Slingshot

"Some fears are darker than space."

2024 1h 49m EN

😐

6.1

MID

🥫

38%

ROTTEN

😬

METACRITIC

⭐

5.7

IMDB

★6.1TMDB · 278🥫38%Rotten Tomatoes●52Metacritic★5.7IMDB · 11,861

Science FictionThriller

Synopsis

Spoiler shield

An elite trio of astronauts aboard a years-long, possibly compromised mission to Saturn's moon, Titan, gears up for a highly dangerous slingshot manoeuvre that will either catapult them to Titan or into deep space.

“Some fears are darker than space.”

WhatsApp X Facebook Telegram

Where to watch · US

HuluSubscription

Amazon VideoRent

Apple TV StoreRent

Google Play MoviesRent

YouTubeRent

Fandango At HomeRent

Spectrum On DemandRent

Amazon VideoBuy

Apple TV StoreBuy

Google Play MoviesBuy

YouTubeBuy

Fandango At HomeBuy

Cast

Casey Affleck
John
Laurence Fishburne
Captain Franks
Emily Beecham
Zoe Morgan
Tomer Capone
Nash
David Morrissey
Sam Napier
Charlotta Lövgren
Gale
Mark Ebulue
Gordon
Nikolett Barabas
Voice of the Ship (voice)

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Mikael Håfström
Writers: Nathan Parker, R. Scott Adams, R. Scott Adams
Languages: English
Countries: Hungary, United States of America

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 8

ERA

Did you know

Released 2 years ago.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 8

WORLD

Did you know

International production across 2 countries: Hungary, United States of America.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Directed by Mikael Håfström, shot by Pär M. Ekberg. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Original score by Steffen Thum. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Editor Rickard Krantz shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 8

CAST

Did you know

Casey Affleck and Laurence Fishburne and Emily Beecham carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 8

FACT

Did you know

Marketing tagline: "Some fears are darker than space.".

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

8 / 8

WILD

Did you know

IMDB entry: tt12616480 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

MoodPlayr · trivia#08

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Mikael Håfström directs. Pär M. Ekberg behind the camera. Steffen Thum scores. Rickard Krantz cuts. Produced in Hungary, United States of America. Dialogue in English.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

1Released 2 years ago.
2International production across 2 countries: Hungary, United States of America.
3Directed by Mikael Håfström, shot by Pär M. Ekberg. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
4Original score by Steffen Thum. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
5Editor Rickard Krantz shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
6Casey Affleck and Laurence Fishburne and Emily Beecham carry the top of the cast.
7Marketing tagline: "Some fears are darker than space.".
8IMDB entry: tt12616480 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.

The technical file

Cinematography: Pär M. Ekberg
Original score: Steffen Thum
Editing: Rickard Krantz
Production design: Barry Chusid
Costume design: Caroline Harris
VFX supervisor: Sebastian Barker
Stunt coordinator: László Kósa
Runtime: 109 min · 1h 49m
Aspect ratio (typical): 1.37:1 (Academy)
Status: Released
Original language: EN
Certification (US): R
IMDB: Slingshot (2024)
Rotten Tomatoes: 38% 🥫 Rotten
Metacritic: 52/100
IMDB rating: 5.7/10 · 11,861 votes
MPAA: R
US box office: $735,738

Also by

Mikael Håfström

Stills · wallpapers

Selected frames

Full-resolution frames — open one to save it as a wallpaper.

Wallpaper

Trailers & featurettes

Watch the pieces

Community reviews

What people are saying

Brent Marchant2024-09-01
★ 5/10
Sci-fi releases that attempt to do something more than the minimum of what’s typically expected of them are to be admired for their ambition and creativity. That’s especially true when they seek to fuse their subjects and storylines with material drawn from other genres. However, to achieve success at that, the filmmakers behind these projects need to be very precise and diligent in coming up with a mix that works, and, sadly, that’s where this offering fails – not by much, mind you, but just enough to characterize it as a well-intentioned near miss. The film follows the diverse, often-surreal experiences of an astronaut (Casey Affleck) on a daring, cutting-edge mission to the Saturnian moon Titan, one that’s to be reached via a gravitational slingshot effect around Jupiter that will propel the craft to its destination at an accelerated speed. That consideration aside, though, the journey is nevertheless a lengthy one, requiring the protagonist and his crew mates (Laurence Fishburne, Tomer Capone) to be placed in drug-induced hibernation for vast stretches of the trip, a tricky proposition given the potential side effects of these powerful substances. This blend of story elements thus sets up the characters for an odyssey (ironically, the name of their ship) fraught with strange dreams, hallucinations and other unexpected developments, particularly when the spacecraft is mysteriously damaged, placing completion of the mission in jeopardy and affecting the psychological stability of the crew. Matters become further complicated when our hero begins having visions of his romantic interest (and one of the ship’s designers) (Emily Beecham) aboard the craft. So what is exactly going on here? That’s what director Mikael Hafstrom seeks to explain, though it’s far from an easy task. While the picture has its moments of intelligence and even poetic insights, it nevertheless struggles with a narrative and screenplay that become a little too convoluted for their own good. The writing, unfortunately, isn’t completely capable of fulfilling its intent, often taking the long way around to connect the dots and involving material that could have used some cleaning up to attain its goal (such as (ironically enough) using some “slingshot” shortcuts to move the story along instead of getting bogged down in plodding, elaborate attempts at explanation). Some will also note the many thematic similarities between this offering and “Spaceman,” released earlier this year (though, admittedly, there are enough distinct tonal differences and plot devices to adequately distinguish the two films and keep them from being labeled copycats). And then rhere’s the production’s tendency to push the limits of appropriate on-screen violence, verging on becoming a little too gratuitous though never actually crossing the line of acceptability (despite coming precariously close on occasion). Regrettably, these shortcomings detract somewhat from some of the picture’s genuinely fine attributes, such as some gorgeous special effects, a simple but smart production design, solid performances and a catchy soundtrack. It’s truly a shame that those elements noted above don’t match the level of these qualities; had “Slingshot” done so, this would have been a stellar release in the same vein as offerings like “Solaris” (2002) and “2001: A Space Odyssey” (1968) instead of becoming a largely forgettable sci-fi also-ran, a destiny with which it’s ultimately likely to be saddled.
tmdb516161672024-09-01
★ 4/10
In the mesmerizing thriller "Slingshot," viewers are taken on a gripping journey through the vast expanse of space and time. Casey Affleck stars as John, a character who finds himself trapped in the depths of space, leading to a series of unexpected twists and turns that keep audiences on the edge of their seats. While the film may have moments that captivate and intrigue, there are also instances where the pace slows and boredom may creep in. However, as the third act unfolds, the movie truly takes flight, delivering an exhilarating and unforgettable experience that makes the initial dryness worth enduring. Throughout the film, viewers are kept guessing and questioning the fates of characters like John, Nash, and Frank, creating a sense of anticipation and curiosity that drives the narrative forward. Lawrence Fishburne shines as the formidable antagonist, bringing a menacing intensity to his role that adds depth to the story. Meanwhile, Casey Affleck delivers a standout performance that solidifies his place as a talented actor. While the first act may feel lackluster at times, "Slingshot" is a film that is best enjoyed through streaming platforms, rather than in theaters. It's a journey worth embarking on for those who appreciate a thought-provoking and immersive cinematic experience.