Space can be a frightening place, which is why several filmmakers have chosen to set their horror movies in this environment, taking advantage of the fear it inspires. The space horror subgenre has offered many great thrills to fans of scary movies over the years, with films like the “Alien” franchise and lesser-known sci-fi thrillers like “Europa Report.” While the genre has also attracted some lower-quality films, such as “Jason X” and “Leprechaun 4: In Space,” it also includes well-known works like “Pitch Black” and “Event Horizon.”
However, there are several great space-themed horror films that have not received the recognition they deserve, despite their high quality. To highlight these unsung heroes of the space horror genre, we will explore five underappreciated gems that, for one reason or another, are no longer widely discussed. One such film is “Planet of the Vampires,” a 1965 space horror movie directed by Mario Bava. Although the title suggests a film about vampires, the villains are actually ethereal parasitic aliens that turn dead bodies into zombie-like creatures, which is equally horrifying. The movie follows two spaceships that crash on the mysterious planet Aura, where they are targeted by incorporeal aliens that possess the bodies of the dead and cause chaos.
What makes “Planet of the Vampires” so scary is its willingness to push the boundaries of horror, with a “anything can happen to anyone” mentality that makes it difficult for viewers to become attached to the characters. The film also features some unexpected twists, including a surprising final scene that has a significant impact on a planet familiar to the audience. With Bava’s skilled direction and beautiful visuals, “Planet of the Vampires” is not only a great 1960s horror movie but also a great space horror film that stands the test of time.
Another film that has fallen out of the international discussion of space horror greats is the 2020 Russian film “Sputnik.” Directed by Egor Abramenko, the movie begins in space but mostly takes place in a high-security facility on Earth. After two cosmonauts encounter something strange outside their spacecraft, it crashes back on Earth, and only one man, Konstantin Veshnyakov, survives. However, there is a problem: something is growing inside him. The film follows Dr. Tatyana Klimova as she tries to uncover the truth about the incident, and when the truth is finally revealed, “Sputnik” provides a twist on the alien monster theme that is particularly unsettling. Combining space horror, claustrophobic military facilities, and cynical government experiments, “Sputnik” tells a harrowing story that takes unexpected turns.
Alexandre Aja’s 2021 Netflix film “Oxygen” is not for the faint of heart, especially for those who are claustrophobic. The movie begins with a woman waking up inside a cryogenic pod with no memory of who she is or why she is there. The only company she has is an artificial intelligence that controls the unit, but she does not have full access to its functions. With her oxygen supply running out, she must find a way to escape before it’s too late. As the movie reveals its secrets slowly, the viewer discovers disturbing truths about what is really going on and who the woman is. Without giving away too many spoilers, it’s safe to say that by the time the ending arrives, the movie has pulled the rug from under the viewer multiple times.
All in all, it’s surprising that “Oxygen” is not more often mentioned in discussions of great and terrifying sci-fi movies. With its twisty, tense, and frightening plot, this French-language film delivers for fans of the genre. Another underappreciated gem is the 1987 horror anime “Lily C.A.T.,” which has been called one of the scariest horror anime ever made. The movie is essentially Ridley Scott’s “Alien” reimagined as a cosmic horror anime, with elements of John Carpenter’s “The Thing” thrown in. Instead of a slimy alien creature, the monster in “Lily C.A.T.” is a creepy robot cat that is even more unnerving than a Xenomorph.
Directed by Hisayuki Toriumi, “Lily C.A.T.” offers exactly what you would expect from an 1980s horror anime, embracing outlandish cosmic horror themes and mashing them together with its obvious inspirations. The result is a unique experience that needs to be seen to be believed. While opinions about “Lily C.A.T.” may depend on your stance on the anime medium, the film is worth watching for its strangeness, impressive monster design, and relentless barrage of nasty events. The movie makes for a viewing experience that is difficult to forget.
The 2018 film “Prospect” is another underappreciated gem that has fallen under the radar. Directed by Zeek Earl and Chris Caldwell, the movie follows a teenage prospector named Cee and her father, who are in conflict with a man named Ezra, played by Pedro Pascal. After a series of events, Ezra and Cee are forced to form an unlikely alliance to survive the harsh conditions of a moon filled with poison spores and hostile outside forces. With its survival horror elements, “Prospect” is an excellent showcase of Pascal’s and Sophie Thatcher’s work, and it’s interesting to see Pascal in a quasi-villain role. Although the movie’s box office performance was virtually nonexistent, it is still a great indie science fiction film that deserves more recognition.
