Review by Jon Donnis
Slingshot is a cerebral science fiction psychological thriller that attempts to delve into the fragility of the human mind when isolated in the vast reaches of space. Directed by Mikael Håfström, the film relies heavily on its stellar cast, particularly Casey Affleck and Laurence Fishburne, to carry its slow-burning narrative of a mission to Saturn's moon, Titan, gone awry.
.jpg)
Affleck's portrayal of John, an astronaut struggling to maintain his grip on reality during a years-long space voyage, is compelling, if somewhat familiar. As John descends into paranoia, his deteriorating mental state becomes the central focus of the film. Affleck captures the growing sense of isolation and madness with subtlety, while Fishburne, as the stern yet enigmatic Captain Franks, brings his usual gravitas, providing a much-needed anchor for the film's more ambiguous moments. The two actors share a tense chemistry that serves to heighten the psychological tension aboard the spaceship.
The film sets a chilling tone from the outset, as the crew grapples with both the physical and psychological demands of their mission. Håfström creates a claustrophobic atmosphere, using the cold, sterile interiors of the spacecraft to amplify the sense of confinement and disorientation. The use of hibernation cycles, where the astronauts repeatedly drift in and out of consciousness, cleverly mirrors the characters' struggle to distinguish between reality and delusion. As John's hallucinations grow more vivid, the audience, too, is drawn into his confusion, unsure of what's real and what is a product of his unraveling mind.
.jpg)
However, while Slingshot excels in its mood and performances, the narrative feels overly familiar, echoing themes and motifs from more accomplished space films like 2001: A Space Odyssey, Solaris, and Moon. The psychological strain of space travel has been explored many times before, and while Slingshot adds its own twists, they are not as fresh or surprising as the film might hope. The final twist, is effective but predictable, especially for audiences well-versed in the genre.
At nearly two hours, the film's pacing is another drawback. The first two-thirds of the film are slow, and while this deliberate pacing helps build tension, it could have benefitted from a tighter runtime. The climactic final act, in which John's breakdown reaches its peak, injects much-needed urgency, but it feels a little too late to save the film from its earlier sluggishness.
Slingshot is undeniably atmospheric, and Affleck's performance as a man haunted by his own mind is a highlight, but it struggles to stand out in a genre that has seen many masterpieces before it. Håfström's direction takes the cerebral route, focusing on psychological tension rather than action, which works well for the most part. However, the film's well-trodden premise and its overlong runtime ultimately hold it back from being truly remarkable.
.jpg)
In the end, Slingshot is a solid if unoriginal entry in the psychological space thriller genre, offering an engaging watch for fans of slow-burn sci-fi, but unlikely to leave a lasting impact. It's a decent effort with some great performances, but one that never quite reaches the heights of its predecessors. A respectable 6.5 out of 10 feels appropriate for this thoughtful, if somewhat predictable, thriller.
Out now on Digital
