[yasr_overall_rating]
A deep space mining vessel has been adrift for two years. It is suspected the crew brutally killed each other, but the reason for the bloodbath is unknown. A rescue crew is sent to find if there are any survivors, what happened and why.
Science-fiction is a world in which anything can happen. With that being said, there is a fine line in which a sci-fi film have to walk in order to connect with its viewers. Too far-fetched and you lose the close-to-home aspect of what could be, and if you go in the opposite direction, you are rooted in current situations which don’t intrigue an audience and then you lose the sci-fi element. “Teleios” keeps on the right side of the line and with a strong budget for the feel of the movie, a well-worn but welcoming plot, and well thought out acting methods, this film falls into a good place on the board.
“Teleios” follows a group of genetically modified humans (I called them GMOs throughout the film) who are onboard a ship with the same name. The crew is on a salvage operation for a mining ship that has been abandoned, their crew all killed due to unknown circumstances. While on board, they find two surviving members of the mining ship’s former crew. Together they make their way through the timeline of the ship’s demise, all while uncovering a conspiracy that rocks the Genetics to the core.
The film is good but it could have been a bit better if the story had been concise and not cluttered with the existential questions it raised throughout. That isn’t to say that the questions that are apparent aren’t important, but it could have been structured in a way that it didn’t all hit you at once. Information overload bogs the feel of the film down and doesn’t let it rise to its true potential. As stated in the opening paragraph, the film looks good and really does a great job at immersing the viewer in the deep space world that looks to be well worth the pain that was no doubt felt during its production. It can be related to an upgraded “Star Trek” that deals with the philosophical question of “can perfection be created by imperfect beings?” And the film gives a resounding answer that brings up even more questions which the critical thinker will revel in.
All in all, the film should be high on your watch list. If not for its beauty, then for its strong story that is wrapped in conversation pieces you can dissect for hours.
“Teleois” will screen on October 7th at the 16th Shriekfest: The Los Angeles Horror/Sci-Fi Film Festival in Los Angeles
