Life in Space

Like what the headline title said, Settlers is a lame, underwhelming, and overall pretty disappointing Sci-fi flick due to a derivative predictable plot, mediocre performances, really slow clunky pacing that drags on way too long, a nothing score, weak direction, and overall poor execution. The few redeeming qualities this movie has going for include good cinematography, surprisingly solid production values, and despite the poor execution the movie's premise seems interesting.

Movie started off fine, but around 25-30 minutes in it got real stale fast. Not recommended.

Most bad reviews are (in my opinion) based on the assumption of the (re)viewers that they will get something like a post-apocalyptic survival action movie on Mars, but instead got a drama touching topics like bonding, loneliness, guilt, revenge and forgiveness and the like.

Settlers for sure got also some issues regarding world-building, and the tempo of the unfolding narrative is rather slow, but on the other hand, it got a fine meditative, dark and melancholic quality, that I liked. What else? Acting and production are solid to good, effects too.

So beware: if you expect or want some action or adventure movie in a sci-fi context, Settlers is in all likelihood the wrong choice for you.

Ilsa (Sofia Boutella), Reza (Jonny Lee Miller), and their daughter Remmy (Brooklynn Prince) are living in a remote settlement by themselves. They are attacked by a group led by Jerry (Ismael Cruz Córdova).

The movie doesn't do a lot of expositions or clarity. It doesn't do flashy things. It's lowkey serious tone and the deliberately stripped down story telling leave the movie feeling a bit empty. There are lots of missed opportunity. It hints at a dangerous world outside. It would have been great to have the characters run around in it.

This is a story that could take place on Earth - when for any reason you decide to write a scenario for a story om Mars, you MUST take into consideration AT LEAST basic facts about Mars, otherwise DO NOT PUT YOUR STORY ON MARS. If you do not have enough BUDGET to shoot a Mars-based film, DO NOT DO IT, PUT IT AN AN IMAGINARY PLANET... Subsequently it does not matter whether the storyline or the actors are decent, the whole film becomes just 'unacceptable', it is as simple as that...

...to appreciate this film, and even then it could be better.

Mars does have water, btw, and a breathable atmosphere could be produced through various processes. The huge dome for just one farm is a bit of a stretch.

But this isn't really about Mars, and the sci-fi elements are mainly window dressing.

Many questions are raised, but answers are scant and no more than hints. If you can be patient with that, it tells an interesting story about human nature and desperation, but it is a rather grey and grim story with nothing uplifting.

That, in the end, is why I don't give it more than 5 stars, despite good performances and accomplishing a lot on a limited budget. It's very dystopian, in the most depressing sense.