Nato – Europa Report
Here’s a film that some may argue isn’t horror, yet I’ll defend the terrifying classification of Europa Report to the death. This is a space exploration film that doesn’t end with a rubber alien killing people, or a lazer battle, or any other type of sci-fi schlock, instead focusing simply on the dangers of human curiosity. People often take on these crazy missions “in the name of science,” charging into the great unknown all for the sake of knowledge. Sometimes these adventures end in triumph, and other times our unpreparedness for the unknown becomes our downfall. Europa Report is not one of those happy ending stories – or is it?
Some of the most chilling death scenes I’ve seen in this year’s horror slate occurred in Europa Report, not because they were brutal, graphic, or showed exploding heads and such, but they instead focused on characters being forced to embrace their fate. Whether you’re plunging downward into freezing waters or drifting helplessly farther and farther into space, you’ve still got enough life support to stay alive for however many minutes as you inch closer to your fate. Death is approaching, you can’t stop it, yet you’re forced to consciously be aware of the scenario as safety slides farther and farther out of reach. That, my friends, is true horror – acceptance of one’s final breaths.
Of course, on the other hand, writer Philip Gelatt and director Sebastián Cordero created a beautiful story about self-sacrifice that benefits the greater good, so amidst all the darkness there is inspiration to be found – but that all depends on your mindset. In any case, Europa Report is a breathtaking thriller with behavioural implications rooted deeply in human nature, and a sci-fi film that relies on intelligence over wackiness. Science, damn you!
I know way too many people who haven’t seen, or even heard of this film yet, so I’m throwing in the trailer. Trust me, this is one movie that you don’t want to miss.