ANOTHER LIFE Season 1: A Step Backwards For Netflix & Science-Fiction

By this point, Netflix and science-fiction is a pairing subscribers can expect and usually get behind (think Stranger Things or Dark), and the latest outing comes in the form of Another Life. The television series is composed of 10 episodes that draw from different realms of the sci-fi genre which ultimately makes for a risk-taking yet muddled final product.

As its title may suggest, Another Life follows a group of space explorers on a quest to meet extraterrestrial life after a traceable artifact lands on Earth. The series is led by Niko (played by Battlestar Galactica alum Katee Sackhoff), and the show jumps between the drama aboard the ship and Niko’s earth-bound husband Erik (Justin Chatwin), who happens to be the scientist researching the alien artifact. The show juxtaposes science-fiction thriller with young adult drama which, in many ways, can feel like an intergalactic soap-opera.

Aboard the Salvare

By the first episode, it’s clear that there are going to be plenty of things to squabble about this series; it’s pretty evident that Another Life will not live up to many of its Netflix siblings. As much as the script left me shaking my head, however, there are a few things that work well here — one of them being the cast. Sackhoff and Chatwin are joined by many young and talented actors, and Selma Blair also has a watchable performance as renowned journalist Harper Glass (although I shook my head at plenty of the dialogue she was given).

In regards to both upstanding acting and intriguing execution, Samuel Anderson, who some may recognize from his time on Doctor Who, exceptionally portrays an artificial intelligence named William. His character is reminiscent of Scarlett Johansson’s Samantha in Her, with the exception that he can visually manifest. It’s an interesting addition to the show which adds depth both as a concept and with the character; however, you may be left wondering how his physical form is possible at all.

Another commendable aspect of the show is simply the production design. For the most part, the show takes place on a spaceship and at a military ground watching the alien artifact. There aren’t too many places to visit, but what we do get is pretty fascinating.

In many ways, I found that the design as well as the cinematography and visual effects were like that of Annihilation and Arrival, both of which are visually stunning films. The representation of galaxies and space travel in the series was partially similar to Interstellar or Prometheus, drawing from the imaginative and thought-provoking nature of outer space. The film captures certain ideas similarly to that of great cinema, but it never quite lives up to what it’s offering.

A Messy Space Drama

The acting is at least adequate, and visuals are impressive about three-quarters of the time — unfortunately, this isn’t enough to hold the show above water. I believe Another Life attempts to be many things, but I can’t imagine it was pitched as anything other than a “hip drama set in space”. This series feels as though it belongs on a television network such as the CW or MTV, as it only uses the freedom of being on Netflix for excessive amounts of the F-bomb and awkward romantic exchanges.

Within the context of the show, those aboard the Salvare have been sent on a mission that the whole of Earth is dependent on for protection and survival — which is perhaps overdone but a worthwhile premise — but from the first to last episode, I couldn’t help but wonder if these astronauts were given a psych evaluation before take off. I believe the show was far more concerned with being sexy and attractive for a younger fanbase that it took away from the narrative as a whole.

Minus a few of the leads, most of the actors are extremely young and are working with scripts that are hard to digest. You would think such an important mission would require professional and qualified individuals, but instead we get murderous partners, a strange love triangle, psychedelic drugs, and a dance party in space. This may sound interesting written out, but the execution lacks dignity and the shifts in tone are off-putting and cringey.

Admittedly, the show gets better near its end, but by then it feels too late. The beginning and middle portion drew me out so much that by the last two episodes I was drained. If you make it that far, though, at least you can expect some exciting moments. If by the off chance the show gets renewed for a second season, we can hope for a continuation of that of the latter episodes.

Conclusion: Another Life

I’m convinced that Another Life is a unique space drama, but unfortunately genuity does not always mean good, and Another Life fails to be an immersive experience like that of the genres it draws from. There are hints of charm within the series, but they’re hidden behind distasteful scripts and poor execution. Well, at least Netflix subscribers have the option of another science-fiction series if they’ve already binged the rest.

What did you think of Another Life? Do you think it’ll be renewed for another season?

Watch Another Life