🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Eric Six
- Genre: Action, Science Fiction, Thriller
- Release year: 2019
- Runtime (length): 1h 29min
- IMDb rating: 3.3/10 (2.1K votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: N/A
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
The International Space Station becomes a black site prison where a rogue doctor and a shuttle pilot must stop terrorists from turning it into a missile, while Scott Adkins shows up to complicate things because space rules are apparently optional.
🍿 Incoming: Detailed Plot Synopsis
The Ultimate Space Black Site
The film introduces ‘The Facility,’ a top-secret black site prison that has been established within the International Space Station. This orbiting correctional facility is designed to hold the world’s most dangerous terrorists and criminals, operating beyond traditional legal oversight and with the utmost secrecy.

Prisoner Uprising and Global Threat
The precarious security of The Facility is abruptly shattered when the imprisoned terrorists manage to orchestrate a sophisticated takeover. Their audacious plan involves seizing full control of the space station and re-orienting it to serve as a weapon – a missile aimed directly at Moscow, threatening to unleash a devastating global catastrophe.

Unlikely Heroes and a Rogue Agent
Caught in the escalating crisis are a shuttle pilot and a rookie doctor, who find themselves as the last line of defense against the terrorists’ apocalyptic plot. Their desperate mission to reclaim the station and avert disaster is significantly complicated by the presence of Reiser (Scott Adkins), a mysterious and rogue CIA agent whose own covert agenda often clashes with their efforts, adding an unpredictable element to the struggle for survival.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Reiser (Scott Adkins): A rogue CIA agent who operates with his own hidden agenda, complicating efforts to stop the terrorists on the space prison.
- Bridges (Aaron McCusker): A shuttle pilot tasked with stopping the imprisoned terrorists who have taken over the International Space Station.
- Stone (Michelle Lehane): A rookie doctor who joins the mission to neutralize the threat posed by the terrorists controlling the space prison.
- Kingsley (Lukas Loughran): The primary imprisoned terrorist leader who orchestrates the takeover of the International Space Station and aims it at Moscow.
- Argun (Vahidin Prelic): A significant and dangerous imprisoned terrorist who actively participates in the takeover of the space station.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Bolat: “Are We In Heaven?” – Said by Bolat, questioning their current state, immediately followed by Argun’s response, capturing a moment of despair and hope for escape.
- Argun: “No, But We are Getting Out Of Hell!” – Argun’s determined reply to Bolat, emphasizing their resolve to break free from the prison.
- Stone: “Is that even legal! What about the Geneva Convention?” – The rookie doctor expresses her shock and disbelief at the inhumane and illegal conditions of the space prison upon her arrival.
- Kingsley: “There is no Geneva Convention up here.” – The station manager delivers this chilling line, asserting the absolute lawlessness and brutality governing the orbital black site prison.
- Reiser: “My agenda is my own.” – The rogue CIA agent, Reiser, makes it clear that he operates independently with his own objectives for the station and its inhabitants.
💰Box Office
- Budget: N/A
- Domestic Gross: N/A
- Worldwide Gross: N/A
💥 Incoming Reviews
Personal Review
As a massive Scott Adkins fan, I always go into his films hoping for some incredible action, even if the plot is a bit thin. ‘Incoming’ really tested that loyalty. The idea of a space prison sounds awesome, but the execution felt incredibly low-budget, especially with the CGI and the ‘zero-gravity’ that was clearly just a normal set. I kept waiting for those signature Adkins fight scenes to really explode, but even those felt toned down or poorly shot, which was a real disappointment. The acting was pretty rough across the board, and some of the character decisions left me scratching my head. It’s a shame, because the premise had potential. Overall, it’s a tough watch, and honestly, I probably wouldn’t recommend it unless you’re a completist for Scott Adkins’ filmography and ready for a B-movie that leans heavily into the ‘B’.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Die-hard fans of Scott Adkins (who are tolerant of B-movies)”
- “Viewers who enjoy low-budget sci-fi action films”
- “Those looking for a ‘space prison’ thriller”
- “Anyone seeking a movie for casual, non-critical viewing”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Graphic violence and gore”
- “Low-budget CGI and production quality”
- “Derivative plot”
- “Poor acting and script (common criticism in reviews)”
Professional Reviews
- FilmCritique Today: “‘Incoming’ is a low-orbit disaster, failing to achieve liftoff beyond its intriguing premise. Despite Scott Adkins’ best efforts, the film is grounded by a paper-thin plot, questionable acting, and CGI that struggles to leave the launchpad. It feels less like a space thriller and more like a direct-to-video misfire, ultimately proving that even in zero-gravity, a bad script can still weigh a movie down.
- Screen Pulse: “Attempting to ride the coattails of better ‘space prison’ thrillers, ‘Incoming’ unfortunately crash-lands. The production values are noticeably constrained, making the ‘International Space Station’ feel more like a dimly lit soundstage. Action sequences, usually Adkins’ forte, lack punch due to choppy editing, and the narrative veers into baffling territory. A forgettable experience, even for genre enthusiasts seeking a cheap thrill.
Audience Reactions
Many viewers found the low budget, particularly the CGI and lack of convincing zero-gravity, to be a significant distraction.: A small subset of viewers appreciated it as a watchable, albeit flawed, B-movie or for Scott Adkins’ presence despite the weak material, viewing it as background entertainment.
The plot was often criticized for being illogical, predictable, and suffering from poor character development and questionable decisions by the protagonists.: Some viewers found the premise itself intriguing, even if its execution fell flat, and a few enjoyed the general action movie vibe for a casual watch.
Overall Consensus: Generally, ‘Incoming’ is viewed as a disappointing, low-budget sci-fi action film marred by poor production quality, a weak script, and underutilized talent, largely failing to impress even dedicated fans of its star.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “The movie was filmed in Belgrade, Serbia, which is not a common location for high-budget Hollywood sci-fi films.”
- “Despite being set on the International Space Station, the film explicitly uses ‘gravity modifiers’ as a plot device to explain why there is no zero-gravity cinematography, likely due to budget constraints.”
- “Many user reviews frequently compare ‘Incoming’ unfavorably to the 2012 Guy Pearce film ‘Lockout’, which shares a very similar premise of a prison takeover in space, highlighting the perceived lack of quality in ‘Incoming’s production.”
- “The film has a notable visual goof where the International Space Station is shown orbiting the Moon, despite the real ISS having a Low Earth Orbit, which is vastly closer to Earth.”
🖥️ How to Watch Incoming?
Incoming (2019) is available for streaming and rental on various digital platforms. Viewers can typically find it on video-on-demand (VOD) services such as Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and YouTube, where it can be rented or purchased. While it may have been available on subscription services like Netflix in the past (as noted by user reviews), availability can vary by region and over time. It is recommended to check your preferred platform for current options.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Incoming, you might like these similar films:
- Lockout (2012): Direct comparison, as both films feature a gritty, action-packed premise of a space prison taken over by its inmates, with a cynical anti-hero sent in to resolve the crisis.
- Outland (1981): Shares the thematic elements of a confined, isolated setting in space where a law enforcement officer battles corruption and crime, creating a gritty sci-fi thriller atmosphere.
- Escape from New York (1981): Features a large-scale area (Manhattan) transformed into a maximum-security prison, and an anti-hero protagonist sent in, mirroring the concept of a facility-wide prison takeover and a rogue operative.
- Breach (2020): A more recent low-budget sci-fi action film also set on a spaceship with a contained threat, offering a similar contemporary B-movie experience.
- Event Horizon (1997): While primarily a horror film, it’s an acclaimed sci-fi thriller set on a derelict spaceship, providing a high-tension, claustrophobic atmosphere that fans of space-set genre films might appreciate for its superior production and narrative.
🛒 Incoming Related Products
- Scott Adkins: Undisputed Collection (Blu-ray): Dive into the best of Scott Adkins’ martial arts prowess with a collection of his most iconic films, showcasing his incredible fight choreography and screen presence. A must-have for fans.
- Lockout (Blu-ray / 4K UHD): Experience the gritty, action-packed sci-fi thriller that ‘Incoming’ is often compared to. Starring Guy Pearce as a cynical ex-CIA agent tasked with rescuing the President’s daughter from an orbital prison riot.
- LEGO Ideas International Space Station (21321) Building Kit: Construct your own highly detailed replica of the International Space Station, complete with a posable Canadarm2, 2 rotating joints and 8 adjustable solar panels. A challenging and rewarding build for space enthusiasts.
- Dead Space Remake (PlayStation 5 / Xbox Series X|S – Digital Code): Immerse yourself in a terrifying sci-fi survival horror experience set aboard a derelict mining spaceship, where you must fight grotesque horrors and uncover a chilling mystery.
🎧 Soundtrack
Incoming features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
Incoming generally received very low ratings from critics and audiences, with many citing issues like poor CGI, a weak script, and uninspired acting. While some viewers found it to be a ‘fun’ low-budget action film, the overwhelming consensus is negative, often comparing it unfavorably to similar movies like ‘Lockout.’
Incoming is a sci-fi action thriller set on a secret space prison, a black site on the International Space Station. When the imprisoned terrorists take over the station and aim it as a missile at Moscow, a shuttle pilot and a rookie doctor must stop them, complicated by a rogue CIA agent (Scott Adkins) with his own agenda.
Scott Adkins plays Reiser, a rogue CIA agent with his own complex agenda regarding the space prison and its inhabitants. While his methods and goals often put him at odds with the protagonists, his role is more ambiguous than a straightforward villain, operating in a morally grey area of national security.
Yes, ‘Incoming’ shares a very similar premise with the 2012 film ‘Lockout,’ starring Guy Pearce and Maggie Grace. Both movies feature a prison in space that is taken over by its inmates, leading to a desperate mission to contain the threat. Many viewers and critics have noted the strong parallels, often suggesting ‘Lockout’ as a superior alternative.
Incoming was filmed in Belgrade, Serbia. This allowed for the production to operate on a lower budget, which is often reflected in the film’s visual effects and set designs.
🔥 Bonus Content
Mason Thames & Isabella Ferreira Talk About Their Firsts | Incoming | Netflix
Ever wonder what it was like for the stars of ‘Incoming’ to experience their own ‘firsts’ in high school or even on the movie set? This chat with Mason Thames and Isabella Ferreira is super relatable and gives you a fun, personal look at their journey, which I found really interesting!
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