With ‘Ash’, Flying Lotus Elevates A Familiar Sci-Fi Story With Stunningly Hellish Visuals [SXSW 2025 Review]
A character waking up alone with no memory of how they got there is a pretty common conceit, especially in science fiction films and stories. It’s a great way to create a mystery, but it’s a story structure that can become formulaic. But, in his new feature film, Ash, artist and filmmaker Flying Lotus uses stunning visuals, cosmic horror nightmares, and detailed world-building to keep such a story feeling fresh. Plus, stellar core performances by Eiza Gonzalez and Aaron Paul keep the viewer invested and floored by the film’s central mystery.
Ash begins with Riya (Gonzalez) waking up alone in a lab on a strange planet with no memory of who she is and how she got there. All she knows is that she has a head injury and that she needs to find a way out ASAP. As she’s gathering her bearings, crew member Brion (Paul) appears, shocked but relieved to find her alive. Together, they try to piece together the mystery and find a way off the planet.
But as time progresses, Riya’s memories start to come back, revealing the violent truth about what’s unfolded with the doomed crew. To reveal anything else would ruin the experience of Ash, especially when it comes to its third act reveals. While Jonni Remmler‘s script contains quite a few predictable story beats, those fall to the wayside as you see how Flying Lotus reveals said information in surprising and gorgeous ways.
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From the film’s opening seconds, Flying Lotus adopts red and purple lighting to create a more psychedelic feeling sci-fi landscape. As Riya wanders outside onto the planet’s surface, the sky pulsates with kaleidoscopic glory, reminiscent of biblically accurate angels with countless wings and endlessly blinking eyes. A practically rendered set for the space station and the planet’s surface helps ground Ash as Riya takes in the impossible sky. And while there are moments of purely digital effects, certain climactic moments are crafted practically in ways reminiscent of John Carpenter’s The Thing. It just takes a little while to get there.
Flying Lotus and DP Richard Bluck also film key moments of tension through a first-person perspective not unlike what you’d experience while playing a first-person horror game like Resident Evil. We truly get to occupy Riya’s most intense moments as she fights for her life. Plus, graphic overlays make it feel like you’re wearing that helmet, while also helping build the film’s intricate world.
More than graphic overlays, the world-building on display is seen through things like unique space suits and retro medical bots. It’s an economical way of storytelling as these objects both have crucial functions and tell a story about a crew operating with outdated, but still effective, technology. This isn’t a state-of-the-art situation, but they get by.
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Bringing it all together is a star-making performance for Eiza Gonzalez, who plays Riya with a steadfast conviction to learn the truth. She’s stubborn but smart, unafraid and ready to fight with everything she’s got. Previous to Ash, she often played supporting roles. Now, she showcases her ability to emotionally and physically carry such a demanding character with ease. Opposite Gonzalez is a similar great Paul, who matches her emotional intensity as both rush to get off the planet. Together, they ensure the tension never wavers, no matter the nightmarish revelations.
Ash is a bloody, moody, sci-fi journey through the looking glass. Flying Lotus takes a familiar story and warps it into a slowly maddening nightmare soaked in bodily fluids and janky robotics. This is another knock-out premiere at SXSW, a stunning addition to Flying Lotus’ growing filmography of disturbing odysseys through hell. More horror roles for Eiza Gonzalez, please.
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Ash (2025)
Categorized: Reviews
