In 2021, Netflix released Stowaway, a sci-fi thriller directed by Joe Penna, which quickly garnered attention for its gripping storyline and stellar performances. With a mix of intense survival drama and profound emotional depth, the film explores the human condition against the backdrop of space exploration. Central to this narrative are the remarkable performances of Anna Kendrick and Toni Collette, two actresses who bring unique energy and complexity to their roles as astronauts facing an unimaginable crisis. Stowaway is not just a tale of survival in the vacuum of space; it is a study in isolation, sacrifice, and the ethical dilemmas that arise when life is on the line. This article takes a closer look at the film, its characters, and the themes it explores, highlighting the contributions of Kendrick and Collette to an already compelling story.
1. The Plot of Stowaway
Stowaway is set in the not-too-distant future, when humans are on the verge of establishing a colony on Mars. The film opens with a crew of astronauts embarking on a long, treacherous journey to the Red Planet. The crew includes Commander Marina Barnett (Toni Collette), medical researcher Zoe Levenson (Anna Kendrick), biologist David Kim (Shamier Anderson), and engineer Mateo (Daniel Dae Kim), all of whom are dedicated to the mission at hand.
However, the peace of their voyage is shattered when they discover an unintended stowaway—an unconscious man named Michael (Shamier Anderson). His presence on board the spacecraft jeopardizes the crew’s mission, as it puts their already limited oxygen supply in peril. With no way to return to Earth and no resources to support an additional person, the crew is thrust into a moral and emotional dilemma: Do they sacrifice one life to save the others, or do they risk the lives of everyone on board in the hopes of finding a solution?
The film is driven by this central conflict: the fight for survival against the backdrop of space’s vast emptiness. As the crew members wrestle with their individual fears and hopes, the tension of being trapped in such an isolated, confined space builds, creating an almost suffocating atmosphere. The story’s emotional stakes grow higher as the characters are forced to confront the harsh realities of their situation, including the possibility that their mission to Mars may not even be completed.
2. Anna Kendrick’s Role: From Comedy to High-Stakes Drama
Known for her charming comedic roles in films like Pitch Perfect and Up in the Air, Anna Kendrick is a surprising but welcome addition to the sci-fi genre in Stowaway. As Zoe Levenson, the film’s medical researcher, Kendrick brings a fresh vulnerability and relatability to the character, while still exhibiting the determination and intelligence required for someone in her position.
Zoe is not a hardened astronaut or seasoned space traveler—she is, in many ways, an ordinary person caught in extraordinary circumstances. This makes her emotional journey all the more powerful. When the crew discovers the stowaway, Zoe is immediately thrust into a moral conundrum that forces her to balance her scientific understanding with her deeply human instincts. She must navigate the ethical dilemma of whether to sacrifice an innocent life for the sake of the greater good, all while dealing with the emotional weight of knowing that their mission to Mars is now at risk.
Kendrick excels in portraying Zoe’s internal conflict. She does not shy away from showing her character’s fear and uncertainty, which are central to the film’s emotional core. Her role in Stowaway marks a significant departure from her usual comedic work, showcasing her range as an actress who can handle high-stakes drama with equal skill. In one particular scene, when Zoe is forced to make a life-or-death decision, Kendrick’s performance is raw and heart-wrenching, perfectly capturing the agony of a person struggling to reconcile duty with empathy.
3. Toni Collette: Bringing Emotional Depth to the Space Drama
Toni Collette, an actress renowned for her ability to balance strength with vulnerability, is a standout in her role as Commander Marina Barnett. As the leader of the mission to Mars, Marina is tasked with making decisions that will impact the lives of her entire crew, including the uninvited stowaway. While her role requires her to exhibit authority and decisiveness, Collette masterfully infuses her character with a sense of internal struggle and emotional depth.
Collette’s portrayal of Marina is a study in leadership under pressure. Throughout the film, Marina faces immense pressure to keep her crew together and make life-altering decisions, yet Collette never allows her character to become one-dimensional. In moments of quiet introspection, Marina’s vulnerability shines through, especially when she grapples with the impossible choices she must make. It is through these moments that Collette’s nuanced performance elevates the film from a standard survival story into a meditation on sacrifice and human connection.
One of the most striking aspects of Collette’s performance is her ability to convey the burden of responsibility without overtly displaying it. She does not need to shout or become overtly emotional to showcase the weight of her decisions; her eyes and subtle expressions convey the deep inner conflict she experiences. In Stowaway, Collette proves once again why she is one of the most respected actresses of her generation, capable of infusing even the most isolated characters with complexity and humanity.
4. Themes of Isolation and Sacrifice
Stowaway is not just a thriller about survival in space; it is a film that delves deeply into the psychological and emotional toll of isolation. The spacecraft, confined and claustrophobic, becomes both a literal and metaphorical prison for the crew, whose survival depends on maintaining a fragile balance of resources. As oxygen levels dwindle and the stowaway’s presence threatens their lives, the crew is forced to confront the harsh realities of space travel: it is not just the elements of space that are dangerous, but the ethical and emotional toll of making life-and-death decisions.
The film explores the themes of sacrifice in profound ways. The crew members must decide whether to sacrifice one person for the sake of the rest, or whether they can find a solution that will allow everyone to survive. These decisions are not black and white. Each character is forced to grapple with their conscience, and the film’s emotional weight lies in these moments of moral ambiguity.
Kendrick’s Zoe and Collette’s Marina both embody these themes of sacrifice. Zoe, driven by her sense of empathy, wants to find a way to save everyone, while Marina, burdened with the responsibility of leadership, must consider the mission’s success above all else. Their characters’ arcs are built around this tension, and their contrasting approaches to survival provide the emotional backbone of the story. The film’s exploration of sacrifice is not just about life-or-death decisions; it also touches on the personal sacrifices that each character makes for the good of the group.
5. The Space Genre: A Thrilling yet Intimate Setting
While space films often focus on grand adventure, technological feats, and the exploration of unknown worlds, Stowaway takes a different approach. The spacecraft, which is intended to carry its passengers to Mars, becomes the film’s central setting. Unlike the expansive vastness of space, the interior of the ship is tight, confined, and claustrophobic. This setting serves to heighten the emotional and psychological tension of the film.
The close quarters of the spacecraft force the characters into constant proximity with one another, and this physical confinement mirrors their emotional entrapment. The characters cannot escape the consequences of their decisions, and there is no room to avoid the difficult conversations and decisions that must be made. The intimacy of this setting makes the stakes feel all the more personal, as every decision feels like it will have irreversible consequences.
6. Behind the Scenes: Filmmaking and Visuals
The success of Stowaway can also be attributed to its direction, cinematography, and visual effects, which work together to create a realistic and immersive experience. Director Joe Penna, known for his work on Arctic, brings a restrained but effective approach to the film, allowing the emotional drama to take precedence over grandiose spectacle. The cinematography by Javier Julia emphasizes the isolating, suffocating feeling of space travel, with many scenes shot in tight, narrow corridors or through small windows that look out into the infinite void of space.
The visual effects, though subtle, are also crucial in creating a sense of realism. The spacecraft’s design feels grounded in current technological possibilities, making the story’s tension even more relatable. The isolation of space is portrayed not as a distant, unreachable concept but as something immediate and deeply human.
Conclusion: A Thrilling and Thought-Provoking Space Drama
Stowaway is a unique entry in the space thriller genre. While it shares many of the hallmarks of traditional survival stories in space, it stands apart by focusing on the emotional and ethical complexities of its characters. Anna Kendrick and Toni Collette give exceptional performances, grounding the film in deeply human struggles as the crew faces life-or-death decisions in the face of overwhelming odds. Their chemistry and emotional depth elevate the film beyond its sci-fi trappings, making Stowaway a powerful meditation on sacrifice, isolation, and survival.
For viewers who enjoy character-driven narratives set against the backdrop of high-stakes adventure, Stowaway is a must-watch. It’s a film that invites reflection on the nature of human relationships, moral choices, and the lengths to which we will go to survive—on Earth or in the farthest reaches of space.
