Ash is a trippy, psychological thriller that is infused with brilliant Science Fiction and psychedelic elements to deliver something unique and entertaining.
Some movies are made to be seen on the big screen – Ash is one of them. This twisted, trippy, psychological thriller is best experienced in a dark theater with no distractions so that you can become fully immersed in it. Right from the opening sequence I was all in, finding myself on the edge of my seat, going on a journey with Riya (Eiza Gonzalez) as she tries to rediscover who she is.
Easily one of the most terrifying things that could happen to a person happens to her at the start of the film. She wakes up surrounded by her dead crewmates with no recollection of the events that have occurred. Throughout the film she tries to piece everything together and I promise you, the answer is more shocking and terrifying than you could ever imagine.
Ash weaves in several Sci-Fi elements and tropes, but in a way that keeps things interesting and exciting. Sure, some pieces of the puzzle are predictable, but there are more than enough shocking reveals, and an unforgettable third act.
Gonzalez is the perfect choice as the lead and the right person to take viewers on a journey with her. She leaves it all out there on the table, unafraid to throw herself head first into this character and the bizarre and twisted world she lives in.
Her co-lead, Aaron Paul, plays Brion. A member of her crew who was elsewhere during the massacre and agrees to help her piece together what happened. Ash is all about trust, as that is all these two have. Paul is, to no one’s surprise, also phenomenal in the film. The two of them together have great on-screen chemistry and will always keep the audience on their toes. They are truly fun to watch, even though the events of the film are dark and terrifying.
What I love most about Ash, however, is the visual style of the film. It is almost psychedelic in nature, with flashes of memories and a score that is out of this world (no pun intended). This is why this movie needs to be seen in a dark theater with no distractions in sight. It is an experience that you need to be fully immersed in so that you can appreciate it for what it is.
Director Flying Lotus also has a small role in the film and composed the music. This is no small feat and should be applauded, because often if a creative takes on too many roles it can blow up in their face. He succeeded because he completely understands the film, and delivers something both familiar and unique.
It is apparent that there are inspirations taken from previous Sci-Fi films where the main character is being hunted by an unseen predator, such as Alien, but it doesn’t copy them. There is just enough blood and gore, and shocking reveals, to keep viewers on the edge of their seats, but not too much to make their stomachs turn.
Thanks to incredible performances from the lead duo, and the direction of Flying Lotus, Ash is an unforgettable and wild ride. Trust me when I say that third act will stick with you for a long time to come.
Ash premiered at SXSW 2025 and comes to theaters on March 21.
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About Ash
A woman wakes up on a distant planet and finds the crew of her space station viciously killed. Her investigation into what happened sets in motion a terrifying chain of events.
Ash is a trippy, psychological thriller that is infused with brilliant Science Fiction and psychedelic elements to deliver something unique and entertaining.
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Tessa Smith is a Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer-approved Film and TV Critic. On Camera personality and TV / Film Critic with 10+ years of experience in video editing, writing, editing, moderating, and hosting.