Few filmmakers jump so elegantly between the different genres back and forth like Danny Boyle. The British director celebrated his international breakthrough with the drug drama Trainspotting. In the years that followed, he made one unexpected film and career decision after another.
From the Bollywood homage Slumdog Millionaire to the zombie horror 28 Days Later to the mindfuck thriller Trance: Boyle even filmed the life of Steve Jobs and made a Beatles rom-com with Yesterday. And then there’s the outstanding sci-fi film Sunshine.
Great sci-fi movie: In Sunshine, the sun is dying and humanity is making a last-ditch effort to save it
The story of Sunshine begins in 2057. The sun is dying and humanity on earth fears for its survival. For this reason, a mission is sent: The Ikarus should rekindle the sun. But then the spaceship disappears without a trace in the darkness of space. A second mission is launched.
You can watch the trailer for Sunshine here:
Sunshine – Trailer (German)
From now on we find ourselves on board the Ikarus II. It quickly becomes clear that we are not just following a mixture of science fiction and the end of time. Boyle adds mystery and psychological thriller elements to the plot, meanwhile venturing into real horror terrain with an existential touch and finally ends on an absolutely epic note.
Although the Ikarus II is heading straight for the sun, the film breaks several genre barriers and constantly changes tone. The great thing is: Boyle manages to combine the many different influences into one nerve wracking story put together convincingly. Sunshine captivates until the last second.
*. .