Lifeforce
Lifeforce

Movie spotlight

Lifeforce

1985
Movie
102 min
English

A race of space vampires arrives in London and infects the populace, commencing an apocalyptic descent into chaos.

Insights

IMDb5.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes38%
Google Users60%
Director: Tobe HooperGenres: Horror, Sci-Fi, Thriller

Plot Summary

A joint American-European space mission discovers a derelict alien spacecraft in Halley's Comet's tail. Inside, they find three cryogenic humanoids, two males and one female. Upon returning to Earth, the surviving crew member, Colonel Tom Carlsen, must confront the seductive female alien, Spacehead, who drains the life force from humans to survive, as she wreaks havoc across London.

Critical Reception

Lifeforce was met with mixed to negative reviews from critics, who often found its plot convoluted and its blend of sci-fi and horror elements uneven. However, it has gained a cult following over the years for its unique premise, striking visuals, and Tobe Hooper's distinctive directorial style. Audiences were divided, with some appreciating its ambitious B-movie sensibilities and others put off by its graphic content and narrative inconsistencies.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its ambitious, albeit bizarre, concept and striking visual design.

  • Criticized for a convoluted plot and uneven execution of its horror and sci-fi elements.

  • Features a memorable performance from Mathilda May as the alien antagonist.

Google audience: Google users generally found the film to be an entertaining, albeit flawed, sci-fi horror experience. Many appreciated the unique premise and visual style, while some pointed out plot holes and a lack of cohesive narrative. The film is often seen as a cult classic with a dedicated fanbase.

Fun Fact

The iconic visual of Mathilda May as 'Spacehead' being naked and floating in zero gravity was achieved using a complex harness system and subtle visual effects, with the actress performing many of her own stunts.

AI-generated overview · Verify ratings on official sources

My Review

TMDB Reviews

4 reviews
tmdb28039023

tmdb28039023

Lifeforce is the best Dracula from Space movie I’ve ever seen. I haven’t seen that many, mind you, and Vampirella and Dracula 3000 sure as shit didn’t set that particular bar especially high; on the other hand, Lifeforce is better-looking t...

adorablepanic

adorablepanic

LIFEFORCE (1985) - By the mid '80s, Cannon Films was looking to move away from low-budget, disposable fare like HOSPITAL MASSACRE (1981) and BREAKIN' 2: ELECTRIC BOOGALOO (1984). Owners Menahem Golan and Yoram Globus had loftier ambitions: ...

Gimly

Gimly

The promise of 1980s, practical effects, and energy vampires with no clothes on is apparently all it takes to get me to watch a movie. _Final rating:★★½ - Had a lot that appealed to me, didn’t quite work as a whole._

teix

teix

Great sci-fi flick. The story is very good, and the production and the actors did a great job. I don't think this movie is outdated, just more campy and enjoyable. A must see sci-fi classic.