Osiris 2025 Movie review

Osiris (2025) Movie Review: A Sci-Fi Spectacle That Dazzles but Fails to Deliver Emotional Depth

Director: Ava Renner
Cast: Rami Malek, Florence Pugh, Jenna Ortega, David Oyelowo
Genre: Sci-Fi | Drama | Mystery
Runtime: 2hr 18min
Release Date: July 2025

Introduction: Another Star in the Sci-Fi Galaxy?

Osiris (2025) is one of the most anticipated science fiction films of the year — a visually ambitious, high-concept journey into memory, identity, and the fragility of civilization. Set in the distant future after the collapse of Earth, Osiris explores a world where truth is stored in minds and memories are manipulated as data.

With a talented cast and a first-time blockbuster director in Ava Renner, the film aims to position itself among the greats of modern sci-fi like Interstellar, Arrival, and Blade Runner 2049. But does it earn its place? Or does it buckle under its philosophical weight?

Let’s take a critical look.

Plot Summary (No Major Spoilers)

Osiris is set in 2199 aboard a colossal space station of the same name, orbiting the ruins of Earth. The human race now survives in isolated orbital colonies governed by technocratic institutions. On Osiris Station, a mysterious psychic event triggers global alerts. A teenage girl named Nova (Jenna Ortega) claims to carry within her mind the final memories of Earth’s last president — memories no one knew existed.

Dr. Caelum Voss (Rami Malek), a brilliant but emotionally scarred memory analyst, is brought in to investigate. Tasked with unraveling the truth hidden in Nova’s mind, he teams up with security officer Lt. Aria Keene (Florence Pugh), who suspects the situation may be far more dangerous than it seems.

As Voss digs deeper, he begins to uncover a vast cover-up — one that questions the origin of the colonies, the role of memory in governance, and the lies that built humanity’s last bastions of survival.

Themes: Memory, Morality, and Manufactured Truth

The central theme of Osiris revolves around memory as a tool of power. In a society without Earth, where historical records have been lost or corrupted, memory becomes currency — and control over memory means control over truth.

Through Dr. Voss’s journey, the film questions whether truth is always worth revealing. Are some memories too dangerous to be recovered? Does trauma justify erasure? And is it ethical to alter a person’s identity in order to protect society?

There are also clear critiques of technocratic governance and the use of algorithmic control in place of democratic systems. Osiris asks: When humanity trades emotion for efficiency, what is lost in the process?

Though these themes are intellectually rich, the delivery is often heavy-handed, slowing the narrative and clouding emotional connection.

Performances: A Cold Lead Surrounded by Fire

Rami Malek plays Dr. Voss with characteristic intensity and restraint. While his portrayal captures the isolation and trauma of his character, it borders on emotional flatness. As a result, the audience struggles to connect with the man at the center of the mystery.

Florence Pugh, on the other hand, brings warmth and gravity to the role of Lt. Keene. She provides the emotional core of the film and delivers the most layered performance, navigating her character’s conflict between duty and empathy with finesse.

Jenna Ortega portrays Nova with a strange blend of vulnerability and stoicism, though her role feels underutilized. She’s clearly meant to be the symbolic heart of the film, but the script never fully develops her arc.

David Oyelowo is captivating as Director Morda, the quiet antagonist with a philosopher’s calm. He delivers a chilling performance that lingers long after his scenes end.

Direction: Visionary but Inconsistent

Director Ava Renner shows immense promise with Osiris, especially for a major directorial debut. Her visual world-building is extraordinary. The Osiris Station feels alive — a labyrinth of sleek corridors, decaying archives, and floating memory chambers, all bathed in muted colors and cold light.

However, Renner struggles to maintain narrative focus. The first act is tight and intriguing, the third act is intense and explosive — but the middle act drags, weighed down by lengthy philosophical monologues and exposition-heavy scenes.

There’s a clear ambition to make Osiris profound, but it often tips into self-indulgent territory, with characters speaking in cryptic riddles and metaphysical debates that lose sight of the plot’s momentum.

Cinematography & Visual Design: Breathtaking at Every Frame

Visually, Osiris is a masterpiece. The cinematography by Linus Sandgren is lush, precise, and often poetic. The space station is rendered with brutalist architecture fused with minimalist aesthetics, evoking both sterility and decay.

Flashbacks — or memory dives — are shot in surreal, dreamlike textures that shift in color and clarity depending on the memory’s stability. This not only distinguishes time and space but also helps the audience navigate a very non-linear story.

CGI is used sparingly and effectively. There are no bloated action sequences. Instead, visual effects serve the story’s cerebral tone — a refreshing departure from the action-heavy sci-fi norm.

Sound & Score: Atmospheric and Melancholic

Max Richter’s score is one of the highlights of the film. His music blends somber piano notes with ambient synthesizers, adding emotional weight to scenes that otherwise feel sterile.

Sound design is subtle but purposeful — whether it’s the hum of the space station, the crackle of memory replays, or the silence of the vacuum outside, every sound choice enhances the immersive atmosphere.

Pacing and Structure: Elegant but Uneven

The film’s pacing is one of its biggest weaknesses. After a gripping setup, the story slows drastically in the second act. Instead of building suspense or character development, it detours into philosophical speculation that, while interesting, slows the momentum.

At 2 hours and 18 minutes, Osiris feels about 20 minutes too long. A more focused narrative structure could have elevated the emotional stakes and brought greater clarity to its themes.

Weaknesses: Emotionally Distant and Over-Philosophical

While Osiris is stunning to look at and rich in ideas, its biggest flaw is emotional detachment. The film intellectualizes trauma rather than feeling it. Despite the high-stakes plot, the audience rarely feels urgency or fear.

Additionally, the screenplay tends to prioritize metaphor over meaning. Dialogue is often too abstract to resonate. Characters speak of identity and truth, but their emotional journeys are underdeveloped.

This makes Osiris a film that stimulates the brain but not the heart.

Critical Verdict: A Visual Masterpiece with Narrative Flaws

Osiris (2025) is a visually stunning, philosophically ambitious sci-fi drama that dares to challenge its audience. But ambition alone does not make a masterpiece. While it excels in world-building, performance (especially from Pugh and Oyelowo), and direction, it falters in emotional depth and narrative pacing.

For fans of cerebral, idea-driven science fiction, Osiris will be a feast. But for viewers seeking a gripping story and emotional connection, it may feel like an over-polished puzzle with missing pieces.

Final Rating: ★★★☆☆ (3.5/5)

Pros:

Incredible production design and cinematography
Thought-provoking themes
Florence Pugh and David Oyelowo deliver standout performances
Evocative score and atmosphere

Cons:

Emotionally distant lead
Overly abstract dialogue
Slow pacing in the second act
Philosophical overload at the expense of story

**Should You Watch Osiris?**

Yes — but with expectations managed. If you appreciate art-house science fiction with complex ideas and haunting visuals, Osiris will leave a lasting impression. Just don’t expect it to move you emotionally in the same way it stimulates your thoughts.