IO

The movie IO, released in 2019, is an American science fiction film. It provides the viewers with a dystopian future scenario where Earth, as we know it, can no longer sustain life. The movie stars Margaret Qualley, Anthony Mackie, and Danny Huston and directed by Jonathan Helpert. The script has been penned by Clay Jeter, Charles Spano, and Will Basanta.

IO tells the story of Earth's imminent downfall, where excessive pollution and ecological imbalance have wreaked havoc on the planet. Most of the planet's population has abandoned Earth to live in a colony orbiting Io, one of Jupiter's moons, hence, the eponymous title of the movie, IO.

The protagonist of this film is Sam Walden, played by Margaret Qualley, who happens to be one of the last surviving humans dwelling on a nearly desolated Earth. She is a young scientist who has been left all alone after her father's departure, and she is determined to find a way for humans to adapt and survive on the drastically altered Earth. The character of Sam Walden is well-rounded, and Qualley injected it with a thoughtful, independent spirit that captures and holds the viewers’ attention throughout the film.

Living in the mountains where the air is still breathable, Sam is conducting experiments to adapt bees to the toxic environment in the belief that if bees can survive, humans can follow. With an unwavering resolve, she tries to preserve the deteriorating balance of life on Earth single-handedly. Sam believes she can reverse the apocalypse and regenerate the Earth back to its original habitable state, which is a sizeable subplot within the movie.

Anthony Mackie plays Micah, a man who stumbles across Sam's path. Mackie, known for his Marvel cinematic universe exploits, brings his charisma in creating the character Micah, a man from another Earth colony. He brings an alternative perspective of surrender and escape to a safer world outside Earth. Hus character becomes a key change agent in the storyline, pushing the central storyline towards a decisive climax.

Danny Huston plays the role of Dr. Harry Walden, Sam’s father, who was previously a renowned scientist. His appearances in the film are largely through old video messages that Sam watches, providing a deeper background on Sam’s pursuit and her motivation.

The movie is not your typical sci-fi fare peppered with lots of high-tech gadgets and alien species. Instead, it dives into a poignant philosophical exploration about the human spirit, resilience, survival, and our connection with our homeworld. Its lazy burn atmospheric designs are probably one of its high points, which instill a sense of loneliness and despair yet also cultivating hope.

IO's cinematography fabulously represents a gloomy, deserted Earth with an eerie silence that conveys volumes about the devastation that has occurred. The landscapes are beautifully shot, with a contrast between the lush green mountains where Sam lives and the desolate wide-open plains representing the rest of the Earth.

On the whole, IO is a thought-provoking film that paints a bleak picture of a dystopian future while maintaining a powerful message about hope, love, and survival of humanity. So, if you're a fan of character-driven science fiction tales, IO should be an interesting watch.