IO
released 2019
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“IO” is an American, sci-fi, post apocalyptic, Netflix released film produced by Laura Rister, Jason Michael Berman and many more executive producers. It was directed by Jonathan Helpert and written by Clay Jeter, Charles Spano and Will Basanta (who is also an excutive producer.) This is a film with a large crew which includes producers, composers, cinemaographers, editors, Makeup and costume departments, art and sound departments and many more, but its cast of actors is very small. The actors are Anthony Mackie, Margaret Qualley, Danny Huston, Tom Payne, Emma Fitzgerald, Justin Jamieson and Teagan Johnson.

IO IMDb webpage
IO Netflix webpage

“IO” is the story of scientist Sam Walden, played by Margaret Qualley, living on an Earth whose environment is fast running out of pockets of liveable areas. Humanity has abandoned the Earth to live on Io in hopes of of spring boarding to the next closest habitable planet far away. Sam stays behind to pursue the work of her late father Henry, played by Danny Huston, to find a solution to stop and reverse the changing atmosphere. She does not want to leave Earth. Her plans change when a literature teacher named Micah, played by Anthony Mackie, lands via air balloon in her oasis of clean air. He tells her they should head to the launch site of the last shuttle leaving Earth. Sam even has Micah´s child.

Let me start by saying that “IO” is a very good film. It deals with issues like global environmental catastrophes, exodus into space and the new possibilities and choices facing humanity and the individual. It´s a simple film without the exaggerations and stereotypes so many films, especially sci-fi films, fall into. There are no trite and silly action scenes or one liners. It´s also a film with a good ending (I won´t give away spoilers but pay particular attention to the queen bee scene. That will explain the ending and why Sam can do what she does.)

The idea of humanity pushing out into space is not a new one. The only difference today is that we may soon be seeing it happen. Some people will choose space over Terra mater and others will prefer to stay no matter the rewards promised from space travel. While I watched “IO” I got more and more the impression that Earth was not undergoing an extinction level event but a change. The environment was changing for the new life that would occupy it. So Earth would remain fertile and not just a ball of toxic dust floating through the ether. To me, the idea of the Earth being a kind of womb that harbors life and then makes the necessary changes for it to harbor the next species being birthed is a truly beautiful one. I also loved the idea that humanity changes and adapts.

This is a really good film that is worth the watch. The story and ending are fantastic. So enjoy it.

John

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