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Sputnik
Спутник
2020 113 min Russia R 16+
★6.7
Science Fiction, Drama, Horror
Director: Egor Abramenko
Trailers
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EN
Description
At the height of the Cold War, a Soviet spacecraft crash lands after a mission gone awry, leaving the commander as its only survivor. After a renowned Russian psychologist is brought in to evaluate the commander’s mental state, it becomes clear that something dangerous may have come back to Earth with him…
Budget:
$2.6M
US Gross:
$18,853
Worldwide:
$354,023
Starring
Oksana Akinshina
Actor
Fedor Bondarchuk
Actor
Pyotr Fyodorov
Actor
Awards
Saturn Awards 2021
— Best International Feature Film
Key opinion
Sputnik is widely regarded as a visually polished and atmospheric entry in Russian science fiction that successfully mimics the production values of Hollywood creature features. While its technical execution is frequently praised, opinions diverge sharply on its narrative originality and the effectiveness of its character-driven focus versus the reliance on established genre tropes.
| Cinematography | The film features high-quality cinematography, moody lighting, and effective sound design that create an immersive, professional-grade atmosphere. | |
| Production | The creature design is highly detailed and effectively rendered, standing up to comparison with Western genre benchmarks. | |
| Acting | Performance quality is polarized; while some viewers find the lead trio of Akinshina, Fyodorov, and Bondarchuk compelling, others dismiss their acting as flat or reliant on tired archetypes. | |
| Screenplay | The screenplay is divisive: supporters appreciate its clear focus on human moral conflict, while critics argue it recycles exhausted science fiction tropes and lacks genuine innovation. | |
| Pacing | The film's pacing is a subject of debate, with some audiences appreciating the deliberate, psychological slow-burn, while others find the middle sections tedious and lacking in action. |