A meandering trip between hard science and philosophy
The premise of IO is pretty simple. Earth has become environmentally barren. All of humanity has departed to colonize IO (pronounced “EYE- Oh), a volcanic moon of Jupiter. The only folks left behind are either waiting to depart on Exodus ships or are those dedicated to saving Earth through science.
What is IO?
I really wish I could answer this question. At the beginning, we meet Sam (Margaret Qualley (The Leftovers)), a lone scientist who is testing bacteria, different air chemistries and the effects on bees. She is gathering water samples in the remains of a nearby city. She has a map indicating the many places she has explored, but her efforts so far have failed to find an adaptable set of variables that lead to a replenishable environment.
The first half of the movie simply feels like a less charming reboot of The Martian. Qualley is alone with just tapes of her father’s research. At the midpoint, a stranger arrives via hot air balloon. His name is Micah (Anthony Mackie (Captain America: Winter Soldier)) and he is looking for Sam’s father.
The Challenges of IO
Sam and Micah face a tough decision. They have four days left before the final ships leave Earth for IO. If they’re going to go, Sam must give up her dream of saving the planet. Micah is intent on leaving, which causes some conflict between the two. He also reveals some facts about his life that tie him closer to Sam’s father.
Outside of the plot and the massive criticism from scientists about some of the film’s “science”, there is plenty to critique. The reliance on oxygen seems to waiver from mandatory to optional in several of the movie’s sets. There is an early storm that threatens Sam’s home and greenhouse, making it seem like she had never considered lousy weather before. The dialogue and pace of the movie are slow, with normal conversations seeming like they were shot in slow motion.
Like science, the film relies heavily on philosophy, quoting Plato and the legends of Troy, Zeus and the like. Writers Clay Jeter, Charles Spano and Will Basanta seem to be writing an academic paper on human nature rather than a dramatic sci-fi film. Quagley and Mackie are top shelf actors but this film just feels stuck in quicksand.
Conclusion
IO is an almost minimalist movie that struggles to decide on a theme. Director Jonathon Helpert and Director of Photography Andre Chemetoff offer several beautiful shots of the French countryside, but those don’t save the scope of the film. It’s not filmed or acted poorly, but the writing just seems to meander without settling on a destination.
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