There can never be too many terrifying movies that take place in space. With the recent home release of Life (2017), it felt appropriate to revisit a classic in the realm of space horror. This is why you should watch Event Horizon.


The Premise

The spacecraft Event Horizon mysteriously disappeared on its maiden voyage, only to reappear in Neptune’s orbit seven years later. The spaceship Lewis and Clark is sent to investigate. (Horror/Science-Fiction)


The Cast & Crew

It is hard to deny director Paul W.S. Anderson has flair. ‘Event Horizon’ released in 1997, between Anderson’s adaptations of Mortal Kombat (1995) and Resident Evil (2002). Even with the bleak setting of a derelict spacecraft, Anderson injects vibrant color, making this film stand out among the genre. This approach can be seen throughout Anderson’s Resident Evil films as well, combining a decaying setting with elements of intense color. In some ways ‘Event Horizon’ can be seen as a proto-Resident Evil, as Anderson does not shy away from gore.


Sam Neill takes a break from being a dinosaur expert to spend some time as a spaceship expert. During this period, Neill was putting out some fantastic work. In ‘Event Horizon’, he brings the intensity seen in thrillers like Dead Calm (1989) and the John Carpenter classic In the Mouth Of Madness (1995).


Lawrence Fishburne is looking lean and mean in his pre-Morpheus days, just two years before The Matrix (1999). As Captain of the Nebuchadnezzar...I mean, Lewis & Clark, Larry proves he can be a strong enough presence on screen to be a believable Captain while not overshadowing his co-stars. Not the most substantial role for him, but again, it’s a great audition for his more defining work later on.


The Film Itself

The film overall holds up very well in light of the issues that aging sci-fi movies face. Use of practical effects means there is no jarring CGI moments, and the thematic threats hold up. For instance, the threat is not the Y2K bug. At a brisk 95 minutes of interesting set pieces and compelling performances, viewers are better off enjoying the ride instead of pondering the science behind the events that take place. This isn’t scientifically sound like The Martian (2015), or even Europa Report (2013). That being said, if you want to see Morpheus take on Resident Evil in Space, then you need to check out Event Horizon!


Why You Should Watch...is all about why you should check out older or forgotten ‘rotten’ movies. If you have any suggestions, let us know!




