Oxygene

Directed by Alexandre Aja, Oxygene follows Mélanie Laurent’s Elizabeth Hansen as she wakes up trapped inside a futuristic medical unit and must subsequently figure out how to escape before her air runs out. There’s little doubt that Oxygene grows more and more absorbing as it progresses, as the movie, written by Christie LeBlanc, kicks off with a somewhat underwhelming opening stretch that is, at least, alleviated by Laurent’s typically assured and engaging turn as the central character – with the actress’ hypnotic work ultimately compensating for the periodic lulls within the spare narrative. And although the recurring emphasis on certain unwelcome elements, including a few tedious is-it-real-or-is-it-just-in-Elizabeth’s-head moments, is regrettable, Oxygene eventually moves into an unexpectedly gripping midsection that’s been suffused with captivating sequences and genuinely surprising twists – with the impact of these moments heightened by Aja’s stylish approach to the material. (There is, for example, a fantastic rotating shot that accompanies a shocking discovery made by Elizabeth.) The propulsive bent of the picture’s final third paves the way for a completely satisfying climactic stretch and final image, which does, in the end, confirm Oxygene‘s place as a slightly erratic yet predominantly successful sci-fi thriller that increasingly exploits its premise to exceedingly positive effect.

***1/2 out of ****

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