Aaron Paul’s ‘Ash’ Hits 100% on Rotten Tomatoes – Must-See Sci-Fi Horror!

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As a die-hard cinema enthusiast, I’m absolutely thrilled about Aaron Paul’s latest foray into the realm of sci-fi/horror – “Ash” – which had its grand debut at this year’s SXSW Film Festival. With the first reviews now circulating online, it seems like the anticipation was worth it!

In this mind-bending adventure, Aaron Paul shares the screen with none other than the talented star from “The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare,” whose name I’ve yet to learn. The film is the creative work of the multi-talented Steven D. Bingley-Ellison, better recognized by his stage name Flying Lotus.

The initial trailer for the movie sent my senses reeling a month ago, but based on the early reviews, it appears that the full experience is an unsettlingly beautiful, surreal horror journey that should not be missed!

Following its debut at SXSW, the movie Ash has garnered universal acclaim with a flawless rating of 100% on Rotten Tomatoes. The reviews suggest that the film skillfully combines science fiction elements with horror conventions while Flying Lotus masterfully twists these tropes. Jamie Broadnax from Black Girl Nerds expressed, “Ash is ideal for enthusiasts of psychological sci-fi horror.” She further stated, “Featuring intense performances, a tense ambiance, and a story that resonates deeply, this film is a successful fusion of fear, recollection, self-identity, and endurance.” This sentiment is echoed by Nicolás Delgadillo from Discussing Film who wrote:

The album “Ash” by Flying Lotus is an extraordinary work of cosmic horror, beautifully executed with unending panache. Notably, Eiza González delivers a standout performance that marks the pinnacle of her career.

Zachary Lee from RogerEbert.com gave the film a 3.75 rating, acknowledging that it isn’t perfect but knows when to twist genre conventions and when to adhere to them. Similarly, EJ Moreno of Flickering Myth found that Eiza González delivers a standout performance in the film. They described the movie as “strange and thought-provoking,” with Flying Lotus offering a unique addition to the sci-fi horror genre. Remarkably, Eiza González’s captivating portrayal grounds all the oddities presented in the film. Glenn Garner of Deadline went as far as to compare Ash’s sci-fi concept and quality to Ridley Scott’s Alien.

In simpler terms, “Lotus considers González to be his version of Ripley. She convincingly takes on the role of the ‘last girl standing,’ delivering a compelling portrayal of fearful yet passionate acting, featuring intense battle scenes and numerous meaningful, ominous undertones.

What Is ‘Ash’ All About?

In a fresh twist reminiscent of the iconic “Alien” space horror trope, Ash offers a new perspective with its protagonist, Riya, played by Gonzalez. Riya discovers, upon awakening in a spaceship, that her crew has been viciously murdered. When Brion (Paul) arrives to save her, they collaborate to uncover the truth behind their crew’s fate and determine whether or not she can rely on him. The official summary reads:

“Riya, the final girl in space, must navigate a deadly mystery when she finds herself stranded aboard a spaceship with only one potential ally, Brion.

As a devoted movie enthusiast, I found myself in the gripping tale of a woman who awakes on an alien planet, horrified by the brutal slaying of her space crew. The man sent to retrieve me raises questions about trustworthiness, but as we delve into the mystery behind the killings, I can’t help but ponder if she’s truly innocent or part of a sinister plot…

Initially, a select group of critics were given an early viewing of the movie at SXSW, but the rest of us won’t have to wait much longer as Ash is scheduled for a wider release. Specifically, it will be available in selected theaters on Mar. 21.

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2025-03-13 18:03