NETFLIX'S "STOWAWAY": WHAT WENT WRONG?

In Netflix's original "Stowaway", a crew of three elite professionals embarks on a research mission to Mars where they will be stuck in space for two years. Three crew members depart, but a fourth crew member, Michael Adams (Shamier Anderson), appears after an innocent accident that leaves him unconscious on the ship.

This leads to a series of complications and tragedies that put every person on that ship in a difficult position: limited resources and dwindling oxygen. The crew must find the right solution before lives are lost. Is Commander Marina Barnett (Toni Collette) up for the challenge.

Simply put, NO .

Every decision she leads to further destruction to the ship and division amongst her crew. This is narcissism, elitism, and selfishness at its ugliest. Only this time, the crew is stuck with her, hopeless and voiceless. There is no escape, and she is in command. Thus, the struggle to survive becomes more than difficult. It feels downright impossible.

Romans 16:17-18 says, "And now I make one more appeal, my dear brothers and sisters. Watch out for people who cause divisions and upset people’s faith by teaching things contrary to what you have been taught. Stay away from them. 18 Such people are not serving Christ our Lord; they are serving their own personal interests. By smooth talk and glowing words they deceive innocent people." (NLT)

There is a clear sense of judgment on the ship between those who deserve to be there and those who do not with Barnette on the top and Adams on the bottom of this isolated hierarchy. What about those in the middle?

David Kim (Daniel Dae Kim) is #2. On the cusp of a scientific breakthrough, he leaves behind his family and packs up his limited supplies to complete his life's work, which is their reason for the space mission.

Dr. Zoe Levenson (Anna Kendrick) is #3. She is brought on board as a safeguard. If something goes wrong, she is there to provide medical care to her crewmates. In the best case scenario, her work provides convenience, but no one is counting on her to be necessary. The ship is adapted to accommodate an extra body. In fact, she applies to the program expecting rejection. Her acceptance comes as a surprise. Because of it, she is eager to tag along, because it's the opportunity of a lifetime. Because of the accident, she becomes far more necessary for either of her crewmates expect.

Somehow, that doesn't sit well with the commander. So, she pulls aside Kim and they form their own little elitist club. Together, they withhold crucial information from the doctor and the stowaway. Until it's nearly too late. This crew of four should represent a unified front. Everyone deserves to know their circumstances. They should collaborate and explore solutions together. Instead, Barnett holds a disturbing amount of secret meetings and phone calls. She pushes away the two crew members that she thinks of a lesser.

The mere fact that she is will to consider murder as a first option should tell us all we need to know. Of course, that's not something she admits outright, just heavily implies it and expects her #2 to carry it out. Meanwhile, she hounds Kim to destroy his research, because there's a small chance it would provide the ship with the oxygen they need. It's an easy decision for her to make despite how much it hurt Kim. With his resources and research gone, the mission becomes obsolete. His purpose is stripped away from him.

Barnett makes this choice without Kim's blessing before even consulting Dr. Levenson. If she collaborated with the entire crew as equals, Levenson would have more time to develop a humane plan of her own. It is by far a superior plan to Barnett's ideas to destroy the entire mission or kill Adams. So, why does she not consider the good doctor's idea? Because it would hurt her precious ship.

Who is this monster? Who put this woman in charge? What is her purpose on the ship? Other than making the worst possible decisions, talk about people behind their backs, and destroy the dreams of others? Eventually, destroy life? Not much else. Because of her, someone dies.

We never see what happens when the crew reaches Mars. Kim can't do his research. The only thing they could do is turn the ship right around and pray no further harm comes to them. All thanks to the piss poor leadership in charge of that unfortunate crew.

The only solace we feel is the knowledge that this mission is Barnette's last. It certainly would be after headquarters hears full the story from the survivors. Fingers crossed.

With every monster comes a hero. Throughout the entire course of the film, a terrible possibility lingers. What will happen to the stowaway, the ship, or the entire crew? Thanks to Dr. Levenson, the ship avoids complete disaster, because she is willing to defy the orders of her incompetent, selfish commander. As a doctor, Levenson values all life. She sees no hierarchy, nor does she favor one life over another.

Dr. Levenson is the only person on the ship who seems to care about this unexpected crew member. She would do anything to save his life, even step aside to let him take her spot on the ship. When all else is lost, she risks her life twice and willingly sacrifices herself to save the others.

After Barnette wastes so much time with her terrible ideas, there comes no alternative. Life must be taken for the sake of others. She willingly gives it. I'd like to see Barnette or Kim go so far. They are willing to take life. Levenson is the only one who gives life.