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This Russian sci-fi horror symbol strongly advises that whatever you locate in the area will remain there.
By Glenn Kenny
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This terrifying Russian sci-fi horror symbol does not take its name from the famous satellite introduced in the Soviet Union in 1957. Rather, it invokes the word literal, which translates into English as “partner”.
The sole survivor, Konstantin (Pyotr Fyodorov) is sequestered at a remote facility overseen by a quietly authoritarian commander, Semiradov (Fedor Bondarchuk). An unorthodox neuropsychologist, Tatyana (Oksana Akinshina), is summoned to give a diagnosis of the seemingly amnesiac astronaut’s condition. Earlier attempts by another scientist have proved futile and frustrating. But “Sputnik” isn’t set in a declining Soviet Union just to break out spiffy retro designs; the crumbling totalitarian edifice is central to the movie’s theme.
We were soon informed of the biggest problem: Konstantin stopped by the house alone. Hence the title. The less revealed in your sticky, slippery companion, the better. Suffice it to say that the creature lives literally in fear.
The film swaps some pretty familiar tropes. Anyone who knows, say, the Alien franchise would be expecting at least one member of the small army and clinical team examining the stage to need to put it together.
Although “Sputnik” doesn’t take its really extensive loans from completely new sci-fi images, it does enough to deliver a truly frightening and satisfying experience.
Sputnik Unscored. In Russian, subtitled. Running time: 1 hour 53 minutes. Rent or shop on Google Play, iTunes and streaming platforms and pay TV operators.
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