Sputnik (2020): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot
Sputnik is a 2020 sci-fi horror film directed by Egor Abramenko, starring Pyotr Fyodorov as Konstantin Veshnyakov, Oksana Akinshina and Anton Vasilev. It runs 1 hour 47 minutes and earned $354,023 worldwide on a $190 million budget. It earned 1 award nomination, including Best International Film Release at the Saturn Awards 2021. Critics gave it 87% on Rotten Tomatoes and 61 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.4/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 47m (107 min)
- Director
- Egor Abramenko
- Original language
-
Russian
- Studio
- IFC Midnight
- Budget
- $190M
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Sputnik About?
The premise of Sputnik without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
Following a disastrous space mission, a cosmonaut returns to Earth with a strange and alarming condition. A determined doctor, seeking redemption, is enlisted by the military to assess the situation. She soon discovers that a sinister presence has taken hold of the cosmonaut, manifesting in terrifying ways during the night. As she investigates, she must battle not only the otherworldly threat but also her own past mistakes to prevent a catastrophic outcome.
Sputnik Themes & Keywords
· 50 tags- monster
- scientist
- creature
- military
- 1980s
- spaceship
- female protagonist
- gore
- suicide
- year 1983
- alien
- monster horror
+38 more Show fewer
- astronaut
- amnesia
- alien monster
- soviet astronaut
- human body as an alien host
- alien parasite
- spacecraft accident
- extraterrestrial creature
- extraterrestrial monster
- alien life form
- soviet union
- 20th century
- alien creature
- military base
- alien on earth
- vomiting blood
- security camera
- questioning
- uv light
- bile
- accusation
- television set
- adolescence
- toy
- studying
- risky
- bite
- wound
- rapid growth
- security footage
- decapitation
- vomiting
- injection
- escape
- gunshot wound
- shedding skin
- blood splatter
- crying woman
Sputnik Cast & Characters
Pyotr Fyodorov leads the cast as Konstantin Veshnyakov, with Oksana Akinshina as Tatyana Klimova and Anton Vasilev as Yan Rigel. Directed by Egor Abramenko; 6 actors are credited in all.
- Director Egor Abramenko
- Pyotr Fyodorov as Konstantin Veshnyakov
- Oksana Akinshina as Tatyana Klimova
- Anton Vasilev as Yan Rigel
- Anna Nazarova as Nurse
Also Starring in Sputnik
· 2 more- Albrecht Zander Convict Seryj
- Vasiliy Zotov Biologist
Sputnik Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave Sputnik 87% on Rotten Tomatoes and 61 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 6.4/10. Our Echo Score gives it 68/100, strongest in art & craft (75) and weakest in rewatch factor (60).
Sputnik Echo Score Breakdown
In its combination of retro aesthetic and sustained suspense, Sputnik delivers a respectable genre piece. The direction and visual design earn praise for their polished execution, while the soundscape and effects provide an immersive atmosphere despite occasional overbearing score moments. Character work receives mixed feedback, with strong performances tempered by limited emotional depth, and the plot wavers between engaging and contrived sequences. Ultimately, this film offers enjoyable thrills with uneven narrative and moderate replay value.
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 art and craft, Sputnik showcases meticulous production design and a well-defined retro-futurist style. The cinematography benefits from tight framing and measured compositions, and the direction maintains visual coherence throughout. Editing choices support dramatic build-up, although some transitions feel abrupt. Overall, the film’s visual execution is polished with occasional inconsistencies.
- Character & Emotion 65
When it comes to character and emotion, Sputnik offers committed performances that convey a distinct tonal weight. The lead portrayal anchors key interactions, yet the script provides limited opportunities for deeper emotional resonance or chemistry. Supporting roles maintain credibility but sometimes lack development. In sum, the film’s character work delivers competent portrayals but falls short of sustained depth.
- Story & Flow 60
In terms of story and flow, Sputnik presents a conceptually engaging premise with measured pacing in its opening act. Tension accumulates through chamber-drama sequences, but narrative momentum falters as the plot shifts to familiar horror tropes. Some thematic elements feel underexplored, and the finale divides reception. Overall, the film combines intriguing ideas with uneven execution in its narrative arc.
- Sensory Experience 75
When assessing the sensory experience, the film’s sound design and score create a tense backdrop, though the music occasionally overwhelms the mix. Visual effects range from understated creature glimpses to more elaborate sequences that accentuate suspense. The soundtrack and ambient textures support atmosphere effectively. Ultimately, the sensory elements enhance immersion while exhibiting sporadic imbalance in audio levels.
- Rewatch Factor 60
Regarding rewatch factor, Sputnik’s brisk opening and stylistic strengths encourage repeat viewing for genre enthusiasts. The suspenseful setup and visual motifs offer points of rediscovery, yet the uneven narrative resolution and limited character development reduce long-term appeal. While certain sequences retain their impact, the film’s structural inconsistencies may discourage multiple viewings. Overall, the rewatch value is moderate.
-
IMDb 6.4 /10
See on IMDb -
Rotten Tomatoes 87% Tomatometer
Popcornmeter 73%
See on Rotten Tomatoes -
Metacritic 61 Metascore
User score 6.3
See on Metacritic -
TMDB 65% User score
See on TMDB -
Letterboxd 3.2 /5
20 ratings
See on Letterboxd -
Movie Insider 3.0 /5
See on Movie Insider
Sputnik Plot Summary
What happens in Sputnik from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 4-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
As the Orbita-4 spacecraft races back towards Soviet Kazakhstan, cosmonauts Konstantin Veshnyakov and Kirill Averchenko find themselves on the brink of re-entry. However, their atmospheric descent becomes chaotic when an uninvited presence infiltrates their shuttle. Initially anxious, the situation rapidly spirals into horror when Averchenko’s lifeless body is uncovered, his skull brutally shattered. At the same time, Konstantin lies still, his eyes transforming into dark voids.
Full summary
The whole story of Sputnik, scene by scene
Sputnik Box Office & Budget
Sputnik grossed $354,023 worldwide on a $190 million budget. $18,853 came from the US and Canada and $335,170 (95%) from the rest of the world.
Worldwide gross
$354K
- US & Canada
- $18.9K
- International
- $335.2K
- Budget
- $190M
Sputnik Awards & Nominations
Sputnik earned 1 award nomination, including Best International Film Release at the Saturn Awards 2021.
1 nomination1 ceremony
-
Saturn Awards 2021 1 nomination- Nominated Best International Film Release
Sputnik Trailers & Videos
2 videos: 2 trailers.
- Trailer Sputnik - Official Trailer | HD | IFC Midnight
How Well Do You Know Sputnik?
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 unexpected event occurs during the re-entry of the Orbita-4 spacecraft?
Cars in Sputnik
6 cars on screen, including the 1986 UAZ 31512 and the 1981 GAZ 24 Volga.
-
1986 UAZ 31512 Important role -
1981 GAZ 24 Volga Minor role -
1981 LAZ 699 R Minor role -
ZiL 131 Minor role
Sputnik Also Known As
23 alternative titles, including “Пассажир” and “人造卫星”.
- Also known as
-
- Пассажир
- 人造卫星
- 卫星
- 스푸트니크
- Sputnik: extraño pasajero
- Sputnik, espèce inconnue
- Sputnik - Es wächst in dir
- スプートニク:2020
- 寄生異形
- 寄生异形
- 스푸트닉
- Sputnik : Espèce inconnue
+11 more Show fewer
- Estranho Passageiro: Sputnik
- ספוטניק
- 外星異種
- Σπούτνικ
- Palydovas
- Szputnyik
- Sputnik: Es wächst in dir
- Quái Vật Săn Đêm
- Супутник
- Pavadonis
- スプートニク
Seen Sputnik?
Movies Like Sputnik
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Monster a Go-Go!, War of the Satellites and It! The Terror from Beyond Space.
Sputnik FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, awards and post-credit scenes of Sputnik, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Sputnik?
Sputnik runs 1 hour 47 minutes (107 minutes).
When was Sputnik released?
Sputnik was released on August 14, 2020.
Who directed Sputnik?
Sputnik was directed by Egor Abramenko.
Who is in the cast of Sputnik?
Sputnik stars Pyotr Fyodorov as Konstantin Veshnyakov, Oksana Akinshina as Tatyana Klimova and Anton Vasilev as Yan Rigel, among 6 credited actors.
How much did Sputnik make at the box office?
Sputnik grossed $354,023 worldwide ($18,853 domestic, $335,170 international) on a budget of $190 million.
How is Sputnik rated?
Sputnik has 6.4/10 on IMDb, 87% on Rotten Tomatoes, 61 on Metacritic and 65% on TMDB.
Was Sputnik nominated for any awards?
Sputnik received 1 nomination across 1 ceremony.
Does Sputnik have a post-credit scene?
No. Sputnik has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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