The Last Days on Mars

In this solid but derivative space horror, a group of scientists at the end of a research mission are preparing to leave the red planet when one of their number goes missing. A rescue party led by captain Elias Koteas and senior engineer Liev Schreiber heads out to search for their colleague, but they discover more than they bargained for. First-time director Ruairi Robinson brazenly wears his sci-fi influences on his sleeve, with Alien and The Thing both predominant touchstones, but he tends to telegraph the spooks and shocks too far in advance. The cast is dependable, even if most of the roles are familiar archetypes, although special mention goes to the ruggedly heroic Schreiber and Olivia Williams as a no-nonsense junior officer.