creator Dr. William Weir (Sam Neill) approach this ship with trepidation 7 years after it’s maiden voyage has ended in disaster, unsure of exactly where it has been and what has become of it’s populous. Is anyone left alive? How much does Weir really know? What exactly is the Gravity Drive and where has the Event Horizon been?
The answer to this last question in particular is the reason Paul W. S. Anderson’s film has risen over time from critically condemned science-fiction thriller to highly regarded (among a minority) cult horror classic. You see, the Event Horizon has literately been to Hell and back, and as Dr. Weir so broodingly states: “Hell is only a word. The reality is much, much worse.”
I created the Event Horizon to reach the stars, but she’s gone much, much farther than that. She tore a hole in our universe, a gateway to another dimension. A dimension of pure chaos. Pure… evil. When she crossed over, she was just a ship. But when she came back… she was alive! Look at her, Miller. Isn’t she beautiful?
Initially suspenseful and successful in establishing an environment so difficult to imagine, before accelerating it’s pace and presenting a cacophony of gore-strewn imagery, horrific acts of violence and suitably dreadful plot twists, Event Horizon still may not be the next Alien (1979) or the The Shining (1980) as re-imagined by Marilyn Manson as was perhaps the intention, but is a downright terrifying experience for those willing to suspend disbelief for the sake of entertainment and with the Gravity Drive especially boasts numerous outstanding sets. The cast too go a long way to making this the memorable voyage it is, with A-listers Fishburne and Neill striving to bring a touch of gravitas to their one-note roles and B-grade professionals Kathleen Quinlan (The Doors, Oscar nominated for Apollo 13) and Sean Pertwee (Dog Soldiers, Wilderness) grounding proceedings and offering moments of both pathos and grin-inspiring toughness.
One of the scariest movies of the ’90’s, though you still won’t hear most established journalists admit to it, Event Horizon is a trip to some extremely dark recesses that never crosses the point of no return but rather teases with the audience’s limits. It’s bleak yet exciting and downright brilliant, and worthy of space in your collection.
A classic indeed! One of my favorites!
Glad you agree! It’s strange looking back at how poorly it was initially received.
Jordan
I didn’t like it as much as you did, but I do love the reappearing-craft-from-Earth-mystery storyline. Event Horizon did a better job than Sphere, but I hope the idea will be revisited again in future, there’s a lot of potential for a really great sci-fi film and even a franchise of them.
Oh I like where you’re going with that, I’m a sucker for sci-fi horror and would relish a series of films similar to this.
Jordan.
Completely agree, its a horror sci-fi classic
It’s bizarre how low it’s Rotten Tomatoes score is! Glad you agree.
Jordan
I like this more as a thriller than for gore horror. I would have liked to have seen more of the science fiction explored, but still, it’s an unappreciated gem. Nice write-up.
True, I would have liked that too, but one must remember that this is a Paul W. S. Anderson film, ha.
Jordan
Ha, right. We should be relieved it is it as good as it is. For me, it is similar to how brilliant the first three acts are of Danny Boyle’s Sunshine, before it devolves into a tired horror cliche.
Oh I think Sunshine is brilliant the whole way through! Though I do understand that the plot does unravel. One of my fav cinema experiences that one.
Jordan
I figured you were a fan. I am a huge fan of it but was let down by the monster in the dark ending. It doesn’t prevent me from recommending it though. Love the John Murphy score.
Yeah understandable. Gee the audio was just so good.
I love this film, great review! One of the best science fiction pictures of the nineties!
Cheers! I have my special edition with collectors packaging sitting atop my collection with pride.
Jordan
Hahaha, so do I, that kind of tin version resembling the ship right? Wish they’d make a blu-ray collectors edition!
Yep! That’s the one!
Same! I have it on blu but just standard packaging which isn’t great.
Yep! Same here 🙂
Watched this years ago on mushrooms. Horrible idea. Haven’t seen it since.
Haha, time to give it another go I reckon!
Jordan
Count me in! I’m a fan of this one too. Eerie and suspenseful. Great work Jordan.
Adam.
Yep join the party! I’m loving all the support for this film!
Jordan
Ah, such nostalgia! One of my guilty pleasures. Phil
Seems a lot of us feel the same about this one! Which I’m loving to see.
Jordan
One of the greatest sci-fi horror movies ever, love it!
Gee thats big praise isn’t it, but duly warranted!
Jordan
I was so creeped out the first time I saw this.
Same! I remember showing it to my sisters and friends after I first watched it just to see if it really was as scary as I found it.. I realised pretty soon that the answer was yes,
Jordan
I’ve always thought the concept was brilliant (The Shining in space) and in better hands this could have been amazing. I find it pretty bland and flat to be honest.
Oh that’s a shame. It’s not high art by any stretch of the imagination, just a scary thrill ride with some fantastically spooky environments.
Jordan
Goddamn I love this movie
Ha you’re not alone!
Jordan
One of the few horror movies I enjoy.
Paul Anderson has not reached these heights since.
I’d have to agree with that, as much as I love a certain zombie series he’s still making of course…
Jordan
A lot of hit and miss on that.
Was so freaked out by this film when I saw it as a teenager. It’s so bleak.
Films come and go but this one never leaves your memory!
Very true! I remember only buying it when I was very young because of the cool DVD packaging, needless to say it was a lot scarier than I was expecting.
Jordan
I remember renting this from ‘Blockbuster’ and loving it so much, the day I returned it, I purchased the used VHS they had available. Several years later I purchased the DVD, which has a nice ‘making of…’ featurette.
Ha gee that’s good, I hope you still have that VHS. The special features on the DVD are great.
Jordan
This movie scared the living shit out of me. I sat up in bed all night after watching it and although that was 15 years ago I’m still not sure I’m up for watching it again.
I dug this movie; it was super fun. However, it left my wife in hysterics. Now when we watch movies together, I’m not allowed to pick.
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