Is Stowaway Based on a True Story? Plot, and More
by Reshwanth A | Updated Apr 27, 2023
Is Stowaway Based on a True Story?
The movie "Stowaway" is not a true story, but it is inspired by a short film from 1954 called "The Cold Equations," written by Tom Godwin. "The Cold Equations" is a science fiction story that features the punishment of a female stowaway on a spacecraft. Interestingly, "Stowaway" also deals with a stowaway on a spacecraft and shares several similarities with the earlier work.
However, while the basic premise may be similar, the two works have distinct differences in terms of their plot, characters, and setting. "Stowaway" is a standalone work of fiction that explores ethical dilemmas in a unique way, while "The Cold Equations" focuses more on the consequences of one's actions in a highly technological and ruthless world. Ultimately, both works provide a thought-provoking commentary on humanity's relationship with technology and the ethics of space exploration.
Is Stowaway a Real Story?
The Netflix sci-fi film "Stowaway" is not a true story but is based on a 1954 short film called "The Cold Equations" by Tom Godwin. In "The Cold Equations," a female trespasser on a spacecraft is punished using science and morality. However, in "Stowaway," the gender roles are reversed, with the heroes being female and the stowaway being male. "The Cold Equations" was originally a short story that appeared in the Astounding Science Fiction issue of 1954.
While both works explore the consequences of stowaways on a spacecraft, "Stowaway" offers a fresh take on the concept by introducing a male protagonist and placing emphasis on the female characters. The film also delves deeper into the ethical and moral dilemmas of space travel, making it a compelling and thought-provoking watch for sci-fi fans. Despite not being based on a true story, "Stowaway" offers a unique and captivating tale that will keep audiences engaged from start to finish.
Stowaway Plot
"Stowaway" is a gripping sci-fi film about a crew of three on a two-year mission to Mars: Mission Commander Marina Barnett, biologist David Kim, and medical researcher Zoe Levenson. Shortly after takeoff, they discover an accidental stowaway, launch support engineer Michael Adams, who destroys a crucial device that scrubs CO2 from the air on the ship. The crew is left with emergency canisters that cannot sustain the extra load, and they face asphyxiation weeks before reaching Mars.
Barnett asks mission control for a solution that will save all four passengers, but the only option is deemed too risky. Zoe convinces them to wait ten days for another solution. After three days, David breaks rank to explain the situation to Michael, offering him a lethal injection. Michael nearly takes his own life, but Zoe convinces him to wait a while longer.
Zoe and David perform an EVA to retrieve liquid oxygen, but deadly radiation from a solar flare forces them to leave one of the cylinders behind. They make it back to the ship, but due to equipment failure, the single oxygen cylinder is lost. They realize that if one person exposes themselves to radiation to retrieve the lost cylinder, the other three can survive. Zoe ultimately insists on doing it herself and manages to return the cylinder to the ship before succumbing to radiation poisoning.
Stowaway Summary
MTS-42, a space shuttle on a mission to Mars, is commanded by Marina Barnett, accompanied by two other astronauts, Zoe Levenson and David Kim. David's algae experiments are aimed at cultivating oxygen on the planet. However, their mission takes a drastic turn when they discover an uninvited crew member, Michael Adams, who got trapped in the ship's panel during the launch. As a result of Michael's accidental intrusion, the ship's carbon dioxide removal system is destroyed, leaving the crew with only enough oxygen for three members. The crew must now make a difficult decision regarding Michael's fate.
Stowaway Wiki
Stowaway is a 2021 science fiction thriller drama film that was co-written and directed by Joe Penna. The screenplay was also written by Ryan Morrison. The movie stars Anna Kendrick, Daniel Dae Kim, Shamier Anderson, and Toni Collette. It is a co-production between the United States and Germany and was released on Netflix in select countries on April 22, 2021. The movie was produced by Aram Tertzakian, Nick Spicer, Jonas Katzenstein, Maximilian Leo, Ulrich Schwarz, and Clay Pecorin.
The cinematography was done by Klemens Becker, and the movie was edited by Ryan Morrison. The music was composed by Volker Bertelmann. Stowaway was produced by XYZ Films, Augenschein Film Production, Rise Pictures, and RainMaker Films. The movie was distributed by Netflix in select countries and by Wild Bunch in Germany. The film has a runtime of 116 minutes and is in the English language. The budget for Stowaway was $10 million.
Is Stowaway Based on a True Story - FAQs
Stowaway is a science fiction thriller drama film about a three-person crew on a two-year mission to Mars who discovers an accidental stowaway onboard, which leads to a life-threatening dilemma.
The main characters in Stowaway are Mission Commander Marina Barnett (Toni Collette), biologist David Kim (Daniel Dae Kim), medical researcher Zoe Levenson (Anna Kendrick), and accidental stowaway launch support engineer Michael Adams (Shamier Anderson).
Stowaway was directed by Joe Penna, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Ryan Morrison.
Stowaway was released on April 22, 2021, and it is currently available to stream on Netflix in select countries.