The success of Alex Garland’s Annihilation and Ex-Machina demonstrate how much of an appetite genre fans have for intelligent science-fiction filmmaking. The likes of Moon, Under the Skin, Primer and Predestination show that budget doesn’t have to be an obstacle to success. We no longer live in an age where the lack of a wide theatrical release will automatically destroy the chances of a film. Prospect is another interesting entry into the pantheon.
Damon (Jay Duplass) has been contracted to mine gems from a poisonous forest on a remote moon. He’s accompanied on the trip by his teenage daughter Cee (Sophie Thatcher). Whilst the plan is to get in and out as quickly as possible before they attract unwanted attention, greed gets the better of him. This results with them falling prey to the opportunistic Ezra (Pedro Pascal) and Cee having to evade the planet’s hostile inhabitants.
Prospect is a thoughtful and cleverly-made sci-fi which showcases the talents of the impressive Sophie Thatcher. Her performance is pitch perfect. Whilst Zeek Earl and Chris Caldwell’s film might be low on budget, it’s big on atmosphere and attention to detail. Pitting a father and daughter against fellow prospectors in a futuristic gold rush. Prospect is a boldly original and impressively stylish cerebral gem.
Prospect screens at Sci-Fi London on 11 April and is released by Signature Entertainment on DVD, Blu-ray and Digital on 22 April.
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