Earth is a dying planet, pretty much breathing her last already - literally, as the planet's gradually losing its oxygen. Most of humankind, at least those lucky or rich enough, have escaped into outer space, searching for planets to colonize. And one jump-off place for that is Jupiter's moon Io. If you've made it there, you're safe - for the time being.

Sam (Margaret Qualley) hasn't made it to Io, she's still on earth, inhabiting one of the last fresh air pockets. But she has stayed behind voluntarily: She and her (Danny Huston) father believed that it might be possible to make earth inhabitable again, and the two of them have created a little paradise, where they grow their own food, keep bees for honey (and experiments), and keep things hopeful. And even after her father died, Sam refused to give up on his dream, as she has continued his experiment ever since and kept hope alive. And now she hears that the last shuttles to Io are leaving earth soon (and for good) with the last survivors - and when she figures she just doesn't have enough oxygen to make it to start-off point, that leaves her quite content. Then one day a stranger, Micah (Anthony Mackie), shows up on her doorstep who has made it to Sam's plot of land, initially to talk to Sam's father - which is not possible for obvious reasons -, but then he and Sam gradually develop a friendship, even love, for one another, and soon make plans to leave for Io together, and overcome all kinds of obstacles to facilitate this. But will Sam ever be willing to leave her beloved Mother Earth behind?

A different kind of post-apocalyptic drama, this one is more or less free of spectacle, effects or the like, moves along at a deliberately slow pace, and looks at the subject from a more philosophical point of view - without forgetting to tell its story though, which in its simplicity is weirdly touching. That said, in its dialogue, Io sometimes does get a little heavy-handed, especially when it comes to bringing ancient Greek legends into the mix, but that doesn't hurt the flow with which the film draws in its audience much. And of course, a small but solid cast and a subtle directorial effort making the most of its locations doesn't hurt either. That said, this is a movie that's certainly not for everyone, as it's a bit of an antithesis to today's mainstream science fiction entertainment, and it's really up to everyone individually if that's one's thing in the first place.

review © by Mike Haberfelner

 

Feeling lucky? Want to search any of my partnershops yourself for more, better results? (commissions earned)

The links below will take you just there!!!

Find Io at the amazons ...   amazon.com   amazon.co.uk   amazon.de Looking for imports? Find Io here ...   eThaiCD.com Your shop for all things Thai Something naughty? (Must be over 18 to go there!)   find Io at adultvideouniverse.com

Thanks for watching !!!