Ash (2025)

Ash (2025) is an American sci-fi horror film. I didn’t know that, as I very rarely watch trailers before seeing a film. I might have expected a Passengers (2016) style film, but the beginning looks more like 400 Days (2015).

Ahh… I couldn’t wait for it to end! This film is fun to see once… and then again: not for everyone!

On a distant planet, an astronaut, Riya, wakes up to discover that her entire space station crew has been killed and she suffers from amnesia, in addition to abrupt memories of her partners and their mission. Prone to paranoia, she can’t decide whether to trust a man who claims to know her, sent to save her.

Eiza González isn’t the most incredible actress based on this film. But she sure is pretty! So… if you think that’s a good enough reason to see a film, go ahead! She is, however, a Mexican actress and singer, born on 30 January 1990 in Mexico City. She gained popularity for starring in a teen sitcom and has recorded two albums. In this film, she reminded me of a young Angelina Jolie or a beginner Kate Beckinsale. Everyone will think of different actresses when they see her.

Originally, in August 2022, it was announced that Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Tessa Thompson had been chosen to star in the film. Tessa would have been perfect, unlike Joseph. In March 2023, it was announced that Aaron Paul and Eiza González had been cast to replace Gordon-Levitt and Thompson respectively. Aaron is still a good choice. In May 2023 it was announced that Iko Uwais, Jasmine Koale, Elliott, and Flying Lotus (who is also the director) had been cast in the film and production had begun. Written by Jonni Remmler and produced by Matthew Metcalfe for those interested.

The fight scene at the end was inspired by Resident Evil. Terrence Malick, Ryuichi Sakamoto, and John Carpenter received special thanks in the credits… not least because the soundtrack was inspired by Carpenter’s work. In fact, I get the impression that they wanted to make a new The Thing mixed with Alien by way of Dead Space. But, once again (as you might expect!), this film doesn’t come close to either of them.

The film was expected to make around 2 million dollars in 1,136 cinemas on its opening weekend… but, obviously, it didn’t make it.

In fact, most of the film is a profound bore, despite its troubling plot twists. There’s a bit of everything: some nice fight scenes, but some very badly choreographed ones. You think it’s over several times, but each time the director manages to add something more or less interesting.

You could say that this film is as bad as the Northern Irish rock band Ash were in the 90s! That said, the music at the end is pretty cool.

Can be watched once, but certainly not twice. There’s nothing original about ‘Ash’, including the finale. But it will find its audience among fans of the genre.