Overview
Incoming is a 2018 science-fiction action thriller directed by Eric Zaragoza, which is his debut as a feature film director. The action takes place on a precursor International Space Station, which serves as an in-orbit prison for high value terrorists. Alongside Scott Adkins, who plays the hardened CIA agent Reiser, the movie features Michelle Lehane as Dr. Stone and Aaron McCusker as pilot Bridges. The film fuses claustrophobic space thrillers with martial arts and conspiracy laden government secrets.
Plot Summary
The movie begins with the “Wolf Pack” terrorist group executing a bombing in London. Several high value terrorist suspects are captured and kept in a covert orbital detention center called “The Hammer,” which is an old International Space Station. The facility operates under extreme secrecy, is garrisoned by a single guard, and is ungoverned by any international laws.
Aboard the shuttle, Dr. Stone, Bridges, and Reiser form a somewhat dysfunctional team consisting of a humanitarian doctor, a shuttle pilot, and a CIA operative. While Dr. Stone has a medical review to perform on prisoners, it seems that Reiser’s primary focus is on security. Dr. Stone becomes concerned early in her visit with the callous practices of the sole guard aboard torture who is Kingsley, torture who is Kingsley.
A sudden surge of compassion as well as attention to the behavioral tendencies of her patients is what leads to her blunder. Attempting to assist a Wolf Pack member dubbed Argun leads to him taking the opportunity to escape. Following this, Argun starts the liberating process to not just himself but his fellow cellmates resulting in violent rebellion on the station. In the process of commandeering the station, they manage to take control of critical systems while defeating the scant staff present.
With the primary aim of using the station as a weapon against major cities (Moscow being the primary target), the terrorists begin programming the station to drift off into Earth’s atmosphere. Bridges, Reiser, and Stone, however, find themselves in a race against time as they try to avert the detonation whilst also regaining control of the station after losing communication.
Throughout the ordeal, Reiser demonstrates irrational judgment coupled with a violent streak. Although an efficient and trained combatant, his behavior grows increasingly frenzied posing challenges to intra-group cohesion. Ultimately, it comes to light that Reiser operates on a different playbook, cutting some allegiances within the team, thus raising suspicions about his loyalty. Tension escalates in the showdown as Stone confronts Reiser.
As the new trajectory of the station is set, it attempts to reenter Earth’s atmosphere. The film’s climax centers on the frantic attempt to disengage it and escape in time. The antagonists must be outsmarted to prevent mass destruction along with navigating a failing spacecraft and interpersonal conflicts that simmer within a group that, for the time being, is bound by the common goal.
Adkins Scott takes on the role of Reiser, the ruthless CIA operative emerging as the lead character in the cast. With a reputation as a martial artist, Adkins will infuse physicality into the role, even if his character is morally vague. Dr. Stone, the character that attempts to morally redeem the movie but fails spectacularly after setting things in motion, is played by Michelle Lehane. Bronagh Waugh cast Aaron McCusker as the pilot Bridges who transforms from apathetic and jaded into a bold teammate.
Vahidin Prelic features Argun, the principal antagonist among the prisoners. His cunning savage nature makes him a formidable opponent. Lukas Loughran plays Kingsley, the prison guard whose violence propels the film down its chaotic slope.
Themes and Concept
Incoming explores the ethics of imprisoning someone without trial, abuse of power, authority, and the use of technology in warfare, among others. The setting—a space station functioning as a black site prison—is a metaphor for secrecy, isolation, and unchecked power.
A vital concern for the film is the danger posed by institutions operating without international law. Abuses are likely to occur in the given environment, where no single nation holds dominion over the station. Reiser portrayed the archetype of the morally flexible government agent willing to expend lives and principles for the sake of national security. Dr. Stone, by contrast, embodies humanitarian principles and becomes the audience’s lens on the ethical questions surrounding the prison and its operations.
Another central theme is confinement—both physical and psychological. While the space station is a literal prison, it symbolizes a trap for all the characters on the station, including the protagonists, who are cut off from aid and forced to make untenable decisions.
Production and Style
Considering its budget, the film effectively utilizes narrow, dimly lit hallways and minimalist set design to create a functional, albeit suffocating, environment. Much of the film is set within the confined corridors of the space station, which contributes to the film’s claustrophobic tension.
The filmmakers do not apply zero-gravity effects, instead including a narrative justification for artificial gravity. While this explanation may leave some viewers dissatisfied, the reasoning behind such a decision is to maintain low production costs.
These are the moments when the film truly excels, especially in regards to the action sequences. Scott Adkins performs a series of choreographed fights, and the agility and skill he displays as a martial artist is impressive. Unfortunately, slower, dialogue-heavy scenes that separate these action sequences can become drawn out.
Although the visual effects incorporated for the external shots of the shuttle and space station are satisfactory for a low-budget film, they are not memorable. The repetition of the same corridors being used to depict larger spaces results in the interior design appearing monotonous.Reception
Critics and audiences received the film “Incoming” with primarily negative views. As with other critical works, the film’s premise has received particular attention. Many critics seemed to be in agreement that a top secret prison based on an International Space Station, that was staffed by only one guard, was an exceptionally implausible idea. Furthermore, very shallow character development, coupled with the absence of emotional stakes, created a sense of numbness… or at best… indifference for the film’s viewers.
Despite having received critical reviews, the film does possess a certain degree of popularity thanks to Scott Adkins and low-budget action films. It should be emphasized thatAdkin’s performance during the action sequences portrayed throughout the movie is considered his best work during the film and credit must be granted for that. In addition, although the pacing might be unbalanced, it does help move the story towards the climactic final battle.
Mixed responses were received regarding the moral ambiguity of Reiser’s character. While people who regarded him as a complex antihero seemed to be more in the majority, the other camp consisted of those who considered him poorly written and inconsistent. With the character of Dr. Stone, there was some criticism directed at her character due to her untrained severe lack of training and her simplistic choices which led to a number of critical attacks for undermining narrative realism.
Strengths and Weaknesses
Strengths:
Proficient use of claustrophobic environments to induce conflict
Numerous action sequences which demonstrate choreographic skill
Reiser, a conflicted anti-hero leads the film
Fast-paced plot with significant stakes
Weaknesses:
Pseudoscientific premise of the film with shallow characters
Lack of variety in color palettes for supporting visuals and scenery
Underdeveloped secondary characters
Slow motion in non-combat portions of the film
Conclusion
Incoming is a low-budget action-thriller featuring Scott Adkins, making the most out of the small setting by providing rapid battles and moments of tension. Though lower budget sci-fi flicks are often more polished and intricately designed, this movie serves hilarious and mindless entertainment for Adkins’ fans.
Adkins is focused on looking intimidating while wearing gray jumpsuits with other prisoners and pretending to engage in menial tasks with the rest of the cast, in lieu of earning their minimum wages. The result is a visual that does not break new cinematic ground, as there are copious amounts of poorly strung-together logic gaps and sketchy backgrounds of characters. All in all, the premise delivers unrelenting action and satisfies the needs of those who are looking for a budgeted thrills in a prison in space atmosphere.
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