Beyond The Trek

Beyond the Trek is a thought-provoking and intense space thriller debuted in 2017. Directed by Ian Truitner, this film has captivated audiences who love interstellar tales and the formidable field of deep space exploration.

In the movie, audiences are taken on a unique star voyage with a crew of astronauts aboard the spaceship dubbed 'Teleios'. The cast includes well-known faces like Sunny Mabrey, known for her powerful performances in well-regarded productions like Snake On A Plane, alongside other notable actors like Lance Broadway, famous for his role in Olympia, and T.J. Hoban, who's no stranger to thrilling action with his previous roles in shows like It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia.

Set in the exciting and often terrifying expanse of deep space, Beyond the Trek delves into the heart-stopping journey of five genetically enhanced humans who have been intentionally bred and trained for deep space exploration by an organization known as GPSC - the Global Space Commission. These genetically modified humans were designed to be superior in every way – physically, intellectually, emotionally - an attribute that is expected to lead to survival and success in the harsh, uncharted territories of deep space.

However, the main storyline begins when this crew is sent on a rescue mission to salvage a mining space ship known as Atromitos, After receiving a distress call from the ship, reported to have gone dark around the orbit of Titan, the Teleios team is charged with the task of retrieving the invaluable cargo and investigating what went wrong on the space drill.

Upon their arrival at the distressed spaceship, the crew is greeted with a scene of confusion and intrigue - the entire team on board the mining spaceship is found dead, leaving one sole survivor behind. This inexplicable scenario sets a tone of suspense and mystery that permeates the entire film as the crew of Teleios, while astoundingly perfect in their abilities, are unprepared for the surprising events that unfold. What's more, they begin to notice anomalies and limitations within themselves, limitations that they were never designed to have.

The real tension begins to bubble when the group, despite their genetic enhancements, begins to grapple with the unfamiliar terrain of human emotions. This psychological disarray soon affects their ability to carry out the mission, opening up a Pandora's box of moral and ethical dilemmas.

The incredible performances of Mabrey and Broadway stand out especially in these emotionally charged scenes, where they battle with the unexpected internal struggle of managing the weight of emotions and the human burden of decision making.

As the name implies, Beyond The Trek goes beyond the typical elements of a space exploration movie. Not only does it throw viewers into the abyss of space, where survival relies upon human ingenuity and bravery, but it also provides deep and challenging questions about humanity, its evolution, and the effects of tampering with natural biological progression.

Taking a very futuristic and technocentric approach to storytelling, this movie consistently questions the limits of scientific advancement and the potential threats it poses to humanity. Consequently, it impressively deals with the concept of perfection and the potential drawbacks of a flawless existence by showing, rather paradoxically, even genetically enhanced humans can indeed "malfunction".

Beyond The Trek successfully manages to create an atmosphere of suspense and intrigue mixed with the classic adrenaline rush of a space adventure. It carefully balances the stark terror of the void - the desolation and isolation of deep space - with an inner examination of what makes one human.

For a retro-futuristic film, the production value is remarkably high. The atmospheric cinematography and special effects beautifully capture the otherworldly isolation of deep space. The film also includes some impressive fight scenes, which add a layer of thrill and excitement to the narrative.

Overall, the film expertly exploits the unique opportunities provided by the setting - the boundless sea of stars, the eerie silence, the peculiar physics of space - to bring something fresh and unusual to the screen. Beyond The Trek is not just about exploring the stars, but about exploring the inner workings of the human mind, our moral construct and the consequences of what happens when we play God. Whether you're a sci-fi fan or not, this movie is sure to leave you reflecting on the human condition long after the credits roll.