Synopsis
On the last day of the first manned mission to Mars, a crew member of Tantalus Base believes he has made an astounding discovery – fossilized evidence of bacterial life. Unwilling to let the relief crew claim all the glory, he disobeys orders to pack up and goes out on an unauthorized expedition to collect further samples. But a routine excavation turns to disaster when the porous ground collapses and he falls into a deep crevice. His devastated colleagues attempt to recover his body. However, when another vanishes, they start to suspect that the life-form they have discovered is not without danger.
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Cast
- Liev SchreiberVincent Campbell
- Elias KoteasCharles Brunel
- Romola GaraiRebecca Lane
- Olivia WilliamsKim Aldrich
- Johnny HarrisRobert Irwin
- Goran KostićMarko Petrovic
- Tom CullenRichard Harrington
- Yusra WarsamaLauren Dalby
- Patrick Joseph ByrnesFlight Commander Ellis
- Lewis MacleodInfected Voices (voice)
Recommendations
- 70
Village Voice
It's just zombies versus an international research station on the wastes of the Red Planet, with all that such a premise promises. - 60
The Hollywood Reporter
The unapologetically derivative sci-fi outing doesn’t have the scripting muscle to deliver on its early promise. But the solid cast keeps it reasonably gripping nonetheless. - 60
Time Out
Once the undead start walking, however, the film loses some of its footing: Most of the bloodletting is staged with quick-cut inelegance better suited to the hack horror production of your choosing, though there’s still a potent air of hopelessness that lingers as the cast is winnowed away "Ten Little Indians"–style. - 50
Film.com
Schreiber saves it to an extent with some unusual performance choices, but when you compare this ending to the emotional supernova of Danny Boyle’s “Sunshine” it comes way short. - 50
The New York Times
The Last Days on Mars ultimately can’t transcend its pulpy roots. - 40
Variety
While it earns high marks for Jon Henson’s production design, this murkily derivative sci-fi-horror entry sets its sights disappointingly low in terms of story and ideas. - 40
The Dissolve
It’s a monster movie made with energy, but no real enthusiasm, and its setting just makes it feel like a long way to go to get the same old thing. - 40
New York Daily News
On the bright side, Robinson’s unlucky astronauts are played by Liev Schreiber, Elias Koteas, Olivia Williams and Romola Garai. All of these actors approach their potential demise with impressive conviction.
