I.S.S. (2024): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending
I.S.S. is a 2024 sci-fi thriller directed by Gabriela Cowperthwaite, starring Ariana DeBose as Dr. Kira Foster, John Gallagher Jr. and Chris Messina. It runs 1 hour 35 minutes and earned $6.6 million worldwide on a $20 million budget. Critics gave it 61% on Rotten Tomatoes and 53 on Metacritic.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 35m (95 min)
- Director
- Gabriela Cowperthwaite
- Original language
-
English
- Studio
- LD Entertainment
- Budget
- $20M
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is I.S.S. About?
The premise of I.S.S. without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.
When global chaos erupts on Earth, the astronauts aboard the International Space Station receive a disturbing order: seize control of the station by any means necessary. This directive plunges them into a desperate fight for survival as they grapple with the implications of a rapidly deteriorating situation and the potential for a deadly conflict amongst themselves.
I.S.S. Themes & Keywords
· 30 tags- astronaut
- international space station
- space station
- space sci fi
- trapped in space
- psychological thriller
- f rated
- female protagonist
- russian
- united states of america
- mouse
- doctor
+18 more Show fewer
- mice
- kiss
- antenna
- space
- cut the red wire or blue wire
- knife
- sandwiches
- mayo
- stabbing
- blood
- murder
- stabbed in the hand
- stabbed in the neck
- choked
- violence
- world
- title directed by female
- outer space
I.S.S. Cast & Characters
Ariana DeBose leads the cast as Dr. Kira Foster, with John Gallagher Jr. as Christian Campbell and Chris Messina as Gordon Barrett. Directed by Gabriela Cowperthwaite; 6 actors are credited in all.
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Director Gabriela Cowperthwaite
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Ariana DeBose as Dr. Kira Foster -
John Gallagher Jr. as Christian Campbell -
Chris Messina as Gordon Barrett -
Pilou Asbæk as Alexey Pulov
Also Starring in I.S.S.
· 2 more- Masha Mashkova Weronika Vetrov
- Costa Ronin Nicholai Pulov
More from Gabriela Cowperthwaite
More films directed by Gabriela Cowperthwaite, best-rated first: Blackfish, Our Friend, Megan Leavey and The Grab.
I.S.S. Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave I.S.S. 61% on Rotten Tomatoes and 53 on Metacritic. Our Echo Score gives it 47/100, strongest in art & craft (55) and weakest in rewatch factor (35).
I.S.S. Echo Score Breakdown
I.S.S. is a mixed outing that offers moments of immersive tension but is ultimately constrained by an underdeveloped narrative and uneven execution. The film’s claustrophobic setting and occasional jolting sequences draw interest, and the performances provide intermittent engagement. However, the plot’s plausibility issues and pacing inconsistencies limit its overall impact. On balance, the movie remains a modest experience with some striking visual touches but lacks the narrative cohesion to leave a lasting impression.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 55
Art & Craft displays a moderate balance of strengths and weaknesses. The production design and zero-gravity visuals effectively convey claustrophobic immersion, while the framing of tight spaces accentuates tension. However, direction sometimes feels unsettled, and editing choices truncate key moments. The special effects, though serviceable, stop short of delivering the spectacle expected in a sci-fi thriller, yielding a competent but uneven craft.
- Character & Emotion 50
Character & Emotion benefits from engaging performances but suffers from limited depth. Ariana DeBose and the ensemble deliver credible reactions and maintain on-point chemistry in critical scenes. Yet the screenplay provides insufficient time to explore individual motivations, leaving emotional arcs feeling abrupt. The result is a cast that shines in isolated moments but lacks the layered development needed for sustained resonance.
- Story & Flow 45
Story & Flow is hindered by contrivance and pacing irregularities. The narrative premise hinges on sudden paranoia among professional astronauts that many viewers found implausible. Plotlines and subplots are compressed, preventing adequate development and engagement. Tense sequences alternate with extended, discussion-driven stretches, and familiar thriller tropes dilute originality. Overall, the film struggles to maintain coherent momentum and narrative credibility.
- Sensory Experience 50
Sensory Experience offers a mix of atmospheric high points and modest technical execution. The depiction of floating blood bubbles in zero gravity delivers a memorable visual. Sound design effectively underscores the weightless environment, although the musical score remains understated. Visual cohesion through confined framing reinforces tension, yet overall special effects lack the polish expected for a space thriller. The sensory elements are competent but not consistently striking.
- Rewatch Factor 35
Rewatch Factor is limited due to the film’s modest lasting appeal. Initial immersion in the space station environment and its tense moments provides a single viewing’s interest. However, narrative gaps and uneven thrills leave little new discovery on subsequent viewings. With character motivations and plot revelations remaining largely superficial, audiences have minimal incentive to return for a repeat experience.
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Rotten Tomatoes 61% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 43%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 53 Metascore
User score 4.9
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 57% User score
See on TMDB
I.S.S. Plot Summary & Ending Explained
What happens in I.S.S. from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 7-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
As we embark on an extraordinary journey through the cosmos, we witness the importance of international cooperation through a series of title cards informing us of the origins of the International Space Station (I.S.S.). Born from the remnants of the Cold War, this remarkable feat of engineering symbolizes the collaboration between two erstwhile rivals: the United States and Russia. Designed as a hub for groundbreaking research, the I.S.S. is a testament to the heights humanity can achieve when it works together for the greater good. For those daring enough to travel to this celestial haven, the trusted Soyuz rocket serves as their vehicle.
Full summary
The whole story of I.S.S., scene by scene, with the ending explained
I.S.S. Box Office & Budget
I.S.S. grossed $6.6 million worldwide on a $20 million budget, 33% of what it cost. $6.6 million came from the US and Canada and $31,280 (0%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$6.6M
33% of its budget back
- US & Canada
- $6.6M
- International
- $31.3K
- Budget
- $20M
I.S.S. Trailers & Videos
6 videos: 1 trailer, 4 teasers and 1 featurette.
- Teaser :15 Survival
- Teaser :15 Hide
- Teaser :30 Salvation
- Teaser :30 Cutdown
How Well Do You Know I.S.S.?
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
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
What serves as the primary mode of transportation for astronauts heading to the I.S.S.?
Seen I.S.S.?
Movies Like I.S.S.
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Incoming, Project Ithaca and Stranded.
I.S.S. FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of I.S.S., each answered in a sentence.
How long is I.S.S.?
I.S.S. runs 1 hour 35 minutes (95 minutes).
When was I.S.S. released?
I.S.S. was released on January 19, 2024.
Who directed I.S.S.?
I.S.S. was directed by Gabriela Cowperthwaite.
More films by Gabriela Cowperthwaite Who is in the cast of I.S.S.?
I.S.S. stars Ariana DeBose as Dr. Kira Foster, John Gallagher Jr. as Christian Campbell and Chris Messina as Gordon Barrett, among 6 credited actors.
How much did I.S.S. make at the box office?
I.S.S. grossed $6.6 million worldwide ($6.6 million domestic, $31,280 international) on a budget of $20 million.
How is I.S.S. rated?
I.S.S. has 61% on Rotten Tomatoes, 53 on Metacritic and 57% on TMDB.
Does I.S.S. have a post-credit scene?
No. I.S.S. has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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