Rubikon Blu-ray Movie

Rating summary

Movie		2.5
Video		4.5
Audio		5.0
Extras		0.0
Overall		3.0

Rubikon Blu-ray Movie Review

Gravity rides everything.

Reviewed by Randy Miller III December 18, 2022

Visually exceeding its modest €3 million production budget, Leni Lauritsch’s insular sci-fi thriller Rubikon feels like a stage play with Gravity-like ambitions whose script and performances rarely work on the same frequency as everything else. It's a talky, ponderous affair for long stretches, though one that at least has the sense to frame its three-person drama in front a of a unique, memorable backdrop with a familiar but fitting hook: spinning high above post-apocalyptic Earth, three of an unknown number of human survivors bide their time on a self-sustaining space station (thanks to the presence of oxygen-producing algae cultures) while those outside the protection of Air Domes suffer below.

"Last survivor" dramas are certainly nothing new, but Rubikon's approach to the material -- after a somewhat eye-rolling opening wall of expositional text -- works decently enough because it adds two unique seasonings to the stew. The first is its treatment of people vs. technology: at several moments during the story, primary survivors Commander Hannah Wagner (Julia Franz Richter), Dr. Gavin Abbott (George Blagden), and Dr. Dimitri Krylow (Mark Ivanir) are faced with life-or-death decisions that hinge on human ability in the wake of mechanical failure. The second is a combination of guilt and paranoia: not only do our three key characters -- who are temporarily flanked by a few other guests, which doesn't last long -- struggle with the choice to help others by risking themselves, but their varied backgrounds make it difficult to trust one another. This builds to a degree of tension during the third act, with earlier stretches mostly being carried by smaller emergencies and even a bit of predictable but inoffensive romance between two of them.

Where Rubkion ultimately falls short is in its uneven pacing; this is exacerbated by the somewhat underwhelming performances by two of its three leads, as well as a relatively thin script that just doesn't have enough substance or sharp dialogue to support its otherwise engaging core story. I'm all for close-quarters filmmaking with a small roster of characters, B-movie budget or not, but Rubikon sadly doesn't deliver enough of that crucial suspense and intrigue to justify even its modest 110-minute running time. While most first-time viewers won't exactly be checking their watches regularly, neither will they be sitting on the edge of their seats or clamoring to watch it again after the credits roll. It's simply there and, while its strong production values and special effects clearly pull their own weight, that's not exactly a worthwhile substitute for what really matters in a story: human connection and overwhelming interest.

For a similarly lukewarm take on the material, please read Brian Orndorf's theatrical review.

Not surprisingly, I'd only recommend IFC Films' new Blu-ray package to established fans of the film: it really is a solid movie-only disc that nicely supports Rubkion's rock-solid A/V merits compared to streaming counterparts. Otherwise, the disappointing lack of bonus features makes this Blu-ray about $10 too expensive for a safe blind buy.

Rubikon Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Presented in a fittingly wide and occasionally claustrophobic 2.39:1 aspect ratio, Rubikon's great production design and special effects are served well by IFC's 1080p transfer, which shines with a satisfyingly tight image on this movie-only disc. Fine detail, textures, shadows, black levels, and contrast all hold steady from start to finish, with its unsurprisingly deep tones and stylish palette leaving the most immediate impression. Its three-person setup allows for a variety of triangular compositions while the mixture of fear and paranoia also leaves room for visual creativity, although Rubikon features more static and slow-moving shots than hand-held, kinetic bursts. It really is an impressive-looking film that goes toe to toe with projects made on five or even ten times its budget, ensuring that corners weren't cut to maintain the illusion of total isolation in space after an apocalyptic event down on Earth. One giant leap, indeed.

Rubikon Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

Even more impressive is Rubikon's DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio track, which features a smart mix of mostly front-heavy dialogue and plenty of subtle and occasionally overwhelming atmospheric touches to aid in its illusion of realism while anchoring a few of its sparsely suspenseful sequences. These moments come in the form of discrete effects, the original score, and some rather strong background panning, whether surprising sonic touches creep in from the edges or flat-out hit us by surprise; all told, it achieves an effective quiet-loud dynamic without sounding overcooked or exhausting. Although I certainly had a few issues with the film's script and pacing, its A/V merits truly are first-rate... and as much as its 1080p transfer supports the strong visuals, this surround mix is even more carefully-balanced and memorable. I'm not saying to try it just for the audio experience, but those more swayed by sonic activity may find themselves tipped over the fence if a few other elements of this production don't prove to be quite as engaging.

Optional English (SDH) and Spanish subtitles are included during the main feature. Despite its largely international cast and country of origin (Austria), Rubikon is a mostly English-only production although a few short scenes are spoken in German while forced English translation subtitles are generated by your player.

Rubikon Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

This one-disc release ships in a standard keepcase with no slipcover and a promotional insert. Disappointingly but perhaps not surprisingly, no extras are included. Two international Blu-ray releases will be available from German and French distributors in January and March of next year, although no specs have been announced yet.

Rubikon Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

The somewhat heady themes and good intentions behind Leni Lauritsch's Rubikon may have been unfairly brushed aside by yours truly, but it's pretty easy to see that the film's visual effects and production design are where most of its focus and polish went. Yet there's still a certainly level of appeal to this film that may age better than expected, even if the end product doesn't feel all that memorable in the moment. Those who take a liking to Rubikon's strengths will at least love IFC Films' Blu-ray, which thankfully serves up an outstanding A/V presentation; sadly, its currently high price tag and total lack of bonus features more or less cripple any real recommendation for a blind buy.