Voyagers – A Modern Lord of the Flies In Space (Early Review)

Put a bunch of young, marketable actors in space. What can go wrong? Voyagers may not bring a new story by any means to the table though it banks on that star power to deliver an entertaining and tense space thriller despite its predictability factor. That being said, the film will surely not work for everyone and is best enjoyed going into blind if only to truly feel the full impact of the inevitable chaos. As much as we prepare for it, we can’t avoid our true nature. Regardless of the setting, there’s no way around it. With that, The Lord of the Flies is perhaps the first thing that comes to mind in that regard. The impulsiveness and naivety of youth adds some unpredictability to the situation while the collision of a few fiery personalities make for a very volatile mix. Becoming a ticking time bomb, it’s not about whether or not it will explode but rather how much damage it will make once it does. Besides, its cast, this is arguably its selling point and for that, it delivers.

Voyagers takes place in the near future where Earth is in decline and no longer sustainable for human life, Therefore, a mission is devised to send 30 young men and women into space for a multi-generational journey in the hopes of finding a new home for their grandchildren and the remainder of the human race. At least that’s the plan but little did they know, things did not go according to plan as the mission descended into chaos. Focusing on a trio of young crew members, Christopher (Sheridan), Zac (Whitehead), and Sela (Depp), the film follows them and the remainder of the crew go about their day-to-day lives preparing for their eventual destination. However being the hope for the human race, these kids were created to be the best of the best and were smarter and more resourceful than the rest. It was clear that they would see through the system that was created to control them and keep them working towards their mission.

As those cracks mounted and the facade shattered, the crew was left in disarray as they tried to make sense of the circumstances of their current situation and the hypothetical future created for them. Suffice it to say that some characters took it better than others and it was in that general chaos and confusion that Voyagers was at its best. Being still young and raised for a life that was based on a lie, many struggled during that search for meaning. With their youthful disposition and impulses no longer suppressed, they were free to live out their desires but that did not always go well as far as the ship was concerned. The contrast between before and after was quick and drastic as factions were formed though more character depth would have emphasized the full impact of this. As a result, the crew was forced to figure out where to go from there whether they wanted to or not. Watching them attempt to figure that out in spite of the conflicting personalities that worked against any future was exciting and suspenseful at times though the end, more or less, was never in doubt.

Technically speaking, the feeling of isolation and dread created by the great clean set design and the lighting used to bring ship where the majority of the film took place come to life only added to that tension. Ultimately, the best part of Voyagers was its performances from its cast across the board (including a few recognizable faces) but specifically Sheridan, Whitehead, and Depp and their chemistry as Christopher, Zac, and Sela respectively. They were each compelling to watch and showed some range, bringing some youthful energy and enthusiasm and strength and assertiveness, allowing audiences to connect with them on an emotional level, while taking charge when needed.

At the end of the day, Voyagers delivers an exciting sci-fi escape with actors that should continue to grace our screens for years to come.

still courtesy of Lionsgate

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Keith Noakes

The EIC of the coincidentally-named keithlovesmovies.com. A Canadian who prefers to get out of the cold and into the warmth of a movie theatre.