As a genre, science fiction cinema has been able to adapt to a variety of stories. Proficiently taking shape as a huge blockbuster or an intimate character piece, sci-fi films have a history of being incredibly diverse. Written and directed by Zeek Earl and Chris Caldwell, Prospect is a new movie that takes a smaller path on the road to becoming the low-budget sci-fi western that you did not know you needed.

Prospect tells the tale of a man and his daughter who must venture onto a foreign planet to mine precious gems. Jay Duplass and Sophie Thatcher play Damon and Cee, the aforementioned duo. Pedro Pascal rounds out the lead cast as the mysterious Ezra, an individual they meet along the way.

While some science fiction releases take a sleek and sexy approach with their design, this film is wonderfully gritty and simple. Depicting technology that seems harshly cobbled together, the universe we visit is refreshingly DIY and distinctively western, allowing for incredible world-building. With hints at a further society through small pieces of dialogue, it is the devices and clothing that does just as much talking. Using very little CGI, the dirty costumes and instruments that we see the actors adorned with is the perfect foundation for the character-driven story above it.

With a setting that plants a seed of intrigue, it is the development of those within it that thrusts the scenes forward. Jay Duplass does a fine job in his role and Sophie Thatcher is a solid main lead, pushing forward the most important arc of the picture. While it is the direction of these characters that forms the main thread of the movie, Pedro Pascal is the one that leaves the biggest impact. Portraying the difficult to read Ezra, his journey intertwines perfectly with Thatcher’s Cee, as we witness their exploration on the forest laden planet.

Building on my points from earlier, the costume and set design is reminiscent of old school sci-fi, imagining a grungy future that has far more charm than most releases in the genre. The cinematography of Zeek Earl amplifies this, as does his direction alongside Chris Caldwell. Moreover, the writer/directors must be commended for using the limitations of this film’s budget as an advantage. It has its own unique style because of this, which is more than most science fiction movies can say.

Prospect is the cinematic embodiment of ‘less is more’. It uses only what it needs to, telling a story that focuses more on characters and their development rather than loud action sequences and special effects. In doing so, it has created a universe that will leave viewers wanting to know more. Making use of themes that hearkens back to westerns from years ago, this is independent science fiction at its best.