Netflix has become the king of releasing lost films. These films are those which wouldn’t normally have a theatrical release and would end up being lost or becoming a straight to DVD title. Some films might belong in this category and they’re straight to DVD for a reason, however, others deserve a little bit more limelight for what they are. As
IO follows the story of a dystopian future where the Earth’s environment has been destroyed by humans. Humananity takes to the stars and tries to find a new world to live on whilst a girl, Sam, and many others stay on Earth because they believe that the planet will fix itself and life will be able to live on Earth again. One day Micah, played by Anthony Mackie, arrives at Sam’s farm and he and Sam must decide whether to stay or go join the colony in space.
I can see why studios were cautious to release IO in cinemas, it’s been in release limbo for a few years now. IO isn’t your top-notch sci-fi film and it also isn’t easy to get through. Similar to last year’s Netflix hit Annihilation, IO spends more of its time
IO then becomes something that you need to watch twice to start to analyse and understand. It isn’t simply a story about how two survivors are trying ot escape Earth but is rather a lecture on the destruction of our planet and whether we should fight for it or leave it behind. Sam is an itelligent woman who is trying to learn about the world before, the world before it was unlivable. She is trying to learn mythology and trying to understand her place in everything.
As Sam’s story evolves the viewer starts to be taught the same mythology. This makes IO more of an interesting case study then a film. Science fiction films about the Earth being destroyed are obviously plentifyful but IO is one of the better ones. it’s short run time of an hour and a half is easy to sit through without being bored. It’s cinematography and elegant score is pleasent to watch and hear and that makes it easier to watch. Other films with the same story can be long and confusing, making viewers switch off or the film bombing at the box office.
IO’s discussion about our place on Earth and how we must adapt to save our planet is very important. It isn’t exactly going to make anyone who doesn’t already recycle and use renewable energies change their lives but it can help start a conversation about it. The acting and directing