Event Horizon’s Hellish Streaming Debut

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The 1997 science fiction horror classic, “Event Horizon,” produced by Paul W.S. Anderson, is now available for streaming at no cost. Starting March 1st, viewers can stream this underappreciated ’90s sci-fi gem on Tubi without paying a penny. However, keep in mind that you’ll encounter some ads during your viewing experience. This intriguing science fiction film will join Tubi’s collection of sci-fi titles, including “The Creator,” “Real Steel,” and “War of the Worlds.

Event Horizon

Storyline: The story revolves around the crew of the spaceship Lewis and Clark as they venture out on a daring rescue mission. The objective? To investigate the mysterious reappearance of the vanished spaceship, the Event Horizon, near Neptune. This enigmatic vessel had been missing from the galaxy for seven years until it inexplicably resurfaced, sending out a distress signal. As they delve deeper into this mystery, the crew is joined by one of the Event Horizon’s creators, a brilliant scientist (portrayed by Sam Neill in an electrifying performance), who enlightens them about the unique technology aboard the ship that enables interdimensional travel.

Upon gaining access to the Event Horizon, the team encounters nothing but the remnants of its initial crew, yet the ship’s gravity drive, an eerie device in a chilling room capable of manipulating space and time, remains operational. They uncover hints about the ship’s past and recent whereabouts, and all signs suggest that the Event Horizon might be a vessel capable of transporting individuals to the very depths of Hell. Considering this possibility, perhaps Hell is merely another dimension, one that we are unable to perceive despite it existing right above us.

In the process of making “Event Horizon”, it encountered significant challenges due to another high-profile movie from Paramount Pictures that was slated for release around the same time – James Cameron’s “Titanic”. Production issues with the disaster biopic caused delays in its release, pushing Anderson to expedite the production of his sci-fi film and commit to editing it within a short span. However, studio intervention and executive decisions led to alterations in the final cut.

After its premiere, numerous viewers perceived the movie as disjointed, and they argued that the studio edits were noticeable. Regrettably, Event Horizon underperformed at the box office, earning just $42 million against a production budget of $60 million. The film’s critical appraisal was equally unfavorable, and this sentiment persists today, with Event Horizon scoring 35% on the Tomatometer at Rotten Tomatoes. However, the audience rating, or Popcornmeter, is slightly better but still low, with a score of 62%. Despite these initial negative reviews, the film has gained renewed appreciation in certain circles (particularly among horror enthusiasts) in the 28 years since its release.

‘Event Horizon’ Was an Expensive Disaster That Aged Like Fine Wine

Despite flopping at the cinema, the movie found its audience through strong DVD sales. Over time, it developed a devoted cult fanbase, with many viewers eventually appreciating the film more. Looking back, it might not have been as poorly received by critics as initially thought; rather, it was excessively bold and peculiar – qualities that some people find appealing.

Despite some shortcomings in certain performances, the movie, Event Horizon, boasts impressive special effects and makeup that still impress today. Michael Kamen’s haunting score adds to the film’s chilling atmosphere. The cast, including Laurence Fishburne, Kathleen Quinlan, Joely Richardson, Sam Neill, Jason Isaacs, Richard T. Jones, and Jack Noseworthy, among others, generally deliver strong performances. Although it didn’t quite reach its full potential, Event Horizon had all the elements needed to create a truly unsettling yet intelligent sci-fi horror masterpiece – a cinematic experience that, in some parallel universe perhaps, was fully realized.

In a nutshell, Anderson repeatedly expressed his discontent that the studio had drastically reduced his 130-minute initial cut of the film. This original version delved deeply into the supernatural dimension theme, which is one of the most captivating elements in the movie. Moreover, it included more graphic violence and gore, likely leading to some trimmings by the studio. Regrettably, when they attempted to assemble a director’s cut, they discovered that the footage had gone missing, leaving us wondering if Anderson’s original version would have been superior. Unfortunately, we can only speculate about the portrayal of Hell. Nevertheless, what remains is still an intriguing and eerie cult classic.

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2025-03-03 15:31