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Action thriller

2036 Origin Unknown (2018): Cast, Ratings, Plot & Where to Watch

2036 Origin Unknown (2018) movie poster

2036 Origin Unknown is a 2018 action thriller directed by Hasraf Dulull, starring Katee Sackhoff as Mackenzie 'Mack' Wilson, Julie Cox and Steven Cree. It runs 1 hour 34 minutes. IMDb users rate it 4.3/10. Stream it on Amazon MX Player and Amazon Prime Video, or rent or buy it on Amazon Video and Apple TV Store.

IMDb rating
4.3/10
Echo Score
63
2036 Origin Unknown (2018) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 34m (94 min)
Director
Hasraf Dulull
Genres
Action , Sci-Fi , Thriller
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is 2036 Origin Unknown About?

The premise of 2036 Origin Unknown without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

A sinister secret lies hidden within the red sands of Mars. Mission Controller Mackenzie Wilson teams up with the advanced AI, A.R.T.I., to investigate the mystery discovered beneath the Martian surface. Facing an unknown threat, they must work together to protect Earth from potential consequences and safeguard humanity's future.

2036 Origin Unknown Themes & Keywords

· 25 tags
  • trapped in space
  • artificial intelligence
  • year 2030
  • earth from space
  • booster separation
  • mars landing
  • space station
  • spaceship crash
  • spinning cube
  • dust storm
  • mars rover
  • herbert george wells quotation
+13 more
  • self assembling nano technology
  • antarctica
  • floor hatch
  • hit by a computer
  • killed by a computer
  • predator drone
  • orbiting nuclear launch platform
  • space to surface missile
  • close up of eye
  • annihilation
  • mars the planet
  • outer space
  • 2030s
Where to watch

Where to Watch 2036 Origin Unknown

Stream it on Amazon MX Player and Amazon Prime Video, or rent or buy it from Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. US availability and prices from JustWatch.

Streaming availability in the US, powered by JustWatch logo

Cast & crew

2036 Origin Unknown Cast & Characters

Katee Sackhoff leads the cast as Mackenzie 'Mack' Wilson, with Julie Cox as Lena Wilson and Steven Cree as ARTi. Directed by Hasraf Dulull; 9 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in 2036 Origin Unknown

· 5 more
Ratings

2036 Origin Unknown Reviews & Ratings

IMDb users rate 2036 Origin Unknown 4.3/10. Our Echo Score gives it 63/100, strongest in character & emotion (80) and weakest in rewatch factor (40).

63 /100

2036 Origin Unknown Echo Score Breakdown

2036 Origin Unknown delivers professional technical execution and a compelling lead performance, but its narrative ambition sometimes exceeds its coherence. Critics noted solid direction and above-average visual presentation, while audiences broadly praised Katee Sackhoff’s portrayal as vivid and engaging. However, many reviews criticized the film’s depth, pacing, and resolution of its core concepts. The resulting experience is an uneven yet occasionally compelling science-fiction entry that may appeal primarily to dedicated genre viewers.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 75

    In terms of direction and cinematography, 2036 Origin Unknown maintains a professional consistency. Reviews highlight polished editing and cohesive production design that support the film’s atmospheric tone. Although the visual approach lacks distinctive flair, the camera work and scene composition remain solid throughout. Overall, the technical craft enhances the viewing experience despite modest stylistic ambition.

  • Character & Emotion 80

    When it comes to character depth and acting, Katee Sackhoff’s performance as Mack emerges as the film’s strongest element. Critics and fans alike commend her nuanced portrayal and emotional resonance, which anchor the narrative. Some secondary performances draw criticism for uneven gravitas, but the central lead consistently delivers focus and energy. As a result, the character work provides a reliable emotional core.

  • Story & Flow 55

    In terms of plot coherence and originality, the film’s ambition outstrips its execution. Many viewers cite intriguing conceptual premises but note that key ideas remain underexplored and the narrative occasionally becomes convoluted. Critiques focus on uneven pacing and an ending that resolves few threads clearly. Overall, the story offers moments of engagement but suffers from a lack of depth and clarity.

  • Sensory Experience 65

    In terms of visual style and sound design, the film delivers a competent yet unobtrusive sensory backdrop. Several reviews highlight engaging graphics and a cohesive color palette that suit its philosophical tone. The soundtrack and ambient effects support scenes appropriately, though neither element stands out as particularly distinctive. Overall, the sensory design reinforces the film’s atmosphere without drawing focus from other components.

  • Rewatch Factor 40

    When it comes to replay value and lasting appeal, the film elicits a mixed response. A few viewers find the conceptual questions thought-provoking enough to revisit, yet many reports of confusion and unresolved plot points limit broader rewatch interest. The uneven narrative clarity weighs against sustained enjoyment on subsequent viewings. Ultimately, the film’s rewatch factor remains modest and likely appeals mainly to dedicated genre enthusiasts.

Plot

2036 Origin Unknown Plot Summary

What happens in 2036 Origin Unknown from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

In the year 2030, a manned mission to Mars takes a shocking turn when a shuttle vanishes without a trace. Fast forward six years, and Mackenzie Wilson [Katee Sackhoff] finds herself working under the oversight of an artificial intelligence named ARTI [Steven Cree]. As part of her duties with the United Space Planetary Corporation, she is tasked with landing a rover affectionately known as “Little Red” on the Martian surface. Despite her professional role, Mackenzie remains skeptical of ARTI’s capabilities, while her sister Lena [Julie Cox] believes that the AI will succeed where humans have faltered.

Full summary

The whole story of 2036 Origin Unknown, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Videos

2036 Origin Unknown Trailers & Videos

The trailer of 2036 Origin Unknown.

2036 Origin Unknown | Katee Sackhoff | Trailer
Quiz

How Well Do You Know 2036 Origin Unknown?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What year does the Martian expedition go dark?

Details

2036 Origin Unknown Also Known As

19 alternative titles, including “0R1G1N UNKN0WN” and “Origine Inconnue”.

Also known as
  • 0R1G1N UNKN0WN
  • Origine Inconnue
  • 2036 오리진 언노운
  • 2036未知來源
  • 2036 Kökeni Bilinmeyen
  • 2036 Origen desconocido
  • 2036 Произход неизвестен
  • 2036 Origine inconnue
  • 2036, происхождение неизвестно
  • 2036 Origem Desconhecida
  • 마션 인베이션
  • מקור לא ידוע
+7 more
  • 2036 Původ neznámý
  • 2036: Származás ismeretlen
  • 2036来历不明
  • 2036: Nežinoma kilmė
  • 2036: Nieznany obiekt
  • クリムゾン・プラネット
  • 2036 Pôvod neznámy

Seen 2036 Origin Unknown?

FAQ

2036 Origin Unknown FAQ: Where to Watch, Cast & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, where to watch, ratings and post-credit scenes of 2036 Origin Unknown, each answered in a sentence.

How long is 2036 Origin Unknown?

2036 Origin Unknown runs 1 hour 34 minutes (94 minutes).

When was 2036 Origin Unknown released?

2036 Origin Unknown was released on June 8, 2018.

Who directed 2036 Origin Unknown?

2036 Origin Unknown was directed by Hasraf Dulull.

More films by Hasraf Dulull

Who is in the cast of 2036 Origin Unknown?

2036 Origin Unknown stars Katee Sackhoff as Mackenzie 'Mack' Wilson, Julie Cox as Lena Wilson and Steven Cree as ARTi, among 9 credited actors.

Where can I watch 2036 Origin Unknown?

In the US, 2036 Origin Unknown is streaming on Amazon MX Player, Amazon Prime Video and Fandango at Home Free and available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home (availability from JustWatch).

How is 2036 Origin Unknown rated?

2036 Origin Unknown has 4.3/10 on IMDb, 47% on TMDB and 2.1/5 on Letterboxd.

Does 2036 Origin Unknown have a post-credit scene?

No. 2036 Origin Unknown has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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