“Event Horizon” is a science fiction horror film released in 1997. Directed by Paul W.S. Anderson and starring Sam Neill, Laurence Fishburne, and Kathleen Quinlan, the film follows a crew of astronauts who are sent on a mission to investigate the disappearance of the Event Horizon, a spacecraft that disappeared seven years earlier on a mission to explore the farthest reaches of the universe.
As the crew of the rescue ship, the Lewis and Clark, approach the Event Horizon, they begin to experience strange and terrifying phenomena. They soon realize that the Event Horizon has somehow traveled through a dimensional portal and has returned from its mission altered and possessed by an evil force.
The film explores themes of psychological terror, the dangers of scientific exploration, and the blurred line between sanity and madness. It is a visually stunning and atmospheric film that draws heavily from the traditions of classic horror and science fiction.
“There’s such a unique energy given off in this movie that it can’t convince me I’m watching what someone tried to label as a horror film because it has this playful and almost comical setback of shitty 90s CGI that I’ve only felt elsewhere watching old music videos like In the End by Linkin Park or Heart Shaped Box by Nirvana.”
@Bjorp on Letterboxd
One of the strengths of “Event Horizon” is its cast. Sam Neill gives a compelling performance as Dr. William Weir, the brilliant but unstable scientist who designed the Event Horizon. Laurence Fishburne brings a commanding presence as the captain of the Lewis and Clark, and Kathleen Quinlan delivers a solid performance as the ship’s medical officer. The rest of the cast is also strong, with each member of the crew bringing their own unique personality to the film.
The film’s visual style is another standout feature. The design of the Event Horizon is a masterful blend of futuristic technology and gothic horror. The ship is covered in rust and decay, with grotesque sculptures and statues adorning its halls. The special effects used to depict the horrors that the crew encounters are also impressive, with a combination of practical and digital effects creating some truly disturbing and visceral imagery.
The sound design of “Event Horizon” is also noteworthy. The score, composed by Michael Kamen, is haunting and atmospheric, and it helps to build tension and enhance the film’s sense of dread. The use of sound effects, particularly the screams and whispers that echo through the halls of the Event Horizon, also contribute to the film’s unsettling and eerie atmosphere.
Despite its strengths, “Event Horizon” is not without its flaws. The pacing of the film can be uneven at times, with slow moments that drag on too long and sudden bursts of action that feel jarring. The characters can also be underdeveloped, with some of them feeling like little more than stock horror movie archetypes.
“This movie notably has several laugh-out-loud moments and is plagued by some really shitty dialogue, but that’s what makes this movie so special to me, is that it OWNS its goofiness. If it had tried to successfully tell this plot under the constraints of such a small budget, I think it would’ve fallen flat on its face. The way it came out in the end, with poor SFX, massive disregard for anything realistic about space, (mostly) excellent casting, makes this film the beautiful thing that it is.”
@Bjorp on Letterboxd
Moreover, there is a popular myth that the director lost the footage of the film’s original cut. However, this is not entirely accurate. According to Anderson, the original cut of “Event Horizon” was around 130 minutes long and was shown to test audiences. The response to the film was reportedly negative, with many viewers finding it too gory and disturbing. As a result, the studio demanded that Anderson make significant cuts to the film, bringing it down to a more manageable 96-minute runtime. It’s not clear what happened to the original cut of the film, but Anderson has stated in interviews that he still has some of the footage and hopes to one day release a director’s cut of the film. He has also indicated that the missing footage may have been destroyed or lost during the film’s post-production process. There is no evidence to suggest that the director actually lost the footage of the film. Rather, the studio demanded significant changes to the film, resulting in a more streamlined and less graphic final product.
In conclusion, “Event Horizon” is a flawed but highly effective horror film. Its strong cast, stunning visuals, and unsettling atmosphere make it a standout entry in the genre. However, its graphic violence and uneven pacing may turn some viewers off. Overall, “Event Horizon” is a film that deserves to be seen by fans of horror and science fiction alike.
