"Ariana DeBose Faces Earth's Crisis in 'I.S.S.' Space Thriller"

In the slow-burning thriller "I.S.S.," director Gabriela Cowperthwaite's competent direction of Nick Shafir's script focuses on the tense relations between American astronauts and Russian cosmonauts aboard the International Space Station as war breaks out on Earth. The film, which may be better suited as a stage play, features a strong performance from Ariana DeBose but lacks the expected intensity and compelling action. Despite timely themes related to current U.S.-Russia relations, the movie falls short of fully embracing its political potential, leaving it with a missed opportunity for a more impactful narrative.