A father is faced with making the ultimate sacrifice in director Eric Esau’s intergenerational and intergalactic sci-fi film, Saturn. Torn between saving his family and saving the world, Saturn is an intimate drama that reckons with both deep-rooted trauma and family secrets. With a highly cinematic aesthetic made on an independent film budget, Saturn proves that its Marvel-level quality doesn’t need deep pockets to be effective.

A Superhero Faces an Unthinkable Ultimatum

The life of the shepherd is a life of sacrifice, and no one knows that better than James (Dominic Bogart). James is part of a secret community of superhuman heroes called Shepherds who are responsible for protecting the planets. Like the Avengers, James is among several people who will be called upon in times of crisis. Unfortunately, that time is now. For years, he has been able to keep his superpowers a secret from his wife Sarah (Piercey Dalton) and their young son George (Elijah Maximus). The closest James gets to galactic gestures is teaching a college class on wormholes.

However, when a mysterious planet appears overnight that is in line to catastrophically collide with Earth, James realizes that he may not be able to avoid his shepherding obligations any longer. Once he reaches this conclusion, the conflicting internal battle begins. James struggles with his next move, as each holds devastating consequences. Should he choose to stay with his family, essentially welcoming the apocalypse that will undoubtedly destroy the Earth? Or should he live up to his ancient and honorable duty and sacrifice himself to save the planet, leaving his family behind?

A Marvelous Approach to Indie Sci-Fi

The visual style of Saturn is remarkable. It is shot like a Marvel movie but with a grounded storyline and heartfelt dramatic stakes. Morality is at play in a way we don’t often see in superhero films. For his role as the brooding protagonist, Dominic Bogart keeps a steady and composed disposition. Piercey Dalton is so natural in front of the camera that her performance is among the strongest in the cast. Another standout is Elijah Maximus, who masters control over his emotions in such a mature way. A strong script and pointed aesthetic make Saturn feel much bigger than its indie label.

Takeaway

Fans of pensive dramas and superhero films will find much enjoyment in Saturn. It digs surprisingly deep, leaving us to ponder the moral consequences of James’ actions. Saturn is a character-based sci-fi film that beautifully sweeps you up into its mythical world. Culminating in an inspirational ending, Saturn asks us “How far would you go to save those you love?”