🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Joe Penna
- Genre: Sci-Fi, Thriller, Drama
- Release year: 2021
- Runtime (length): 1h 56min
- IMDb rating: 5.7/10 (97k votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 76%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
A janitor accidentally hitches a ride to Mars and ruins everyone’s vacation, so they play a cosmic game of ‘who gets to breathe’.
🍿 Stowaway: Detailed Plot Synopsis
The Mission Begins
Commander Marina Barnett, biologist David Kim, and medical researcher Zoe Levenson embark on a two-year mission to Mars aboard the MTS-42. Shortly after launch, Marina discovers launch support engineer Michael Adams, an accidental stowaway, unconscious behind a panel inside the launch vehicle. Zoe manages to save his life, but the discovery presents an immediate problem.

The Oxygen Crisis
The crew soon learns that Michael inadvertently damaged the carbon dioxide scrubber, a vital life support system. This renders it irreparable and makes an entire section of the ship unusable. The team is forced to rely on emergency lithium hydroxide canisters, but these only provide enough oxygen for two passengers, not four. They also attempt to cultivate algae as a potential oxygen source, but this effort proves insufficient.

Impossible Choices
Faced with dwindling resources and the inability to turn back, the crew explores desperate measures to secure enough oxygen. They consider a risky EVA to retrieve liquid oxygen from the launch vehicle, but the mission is deemed too dangerous. The reality of sacrificing one crew member looms as the only viable option, leading to internal conflict and moral dilemmas.

A Risky Rescue
Zoe, determined to save Michael, proposes an EVA to retrieve liquid oxygen, and David agrees to join her. They successfully fill two tanks, but a deadly solar flare forces them to abandon one. Tragedy strikes when Zoe accidentally drops the filled tank, leaving the crew with a single option: a perilous return to retrieve the remaining tank.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Zoe Levenson (Anna Kendrick): The medical researcher on the Mars mission who advocates for the stowaway and ultimately sacrifices herself to save the crew.
- David Kim (Daniel Dae Kim): The biologist on the Mars mission whose algae experiments become crucial for survival, leading him to grapple with ethical dilemmas.
- Michael Adams (Shamier Anderson): The accidental stowaway and launch support engineer whose presence jeopardizes the mission, forcing the crew to make difficult choices.
- Marina Barnett (Toni Collette): The commander of the Mars mission who is responsible for the crew’s safety and must make difficult decisions regarding limited resources.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Zoe Levenson: “You never know where life’s gonna take you… this is one of those rare opportunities that could truly give my life meaning beyond anything I could imagine.” – Zoe expresses her excitement and sense of purpose about the Mars mission before the crisis occurs.
- Marina Barnett: “We’re a team. We solve problems.” – Captain Barnett tries to reassure the crew after discovering the stowaway.
- David Kim: “We can’t just decide who gets to live and who doesn’t.” – David expresses his moral reservations about sacrificing Michael to save the others.
- Michael Adams: “I just want to help.” – Michael, feeling guilty for the situation, expresses his willingness to contribute and ease the burden on the crew.
💰Box Office
- Budget: $10,000,000
- Domestic Gross: N/A
- Worldwide Gross: N/A
💥 Stowaway Reviews
Personal Review
Okay, so I watched “Stowaway” last night, and I have *thoughts*. The beginning was super intriguing – like, how does someone even accidentally get on a spaceship to Mars? Then things got real heavy, real fast. I was constantly asking ‘What would I do?’ The scene where they’re trying to figure out the oxygen situation and the crew has to decide who lives and who dies – intense! I was so stressed. The ending… I’m still not sure how I feel about it. It was a tough watch, but it definitely stuck with me. I loved the dilemma.
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of science fiction thrillers”
- “Viewers interested in space exploration and survival stories”
- “Those who appreciate films with moral dilemmas and ethical considerations”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Themes of sacrifice and death”
- “Some scenes of injury and medical procedures”
- “Intense situations and suspenseful moments”
Professional Reviews
- Space Gazette: “”Stowaway” delivers a tense, claustrophobic atmosphere that keeps you engaged. While the plot relies on some improbable events, the cast’s strong performances create compelling characters facing impossible choices. It’s a thought-provoking look at survival in the vast emptiness of space, even if it stumbles on the scientific details.
- The Sci-Fi Sentinel: “A slow-burn thriller that prioritizes ethical dilemmas over action, “Stowaway” offers a unique perspective on space travel. Kendrick and Kim shine as the crew grapples with their predicament. The abrupt ending may leave some unsatisfied, but the journey itself is worth the watch for fans of character-driven sci-fi.
- Cosmic Critic: “”Stowaway” squanders a promising premise with illogical plot decisions and underdeveloped characters. The film fails to create a believable sense of danger, and the ending feels rushed and unearned. It’s a visually appealing but ultimately unsatisfying venture into the depths of space.
Audience Reactions
The film had the ability to highlight how people can come together in desperate times.: Viewers loved how the film focused on character interaction and the tough decisions they faced.
The visual effects provided a realistic and immersive depiction of space travel.: Many appreciated the stunning visuals and realistic portrayal of the spaceship and its environment.
Overall Consensus: “Stowaway” sparks debate, with strong performances and moral questions that intrigue many, but others criticize the scientific inaccuracies and weak writing.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “The spaceship used in the movie is described as a cycler, a real-life Mars Cycler project proposed by astronaut Buzz Aldrin, which uses gravity assist flybys to reach Mars.”
- “To portray the weightlessness of space, the actors underwent extensive wire work and zero-gravity simulations.”
- “The film explores the ethical dilemmas faced by astronauts when unexpected problems arise during long-duration space missions, forcing them to make difficult choices about resource allocation and survival.”
🖥️ How to Watch Stowaway?
As a Netflix original film, ‘Stowaway’ is exclusively available for streaming on Netflix. To watch, you’ll need a Netflix subscription. Unfortunately, ‘Stowaway’ is not available for purchase or rental on platforms like Prime Video, Apple TV, or Google Play. Check your local Netflix availability, as content can vary by region.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Stowaway, you might like these similar films:
- Gravity (2013): Both films feature astronauts facing a life-threatening crisis in space, requiring them to overcome incredible odds to survive.
- Apollo 13 (1995): This is a classic space survival story where astronauts must use their ingenuity and teamwork to overcome a catastrophic equipment failure and return home safely.
- The Martian (2015): Similar to Stowaway, The Martian tells the story of an astronaut who must survive against incredible odds, facing resource scarcity and difficult choices.
- Ad Astra (2019): Focuses on themes of isolation and the psychological toll of long space missions, akin to the crew’s emotional journey in Stowaway.
🛒 Stowaway Related Products
- The Martian: A Novel: Explore survival against all odds in this thrilling book.
- LEGO Ideas International Space Station 21321 Building Kit: Build and display this spectacular LEGO Ideas ISS (21321) model. It features 8 adjustable solar panels, posable Canadarm2 and 2 microfigure astronauts to inspire creative construction.
- Interstellar [Blu-ray]: A team of explorers travel through a wormhole in space in an attempt to ensure humanity’s survival.
- Official NASA T-Shirt: Show your support for space exploration with this classic NASA logo t-shirt.
🎧 Soundtrack
Stowaway 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
The ship had already passed the point of no return. They did not have enough fuel to decelerate and then accelerate back to Earth.
The film implies resource limitations and a degree of unforeseen circumstances that led to the lack of a backup. Many viewers find this unrealistic, as real-world missions would typically have redundant systems.
The algae experiment was David’s attempt to create a sustainable source of oxygen for the crew. It was meant to supplement the existing life support systems and potentially provide a long-term solution for future Martian colonization.
🔥 Bonus Content
Why The New Movie “Stowaway” Uses A Very Clever Spacecraft Design To Go To Mars.
Ever wonder about the science behind ‘Stowaway’s’ spacecraft? This video breaks down the clever design choices and mission plan, which are actually pretty legit. It’s fascinating to see how much thought went into the realism!
STOWAWAY Ending Explained!
Confused about the ending of ‘Stowaway’? This video explains it all! I think it really clarifies the characters’ choices and the overall message. Definitely worth a watch if you want to fully grasp what happened.
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