EVENT HORIZON (1997)

Film of the Day #173 - 31 Days of Halloween #9

EVENT HORIZON
1997 • Paul W. S. Anderson

Screenplay: Philip Eisner
Producer: Lawrence Gordon, Lloyd Levin, Jeremy Bolt
Cast: Laurence Fishburne, Sam Neill, Kathleen Quinlan, Joely Richardson, Richard T. Jones, Jack Noseworthy, Jason Isaacs
Cinematography: Adrian Biddle
Music: Michael Kamen

Paramount Pictures

Look, if what Doctor Weir tells us is true, this ship has been beyond the boundaries of our universe, of known scientific reality. Who knows where it's been, what it's seen. Or what it's brought back with it.

A rescue crew has been dispatched to answer the the distress call from the Event Horizon, a starship that disappeared into a black hole and has now mysteriously reappeared. But has it returned with someone, or something, on board? Paul W.S. Anderson takes audiences on a terrifying journey that pushes the boundaries of both science fiction and horror.

The year is 2047, and a rescue crew, led by Captain Miller (Laurence Fishburne), has been dispatched to answer a distress call from the lost starship Event Horizon. This spacecraft disappeared into a black hole seven years earlier, only to mysteriously reappear in a decaying orbit around Neptune. But as the crew of the Lewis and Clark boards the Event Horizon, it becomes chillingly apparent that something beyond comprehension has taken hold of the ship during its interstellar odyssey.

The crew, including Dr. Weir (Sam Neill), begins to uncover the horrors that unfolded during the ship's journey through the void. The vessel's gravity drive, a technology that allows faster-than-light travel, has opened a portal to a dimension of unspeakable evil. As the crew members confront their own darkest fears and memories, they are thrust into a nightmarish descent into madness and despair. The ship itself becomes a malevolent force, and the crew's fight for survival becomes a battle not only against the unknown but against their own inner demons.

A sci-fi movie. A horror movie. A haunted house movie on a spaceship. Event Horizon defies easy categorization. While it begins as a seemingly typical science fiction rescue mission, it quickly transforms into a horrifying journey into cosmic horror. The film takes inspiration from classics like Alien and Hellraiser but carves its own unique path into the annals of horror and science fiction.

Event Horizon is clearly Paul W.S. Anderson's best film, for which admittedly, it doesn’t have a lot of competition. While the director is known for lesser quality films like Resident Evil and Alien vs. Predator, he demonstrates an ability to masterfully blend elements of sci-fi and psychological terror into a gripping movie. The film relies just as much on its story and character development as it does on its special effects and bloody gore, which perhaps he should have done in his later works.

Sam Neill and Laurence Fishburne deliver exceptional performances that drive the film. Neill's portrayal of Dr. Weir, a man haunted by his own creation, is both sympathetic and disturbing. Fishburne's Captain Miller exudes strength and leadership in the face of unimaginable horrors.

The cinematography by Adrian Biddle is nothing short of excellent. The lighting creates an eerie atmosphere that permeates every frame, suffocating the viewer in a sense of dread and claustrophobia. The visuals are complemented by a haunting and atmospheric score by Michael Kamen that adds to the overall sense of unease.

Despite the cult following it has garnered among horror movie geeks and sci-fi fans, Event Horizon is too often overlooked by mainstream audiences. The film disturbed test audiences, and a re-edit was ordered by the studio. It’s a miracle it’s still as good as it is with the studio interference. It didn’t however win over any critics and did poorly at the box office. It's a film that deserves to be celebrated among the classics of its genre(s), a hidden gem that never fails to deliver the terror and suspense.

You know nothing. Hell is only a word. The reality is much, much worse.

Notable Awards & Accomplishments

• International Horror Guild Award Nominee: Best Movie
• Fangoria Chainsaw Award Nominee: Best Actor - Sam Neill

Streaming: Fubo, Paramount+, Showtime, DirecTV
Digital Rental/Purchase: Available at most digital retailers
Physical Media: Available on 4K, Blu-Ray and DVD