
If you’re familiar with movies like “Buried” (starring Ryan Reynolds) and the superior “127 Hours” (starring James Franco), then you probably know what to expect from Netflix’s latest french Sci-Fi thriller “Oxygen”. Melanie Laurent commands the screen as a woman who wakes up in a cryogenic chamber with no recollection of how she got there. There’s also a twist: her oxygen level is running low, giving her a limited time to find a way out. I won’t reveal more, but I will say that if you’re claustrophobic, you might be put off by the film’s harsh atmosphere. Much like “Buried”, the whole movie takes place in the cryogenic chamber, which means we’re right there with Laurent’s character, struggling with her as she desperately tries to save herself. I can’t say that I enjoyed every bit of this experience, but the film does succeed in delivering an emotional ride, even when things don’t always stay on track. Would I want to go through it again? Probably not. But there’s still plenty to enjoy here, especially if you’re a fan of the genre.
Categories: 2.5/4, sci-fi, The Twenty-First Century, thriller