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Sci-fi thriller

Project Ithaca (2019): Cast, Ratings, Plot & Where to Watch

Project Ithaca (2019) movie poster

Project Ithaca is a 2019 sci-fi thriller directed by Nicholas Humphries, starring Deragh Campbell as Sera, James Gallanders and Alex Woods. It runs 1 hour 25 minutes and was made on a reported $5 million budget. IMDb users rate it 4.1/10. Stream it on Howdy and MovieSphere+, or rent or buy it on Amazon Video and Apple TV Store.

IMDb rating
4.1/10
Echo Score
52
budget
$5M
Project Ithaca (2019) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 25m (85 min)
Genres
Sci-Fi , Thriller
Original language
English
Budget
$5M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Project Ithaca About?

The premise of Project Ithaca without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

Five strangers find themselves imprisoned aboard an alien spacecraft where they discover a terrifying purpose: the vessel harvests humanity's fear as a power source. As they struggle to understand their captivity, they uncover a dark secret about decades – perhaps centuries – of human abductions. Facing their worst nightmares, the captives must find a way to survive and confront the sinister forces controlling them.

Project Ithaca Themes & Keywords

· 18 tags
  • alien
  • trapped in space
  • man with a beard
  • prostitute
  • drug
  • all in one room
  • flashback
  • alien invasion
  • open ending
  • african american woman
  • roswell
  • dark
+6 more
  • high school teacher
  • african american teacher
  • female teacher
  • african american female protagonist
  • speaking french
  • space vampire
Where to watch

Where to Watch Project Ithaca

Stream it on Howdy and MovieSphere+, 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

Project Ithaca Cast & Characters

Deragh Campbell leads the cast as Sera, with James Gallanders as John Brighton and Alex Woods as Zack Chase. Directed by Nicholas Humphries; 13 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Project Ithaca

· 9 more
Ratings

Project Ithaca Reviews & Ratings

IMDb users rate Project Ithaca 4.1/10. Our Echo Score gives it 52/100, strongest in sensory experience (70) and weakest in rewatch factor (40).

52 /100

Project Ithaca Echo Score Breakdown

Project Ithaca exhibits a blend of atmospheric craftsmanship and narrative unevenness. While many reviewers commended Nicholas Humphries’s direction and the film’s claustrophobic visual tone, others criticized its reliance on genre clichés and convoluted plot developments. Acting performances drew occasional praise but suffered from limited character depth and abrupt shifts. Audience reactions varied from appreciation of its compact intensity to frustration over ambiguous endings. On balance, the film presents a mixed experience with isolated strengths in style but notable weaknesses in storytelling cohesion.

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

  • Art & Craft 60

    In terms of art and craft, the film delivers a pronounced atmospheric design under constrained resources. Direction is frequently noted for its dark, claustrophobic framing and measured pacing. Production design and visual effects demonstrate budget limitations but achieve occasional impact. Overall, the technical elements are uneven yet carry a distinct stylistic identity.

  • Character & Emotion 50

    When it comes to character and emotion, performances receive mixed responses. Some praise is directed at solid acting in confined scenarios, yet many observers cite insufficient development and abrupt personality shifts. Emotional resonance is undermined by unclear motivations and a lack of depth in central relationships. Consequently, the character work feels uneven overall.

  • Story & Flow 55

    In terms of story and flow, the narrative yields a mixture of originality and structural shortcomings. The film’s opening intrigues with a novel premise and focused intensity, but frequent reliance on genre clichés and dropped subplots undermines coherence. Pacing alternates unevenly between suspense and stagnation, culminating in an ambiguous ending. The overall plot progression remains erratic.

  • Sensory Experience 70

    When considering sensory experience, the film establishes an oppressive atmosphere through sound design and visual tone. Score and effects reflect budget constraints but still offer moments of tension. Some viewers found the soundtrack effective in heightening dread, while others noted that special effects occasionally appear unrefined. Overall, the sensory elements contribute unevenly to the immersion.

  • Rewatch Factor 40

    Regarding rewatch factor, the film’s uneven narrative cohesion and unresolved ambiguities diminish its replay appeal. Although the compact runtime and moments of atmospheric intensity offer brief engagement, persistent pacing issues and abrupt character dynamics limit sustained interest. Consequently, few viewers express a desire to revisit the film regularly, reducing its long-term appeal.

Plot

Project Ithaca Plot Summary

What happens in Project Ithaca from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 13 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

The film kicks off in a secretive government laboratory overseen by the U.S. War Department, where we meet a mysterious young girl named Sera. She possesses extraordinary telepathic abilities that allow her to engage with alien technology retrieved from the infamous Roswell UFO incident. As she types her experiences on a computer monitor, it becomes evident that her interactions with the alien device are taking a toll on her health. In a moment of urgency, a dedicated researcher named John Brighton steps in to rescue her from impending doom.

Full summary

The whole story of Project Ithaca, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Videos

Project Ithaca Trailers & Videos

The trailer of Project Ithaca.

Project Ithaca Official Trailer (2019)
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Project Ithaca?

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 Sera's primary ability gained from the alien technology?

Cars

Cars in Project Ithaca

35 cars on screen, including the 2006 Dodge Charger and the 1993 Nissan Truck.

All 35 cars
  • 2006 Dodge Charger in Project Ithaca 2006 Dodge Charger Main role
  • 1993 Nissan Truck in Project Ithaca 1993 Nissan Truck Main role
  • 2013 Ford Police Interceptor Utility in Project Ithaca 2013 Ford Police Interceptor Utility Important role
  • 2008 Kawasaki Ninja 250 R in Project Ithaca 2008 Kawasaki Ninja 250 R Important role

Seen Project Ithaca?

FAQ

Project Ithaca FAQ: Where to Watch, Cast & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, where to watch, budget, ratings and post-credit scenes of Project Ithaca, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Project Ithaca?

Project Ithaca runs 1 hour 25 minutes (85 minutes).

When was Project Ithaca released?

Project Ithaca was released on June 7, 2019.

Who directed Project Ithaca?

Project Ithaca was directed by Nicholas Humphries.

More films by Nicholas Humphries

Who is in the cast of Project Ithaca?

Project Ithaca stars Deragh Campbell as Sera, James Gallanders as John Brighton and Alex Woods as Zack Chase, among 13 credited actors.

Where can I watch Project Ithaca?

In the US, Project Ithaca is streaming on Howdy, MovieSphere+ and Tubi TV and available to rent or buy on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store and Fandango At Home (availability from JustWatch).

What was the budget of Project Ithaca?

Project Ithaca had a reported budget of $5 million.

How is Project Ithaca rated?

Project Ithaca has 4.1/10 on IMDb, 58% on TMDB and 3.1/5 on Movie Insider.

Does Project Ithaca have a post-credit scene?

No. Project Ithaca has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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