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Lifeforce
1985 102 min United Kingdom R 16+
★6.0
Horror, Science Fiction, Action, Mystery
Director: Tobe Hooper
🎭 Based on
«The Space Vampires»
byColin Wilson
Trailers
EN
EN
Teaser
Teaser
EN
EN
EN
EN
Description
A race of space vampires arrives in London and infects the populace, commencing an apocalyptic descent into chaos.
Budget:
$25M
US Gross:
$11.6M
Worldwide:
$11.6M
Starring
Steve Railsback
Actor
Mathilda May
Actor
Peter Firth
Actor
Awards
Saturn Awards 1986
— Best Horror Film
Saturn Awards 1986
— Best Visual Effects
Key opinion
Lifeforce is a polarizing cult classic that splits audiences between those who appreciate its ambitious, visually striking practical effects and gothic ambition, and those who find it a disjointed, poorly paced mess. While its narrative and character depth are frequently criticized as nonsensical, its unique blend of space-horror and high-concept camp has earned it a dedicated following.
| Production | The practical effects and visual set pieces are widely regarded as spectacular and technically impressive for their time. | |
| Acting | Mathilda May’s performance is a standout element, effectively anchoring the film's intended archetype through her screen presence. | |
| Screenplay | The screenplay is criticized for being incoherent, filled with plot holes, and failing to justify its own bizarre logic. | |
| Runtime | The film's pacing is divisive, as the two-hour runtime is seen by many as bloated and prone to boredom despite a strong start and end. | |
| Originality | Opinions on the overall narrative quality are split, with some viewing it as a thrilling, genre-bending cult masterpiece and others as a disjointed failure that lacks cohesion. |