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Sci-fi horror film

Sputnik (2020): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Sputnik (2020) movie poster

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.

IMDb rating
6.4/10
Rotten Tomatoes
87%
worldwide gross
$354K
award nomination
1
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Sputnik (2020) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 47m (107 min)
Director
Egor Abramenko
Genres
Sci-Fi , Horror
Original language
Russian
Budget
$190M
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

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
  • 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
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Cast & crew

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.

Also Starring in Sputnik

· 2 more
Ratings

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).

68 /100

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.

Plot

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

Read the full summary
Box office

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.

2020 box office

Worldwide gross

$354K

US & Canada
$18.9K
International
$335.2K
Budget
$190M
US & Canada 5% Rest of the world 95%
Awards

Sputnik Awards & Nominations

Sputnik earned 1 award nomination, including Best International Film Release at the Saturn Awards 2021.

1 nomination1 ceremony

Videos

Sputnik Trailers & Videos

2 videos: 2 trailers.

SPUTNIK Trailer HD. With English subtitles.
  • Trailer Sputnik - Official Trailer | HD | IFC Midnight
Quiz

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

  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 unexpected event occurs during the re-entry of the Orbita-4 spacecraft?

Cars

Cars in Sputnik

6 cars on screen, including the 1986 UAZ 31512 and the 1981 GAZ 24 Volga.

All 6 cars
  • 1986 UAZ 31512 in Sputnik 1986 UAZ 31512 Important role
  • 1981 GAZ 24 Volga in Sputnik 1981 GAZ 24 Volga Minor role
  • 1981 LAZ 699 R in Sputnik 1981 LAZ 699 R Minor role
  • ZiL 131 in Sputnik ZiL 131 Minor role
Details

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
  • 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?

FAQ

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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