Filmmaker, composer, actor and a man of many trades Flying Lotus provides us with his latest cinematic venture with the sci-fi horror thriller Ash. A film that delves deep into the psyche of its characters while plunging audiences into an unrelenting nightmare, Ash brings a fresh take to the genre by fusing existential terror with visceral thrills. Starring Eiza González as Riya and Aaron Paul as Brion, the film takes viewers on a relentless journey through trust, identity, and survival.
The film’s premise revolves around trust and survival as we first meet the character Riya played by Eiza Gonzalez. Gonzalez, who is no stranger to this genre, playing in action-packed sci-fi thrillers such as 3 Body Problem and Bloodshot, is back as a woman who finds herself completely disoriented in the worst way. The reason? Her entire crew was slaughtered and she is surrounded by the grisly remains of their corpses. Before Riya can even process what happened, Brion (Aaron Paul) arrives claiming he can help her. However, Riya is reluctant to accept his friendly gesture. Is Brion someone to be trusted? Or does he have his own sinister motives? And who killed Riya’s crew?
Director Flying Lotus provides the viewer with stunning visuals throughout this film, showing his cinematic sensibilities as both an artist and a storyteller. The music is palpable and creates that element of nerve-wracking horror one would expect in this genre. As he recalled a conversation with Guillermo del Toro, the words “Don’t direct the movies that you need to make, direct the movies that need you to make them” resonated deeply, and it’s clear that Ash is one such film. This is a story that demands to be told, one that grips the audience in its icy claws and never lets go.
Much of the film hinges on the performances of its actors, and there is some heavy weight to carry from both Gonzalez and Paul as the film’s two leads. The two rise to the occasion and certainly give their all. I will say there are times where the dialogue gets a bit too heavy-handed with the monologuing, and the pacing is a bit slower than I would like. An edit here and there would have been ideal in some scenes, but overall, the performances of these two were spot on.Â
The claustrophobic interiors give just enough to provide that sense of dread that something bad is going to happen, and when the jump scares occurred they certainly paid off. As far as the special effects were concerned, it’s pretty clear that the budget was cut in that department as some of the effects looked a bit cheesy. The intense gore makeup effect makes up for what the film’s special effects couldn’t deliver. The tired eyes, deepened facial lines, cracked alien skin all look great on screen. The prosthetic effects used to create the creature designs, and body horror elements certainly add to the film’s eerie and unsettling tone.
Ash does provide interesting twists that you don’t see coming, which makes it a pretty compelling narrative. The key themes of trust and survival in this story are what keep the viewer guessing, as well as who are we rooting for. Riya’s journey is not just about survival but about rediscovering who she is and what she is capable of in a world that has erased her past. The film explores the terrifying notion that identity is fragile, and when memory is stripped away, what remains? Are we still ourselves, or do we become something new that is shaped purely by instinct and immediate experience? The psychological tension in the film hinges on this idea, making every interaction between Riya and Brion fraught with the underlying question: Can we trust who we are if we don’t remember who we were?
I would say that Ash does elect to choose substance over spectacle because the themes in this story are more cerebral and substantive than the film’s effects. Granted, the film visually is stunning. The cinematography is gorgeous with its beautiful hues of red, purple, and blue illuminating so brightly; its significance feels very prominent like a supporting character.
However, while the special effects of this film is shortsighted, the story of Ash has a deeper and more profound meaning that is to be explored. Ash is for fans of psychological sci-fi horror. With gripping performances, a relentless atmosphere, and a story that permeates, this film is a triumphant blend of fear, memory, identity, and survival.
Ash made its premiere at the 2025 SXSW Film & TV Festival and will be released in theaters on March 21, 2025.
