Sputnik

As the scientist who becomes attracted to her patient, Akinshina gives a strong performance...

"Sputnik" is a reminder of the mixed-bag experience that so many of them offer: It's an efficient, effects-driven ride with snippets of real ideas, but never quite willing to take them out of this world.

Most of all, I recommend Sputnik for its monster, which will slither then stalk and snake into your brain...

I found this movie a little bit generic... I am really tired of these slithery things that just screech a lot. We really need new creature animation.

It has the sensibility of [Andrei] Tarkovsky, but it also has the rage and thriller aspects of Ridley Scott.

Sputnik sets its scene with a modicum of fuss and a healthy dose of ominousness...Sputnik nonetheless has a concept ideal for follow-up installments.

Abramenko is constantly moving his story forward whether it’s through the chilling mystery or character growth.

The creepy alien effects are excellent and the performances are top-notch, if a little cold on Akinshina's part. However, the film's plot twists don't roll out with quite as much of a bang as they should, largely because we've seen much of this before.

Utilizing an impressive creature design along with moody cinematography and a fantastic score, what’s presented is an effectively creepy monster movie that plays right into the strengths of the genre.

It's a little long (just under two hours), but it feels so unlike anything of recent vintage that one can't help but relax into its deliberate rhythm.