Watch Lifeforce

Lifeforce is a science fiction horror film that hit the screens in 1985. Directed by the renowned Tobe Hooper, the film stars Steve Railsback, Mathilda May, and Peter Firth in lead roles. The horror-thriller film enjoyed moderate success at the box office in its release year and has since gained a cult following. The movie begins with a mission by a joint team of American and British astronauts who discover an alien spacecraft while investigating Halley's Comet. The spacecraft is found to be carrying three humanoid figures in a state of suspended animation. The team makes the fatal mistake of bringing these creatures back to Earth with them. They soon discover that the creatures are energy vampires who feed on human life-energy, and the aliens quickly escape and start wreaking havoc in London.

The story revolves around Colonel Tom Carlsen, played by Steve Railsback, who is the only surviving astronaut of the initial mission to the alien spacecraft. He wakes up from a coma to find the alien beings missing from their transport pod. The authorities are initially skeptical about his claims, suspecting him of losing his marbles due to the trauma of losing his team members. But their disbelief is short-lived as they soon find out the three vampires, now free in the city, are spreading a pandemic that turns humans into zombies.

The movie then takes a turn to focus on the British authorities' attempts to contain the dangerous vampires, while Colonel Carlsen embarks on discovering the true extent of the creatures' plans on Earth. In the meantime, a young woman named Spacegirl, played by Mathilda May, is discovered roaming naked around the streets of London, and the audience learns that she is another energy-affecting vampire in disguise. Her beauty and sexual attraction have the power to drive men to their deaths, and she uses this power to her advantage when pursued by government officials.

The film is an ambitious project, combining elements of horror, science fiction, and action. It explores themes such as life and death, love and desire, and the dangers of science and technology. The various subplots within the movie create a sense of tension and unpredictability, keeping the audience engaged till the end.

One of the things that stand out in the film is its visuals. The stunning special effects and visual imagery, although dated by today's standards, are still impressive enough to capture the audience's imagination. The production design is lavish and uses its sets to create a brooding and intense atmosphere, especially in the scenes set in the interior of the energy vampires' spaceship.

The film's score, composed by British composer Henry Mancini, adds to the overall feeling of dread and apprehension. The music is intense and unsettling, emphasizing the scenes of terror and horror throughout the film.

The performances by the lead actors are also noteworthy. Steve Railsback delivers a strong performance, portraying a character torn between a desire for his newly-found supernatural abilities and his sense of responsibility towards saving humanity. Mathilda May shines as Spacegirl, with a surprisingly strong character that develops beyond just the femme-fatale. Peter Firth's character, Dr. Hans Fallada, adds an intellectual dimension to the story, providing an explanation of the creatures' origins and their ultimate objective.

In conclusion, Lifeforce is an odd but intriguing film that is worth watching for fans of the sci-fi and horror genre. Although the film's plot is sometimes convoluted and confusing, the visual and audio elements, combined with strong performances by the lead actors, make it an intriguing and unsettling watch. If you enjoy movies that push the boundaries of what is considered mainstream cinema, then Lifeforce is one that you will not want to miss.

Lifeforce is a 1985 science fiction movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 56 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.1 and a MetaScore of 50.