Jake Gyllenhaal’s 2017 sci-fi horror with 67% on Rotten Tomatoes,Life, had one of the most terrifying endings in the genre. With a star-studded cast including Ryan Reynolds and Rebecca Ferguson,Lifefollows six scientists who are sent to space to discover if extraterrestrial life exists. The movie is intense from start to finish with twists that keep viewers enthralled. Despite receiving mixed reviews from critics,Lifewas popular with audiences and ranks as one ofJake Gyllenhaal’s best movies– in no small part thanks to its genuinely traumatizing and bleak ending.
Like manyhorror movies set in space,Lifeexploited numerous tropes popular within the genre– such as a killer alien lifeform and isolated protagonists. However, despite some derivative elements, the film remains unique because of its unpredictable and terrifying ending. The underrated sci-fi horror exceeded expectations because it did something that most movies in that genre typically do not do, daring to end without humanity triumphing. While it’s obvious thatLifewas inspired by other movies that have a similar premise, the film’s intriguing twist sets it apart from similar sci-fi horror movies.
Gyllenhaal’s Character Makes It To Earth In Life (But Dooms The Entire Planet)
David’s Arrival On Earth Set Up The Film’s Shocking Ending
After the scientists discovered that Calvin was dangerous, they tried to kill the Martian, but he survived all their attempts to take him down. Calvin eventually kills everyone on the spaceship and only David, Gyllenhaal’s character, and Miranda, played by Rebecca Ferguson, survive. The two scientists knew that Calvin couldn’t reach Earthbecause he grew by feeding on organic matter. His arrival on Earth would mean doom for the human race. So David and Miranda come up with a plan to prevent that from happening.
Jake Gyllenhaal’s Underrated Sci-Fi Movie From 7 Years Ago Flipped Hollywood’s Oldest Horror Trope
Life features an all-star cast a seemingly familiar sci-fi horror premise, yet managed to successfully subvert expectations with one twist.
David was meant to lure Calvin into outer space while Miranda went to warn the people on Earth. Unfortunately, it was David’s pod, which also contained Calvin, that arrived on the planet and was discovered by fishermen. Although David tried to warn the fishermen not to open the pod, they didn’t heed his advice. The fishermen pried open the pod’s door, thus setting upLife’s shocking endingand dooming Earth and all life to destruction.
Life’s Ending Made It Stand Out From Other Space Horror Movies
Life Reinvented The Sci-Fi Horror Genre
From the beginning, it was clear thatLifewouldn’t be a typical space horror movie. Rory, played by Ryan Reynolds, was killed off first, although it seemed like he would be the last man standing due to Reynolds being a huge star.Rory’s death set the tone of the filmand made audiences know that no one was safe.Alientook a similar approach with its characters. InAlien, it also wasn’t clear who would survive until later in the movie, especially after Kane’s dramatic death and Dallas' terrifying chase through the Nostromo’s air ducts.
While a potential sequel featuring the destruction of Earth is potentially possible, Mars' fate inLifealready revealed the outcome.
AlthoughLifedrew inspiration fromAlienand had some similarities with the classic horror sci-fi film, it reinvented the genre because ultimately everyone died. The heroes’ plan to save Earth failed and the villain won. While a potential sequel featuring the destruction of Earth is potentially possible, Mars' fate inLifealready revealed the outcome. As such, it seems likely that a follow-up will never happen – with the terrifying implications of the movie’s ending remaining.
Life
Cast
A six-member crew is tasked with studying a sample from Mars that may be the first proof of extra-terrestrial life.
