“Ash” follows Riya as she wakes up on a mysterious planet to discover her crewmates have been slaughtered. When a man named Brion arrives to rescue her, an ordeal of psychological and physical terror ensues.
At only 95 minutes long, “Ash” wastes no time. While the first hour is dialogue-heavy, the film immediately dives into its central premise and commits to it. Rather than easing the audience in slowly, it establishes its mystery early and trusts that viewers will stay engaged as the story gradually unfolds.
Fractured Psychological Mystery
“Ash” is at its best as a psychological thriller, examining the mind of a woman who has committed horrific acts but has no idea why.
This internal conflict dominates the majority of the runtime, with the film focusing less on spectacle and more on confusion, guilt and fractured memory. The slow drip of information creates a lingering sense of dread, as the audience pieces together the truth alongside the protagonist.
The film resists overexplaining its premise, which works in its favor early on. The mystery feels intentionally opaque, forcing patience as fragments of the past slowly resurface. This approach won’t work for everyone, but it allows the tension to build naturally rather than relying on constant shocks.
Atmospheric Storytelling
Visually, “Ash” is striking from start to finish. While there are moments where the CGI pushes slightly too far, it is mostly well executed. The film is vibrant, with its heavy use of color serving as a key storytelling device. Lighting plays a crucial role throughout, frequently heightening tension and reinforcing the character’s disorientation.
Eiza González succeeds in the lead role. There are moments where her performance feels restrained or flat, but this is clearly intentional. Playing someone who is confused, detached and struggling to understand her own actions, she sells that internal emptiness effectively.
Aaron Paul’s presence adds welcome energy, grounding scenes and providing a strong counterbalance to González’s performance.
Succeeding Through Ambition
If you find yourself wondering where the carnage is during the first hour of “Ash,” don’t worry – it arrives in full force. The final 30 minutes are relentless, unleashing the violence, action and wild effects that the film carefully set up. Once it flips that switch, it fully commits, delivering the insanity that genre fans are likely hoping for.
The film’s structure is intentionally fragmented. “Ash” jumps back and forth between timelines, revisiting moments from different angles and stitching them together as new information emerges. This can become frustrating during the second act, where it briefly feels like the story is circling without momentum.
Still, those inconsistencies eventually click into place, making the overall experience feel more deliberate than messy.
Ultimately, “Ash” succeeds through ambition. It functions as a psychological thriller driven by conversation and memory, a contained character drama and, by the end, a full-blown sci-fi horror film. It may not perfectly land every transition, but it takes big swings.
Like Christopher Nolan’s “Tenet,” it’s more about the vibe than airtight clarity. Those willing to surrender to that approach will likely walk away satisfied – and eager to revisit it.
Rating: 4 out of 5
