Even with multiple decades' worth of stories, aliens and alien abductions feel like territory still ripe with potential, whether it’s to leave us in fear the wayJordan Peele’sNopedid, create a sense of nostalgia in the vein of J.J. Abrams’Super 8, or a feeling of wonder about the vastness of the universe with Pixar’sElio. WithOsiris, co-writer/director William Kaufman aims for a more action-oriented approach, and while there is one recurring issue I have with the film, it proves to be one of the most exciting takes on the genre in a while.
Co-written by Kaufman and Paul Reichelt,Osirisrevolves around a groupof special forces soldiers, headed up by Max Martini’s Kelly, as they find themselves suddenly pulled away from a heated warzone to a mysterious craft. They quickly learn it’s home to a violent alien species who took them as trophies. Freed from their prison and with their weapons in tow, the group races to determine the answer behind their abduction and fight to get back home, with the help of two other abductees aboard the ship.
Osiris' Story Is Taut & Mostly Well-Paced
The Writing, On The Other Hand, Could’ve Used Some Work
With a 108-minute runtime, Kaufman and Reichelt waste almost no time getting to the main thrust ofOsiris' story. Muchin the way ofCubeorPredatorsbefore it, the creative duo make just enough use of the movie’s Earth-based opening to establish the group dynamic between its characters and their skills as a unit before putting us right on the ship. Even then, the story nicely doles out insight into the alien race and the group’s backstory as it pits them against waves of aliens.
But while there are parts in which the movie’s pace risks slowing down too much,Osiriscould have used some work in the script, which frequently feels a bit shallow. The dialogue between the team members is so stale that it can often be predicted before they even say it, while the characters themselves generally lack any kind of depth, just being the atypical bro soldier characters where the closest thing to a personality is how they’re responding to their situation.
Kaufman’s Direction & Visual Effects Are Some Of The Most Impressive I’ve Ever Seen
This Absolutely Rivals Big-Budget Studio Titles
With the film being an independent production and largely utilizing slight variations of the same set, I didn’t expect much fromOsiris' production values. They certainly took me by surprise in the best way possible. Kaufman showcases some truly stylish direction that nicely mixes multiple styles of action genre filmmaking, bouncing between aCall of Duty-like first-person POVto appropriately spaced hand-to-hand combat and large-scale shootouts.
Once the story shifts to its spaceship setting, Kaufman continues to find ways to make use of the claustrophobic hallways for some tense action sequences.
What’s even more impressive aboutOsirisare its visual effects, which rival even those of some of the big-budget studio movies. The alien’s technology is gorgeously realized with CGI that isn’t distracting and immersed me in the world of the film. The way certain characters find themselves in apparently large settings, like a cargo-container-filled storage room in which one character races across the higher-stacked containers, feels like a nice throwback to the use of miniatures and matte paintings to realize said locations.
Osiris' Cast Is Decent Enough In Their Roles
Linda Hamilton Could Have Used One Note, Though
Though the aforementioned lack of depth affects their actual presence onscreen,Osirisbenefits from having a solid enough cast. Max Martini, reuniting with Kaufman after the 2023 heist thrillerThe Channel, makes for an appropriately gripping team leader, whileSpecial Ops: Lionessalum LaMonica Garrettfinds a way to bring some soul to the team’s second-in-command. It’s also great to see Brianna Hildebrand show off her action chops as Ravi after being largely on the sidelines during herDeadpooltenure.
However, I was a little mixed on Linda Hamilton, who played Russian special forces op Anya and Ravi’s mom, who has lived aboard the ship for the better part of 30 years. Much likeher iconic role of Sarah Connorand even her recent work as General McCallister inResident Alien, the Golden Globe and Emmy nominee is plenty powerful as the self-reliant Anya, though it’s her accent that could have used some work, as her Russian often slips back into her normal voice.
Osirishits theaters and VOD on July 25.
