Europa Report

Using a similar documentary/found footage approach to The Blair Witch Project, this follows a group of astronauts on a pioneering mission to the Jupiter moon of Europa. As the group of very well-cast characters go through life-or-death decisions, the film takes the form of a police procedural set in space. The sometimes mundane activities in their routine make the more emotional scenes hit harder, and feel more realistic. There are no grandstanding action scenes, just a lot of thought and an ever-present sense of unease. Much of that atmosphere is down to the diversity of the actors - Michael Nyqvist as a grumpy, guilt-ridden engineer, Anamaria Marinca as the level-headed pilot, and the scientists on Earth (Embeth Davidtz, Dan Fogler) who feel the weight of responsibility as well as history. A lovely work of suspenseful sci-fi, Europa Report forgoes any frills to deliver something plausible and thrilling for those fascinated by the mysteries of the universe.