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Sci-fi thriller

5th Passenger (2018): Cast, Ratings & Plot

5th Passenger (2018) movie poster

5th Passenger is a 2018 sci-fi thriller directed by Scotty Baker, starring Doug Jones as Langdon, Marina Sirtis and Tim Russ. It runs 1 hour 29 minutes and was made on a reported $110 million budget. IMDb users rate it 7.0/10.

IMDb rating
7.0/10
Echo Score
70
budget
$110M
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5th Passenger (2018) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 29m (89 min)
Director
Scotty Baker
Genres
Sci-Fi , Thriller , Horror
Original language
English
Budget
$110M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is 5th Passenger About?

The premise of 5th Passenger without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

After a starship disaster, five survivors find themselves trapped in a small escape pod. Their struggle for survival takes a terrifying turn when they realize a deadly alien has infiltrated their refuge. They must now fight to protect themselves from the relentless invader determined to claim them as its next victims.

5th Passenger Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • malfunction
  • spaceship setting
  • spacecraft
  • asteroid
  • outer space
  • trapped in space
  • hibernation
  • spaceship
  • isolation
  • loneliness
  • android
  • 120 year voyage
+38 more
  • automation
  • robot
  • writer
  • spacewalk
  • basketball
  • male rear nudity
  • male nudity
  • jogging
  • space station
  • tether
  • suite
  • computer malfunction
  • basketball court
  • crying woman
  • crying man
  • argument
  • birthday cake
  • birthday
  • bartender
  • gravity
  • swimming pool
  • cryonics
  • stasis pod
  • containment
  • male bonding
  • cutting off one's beard
  • heat
  • computer
  • blood
  • shouting
  • sex scene
  • one word title
  • blonde woman
  • romantic dinner
  • spaceflight
  • organ failure
  • aerial camera shot
  • woman wears a spacesuit
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Cast & crew

5th Passenger Cast & Characters

Doug Jones leads the cast as Langdon, with Marina Sirtis as Alana and Tim Russ as Franklin. Directed by Scotty Baker; 14 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in 5th Passenger

· 10 more
Ratings

5th Passenger Reviews & Ratings

IMDb users rate 5th Passenger 7.0/10. Our Echo Score gives it 70/100, strongest in story & flow (75) and weakest in rewatch factor (60).

70 /100

5th Passenger Echo Score Breakdown

The film presents a mix of intriguing concepts and uneven execution. Many reviewers found the core premise engaging and praised its inventive setup, but several noted flaws in character writing and narrative resolution. Visual and production elements received consistent approval, though some felt editing and background exposition lacked clarity. While the pace maintains interest, the anti-climactic twist and occasional overreliance on exposition temper its impact. Overall, the result is a moderately satisfying experience.

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

  • Art & Craft 70

    In terms of art and craft, the production design and cinematography draw frequent praise for their effective use of limited resources. The special effects and CGI are noted as integrated rather than ostentatious, contributing to an eerie tone. However, some critics flagged uneven editing and questioned directorial choices that led to abrupt tonal shifts. Overall, the visual palette impresses within an indie context despite a few structural inconsistencies.

  • Character & Emotion 70

    When it comes to character and emotion, the ensemble earns commendation for transcending horror stereotypes through nuanced performances and credible chemistry. Observers highlighted strong portrayals by the core cast, even as secondary roles felt underdeveloped. Conversely, recurring commentary on weak character arcs and occasional overacting undercuts emotional investment. In summary, the film offers moments of genuine depth amid inconsistent character writing.

  • Story & Flow 75

    In terms of story and flow, the central premise of isolated survivors fosters suspense and thematic depth, with a clever framing device holding attention. Reviewers appreciated the brisk pacing and original twists, though background exposition was sometimes too vague. Criticism centers on an anti-climactic twist and lapses in plot coherence that may leave viewers puzzled. Ultimately, the narrative engages but fails to resolve key tensions fully.

  • Sensory Experience 75

    In terms of sensory experience, the score and sound design effectively establish an ominous atmosphere, while the visual style leverages a restrained color palette for tension. The integration of special effects is widely regarded as a highlight, enhancing immersion without overshadowing the story. On the downside, some observers found the soundtrack intrusive at times, occasionally competing with dialogue. Overall, the auditory and visual elements largely succeed despite minor distractions.

  • Rewatch Factor 60

    When considering rewatch factor, the film’s original premise and standout visual moments encourage repeat viewings for genre enthusiasts. Reviewers noted that the suspenseful setup and occasional moral dilemmas may reveal new insights upon a second viewing. Yet, inconsistent character development and unresolved plot points may diminish lasting appeal for some. In summary, the replay value is moderate, holding stronger interest for fans of indie sci-fi than for a wider audience.

Plot

5th Passenger Plot Summary

What happens in 5th Passenger from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

The starship Avalon, operated by the Homestead company, embarks on an incredible journey to transport over 5,000 colonists and 238 crew members to the planet Homestead II. This mission, aimed at ensuring humanity’s survival amid the Ecocide and collapse of Earth’s biosphere, will span an astonishing 120 years. All passengers and crew are placed in hibernation pods for the duration of the trip.

However, as the ship navigates a treacherous asteroid field, a catastrophic malfunction occurs due to a large piece of debris that breaches the ship’s energy shield. This unexpected event leads to the premature awakening of Jim Preston, a mechanical engineer played by Chris Pratt, who finds himself alone—a full 90 years before his scheduled awakening.

Full summary

The whole story of 5th Passenger, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Videos

5th Passenger Trailers & Videos

2 videos: 2 trailers.

Official Trailer
  • Trailer 5TH PASSENGER Trailer (2018) Space Movie
Quiz

How Well Do You Know 5th Passenger?

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 is the main purpose of the star-ship Avalon?

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FAQ

5th Passenger FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date

Runtime, release date, director, cast, budget, ratings and post-credit scenes of 5th Passenger, each answered in a sentence.

How long is 5th Passenger?

5th Passenger runs 1 hour 29 minutes (89 minutes).

When was 5th Passenger released?

5th Passenger was released on July 7, 2018.

Who directed 5th Passenger?

5th Passenger was directed by Scotty Baker.

Who is in the cast of 5th Passenger?

5th Passenger stars Doug Jones as Langdon, Marina Sirtis as Alana and Tim Russ as Franklin, among 14 credited actors.

What was the budget of 5th Passenger?

5th Passenger had a reported budget of $110 million.

How is 5th Passenger rated?

5th Passenger has 7.0/10 on IMDb, 43% on TMDB and 3.0/5 on Movie Insider.

Does 5th Passenger have a post-credit scene?

No. 5th Passenger has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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