The start of a new month means the biggest streaming service adds a bunch of titles to its library. With the start of the spooky season, you might expect a few horror movies, but in this case, I want to highlight the underrated sci-fi action movie “Elysium” that just landed on Netflix.
I'll admit I don’t usually reach for big-budget sci-fi, yet this movie ended up being a pleasant surprise. Starring Matt Damon and sharing major vibes with “Mad Max,” this movie is set on a near-future Earth where the ultra-rich live on a luxurious space station while everyone else struggles to survive on a polluted, crumbling planet.
While “Elysium” grossed over $280 million worldwide back in 2013, it quickly slipped from the spotlight after critics gave it middling reviews and other big releases like the “Percy Jackson” sequel and hit comedy “We’re the Millers” came out at the same time. Now, with its arrival on Netflix, there’s a good chance it’ll crack the top 10, and I think it deserves a spot.
Before streaming it, here’s everything you need to know about “Elysium” and why it deserves a place on your Netflix watchlist.
What is ‘Elysium’ about?
“Elysium” is set in the year 2154, where Earth has become overpopulated and polluted, while the wealthy live on a luxurious space station called Elysium. The story follows Max Da Costa (Matt Damon), a factory worker who suffers a workplace accident that leaves him with a terminal injury.
Desperate for a cure only available on Elysium, Max goes on a dangerous mission to reach the station, aided by a small group of smugglers. Meanwhile, his childhood friend Frey (Alice Braga) struggles to care for her sick daughter, and Elysium’s security chief, Jessica Delacourt (Jodie Foster), is determined to protect the station from those trying to board it.
‘Elysium’ is a visually stunning sci-fi epic
The biggest compliment I can give “Elysium” is that it’s a visually stunning treat. Given its juicy $115 million budget, I expected nothing less, and with it being a sci-fi spectacle, I’m glad this movie paid attention to the finest details of its world.
This includes shots of dystopian-looking Earth, with barren wastelands and upgraded vehicles very reminiscent of “Mad Max” (not to mention the main character is literally called Max and wears a powered exoskeleton). Then there are shots of the pristine space station where wealthy people flaunt their wealth amid lush greenery and glossy white buildings.
Everything about this movie screams sci-fi in the loudest way possible, and that’s not a bad thing. Because with visuals this strong and a world so fleshed out as we flick between Earth and Elysium, it’s easy to overlook some of the movie’s flaws in storytelling and character development.
In fact, “Elysium” is probably one of the best-looking movies I’ve ever seen, and that’s saying a lot because I’ve watched my fair share of sci-fi flicks. While the movie primarily spends its time showing the harsh living conditions on Earth (including overflowing hospitals, dangerous working conditions, and dust-filled streets), I do wish we got to see more contrast in Elysium and how such a place functions in space.
Still, I guarantee anyone looking for a blockbuster will find themselves hooked on this movie, because once the action kicks in, you won’t be able to look away. And Matt Damon clearly has fun rocking big guns and going full Terminator-strength mode with his exoskeleton armor.
Sadly, “Elysium” does feel hollow, and that’s to be expected when a movie of this size focuses on visuals and action (since that’s what people often want). The story is interesting enough to keep you engaged, with Damon’s character, Max, determined to reach Elysium so he can cure his radiation poisoning. But things get messy when his childhood friend Frey gets caught up in the mix with her sick daughter. It’s unclear whether they were meant to be lovers, as the flashbacks only reveal their bond as kids, and they don’t get as much screen time together as you might expect.
The characters themselves don’t really get much development, not even Max. Damon offers a great performance, as always, but this time it’s not enough to make much of an impact. Side characters like Max’s friend Julio (Diego Luna), Elysium Defense Secretary Delacourt (Foster), and the psychopathic Agent M. Kruger (Sharlto Copley) feel especially hollow.
Even so, I feel the visuals alone are enough to save the movie, because I was pretty much in awe the entire time watching “Elysium.”
Stream ‘Elysium’ on Netflix now
“Elysium” is essentially a visually stunning sci-fi epic that ultimately feels a bit hollow. And while that might sound like a negative, I think the world-building and cinematography alone are enough to carry the movie. Fans of “Mad Max” will probably enjoy it even more, given its dystopian setting and Damon sporting some seriously impressive armor.
As mentioned before, critics weren’t hugely sold on this movie. “Elysium” holds a pretty average score of 64% on Rotten Tomatoes, with audiences rating it even lower at 58%. The site’s critics consensus reads: “After the heady sci-fi thrills of District 9, Elysium is a bit of a comedown for director Neill Blomkamp, but on its own terms, it delivers just often enough to satisfy.”
While I disagree with these low scores, I do think this is a slightly weaker effort from Blomkamp. Still, there’s enough blood-pumping action here to satisfy hardcore genre fans, and I’m fairly confident it will make a splash on Netflix in the coming days.
Stream "Elysium" on Netflix now.
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