by K. A. Leer

*This article contains spoilers!

There are several science fiction (SF) horror alien films that prioritize female protagonists who have various forms of scientific expertise such as biology (The Silent Sea [2021], Annihilation [2018]), archaeology (Alien: Prometheus [2012]), linguistics (Arrival [2016]), and other scientific expertise (Contact [1997]). However, the 2020 film Sputnik puts forth a new form of expertise that has remained missing in this genre – psychology. Despite contemporary horror movies heavily incorporating psychology in narrative, dialogue, and settings, SF horror and alien movies remain limited in this inclusion. What is illuminating about Sputnik is how it shows the multifaceted nature of what psychology/psychiatry can be outside of an enclosed office space. 

Sputnik is set in 1983 during the later stages of the Cold War. Two Russian cosmonauts are returning to Earth after completing an orbital research mission when they unexpectedly bring back an alien lifeform that inhabits one of the men’s bodies, Konstantin. A short time after, Dr. Tatyana Klimova, a psychiatrist, is recruited by a military research facility to assist in understanding the unique relationship the alien has with Konstantin. Despite having the top scientists and military personnel investigating Konstantin’s symbiotic relationship with the alien, Dr. Klimova is recruited in hopes of having a new perspective on the issue at hand and is admired for her unorthodox approaches in being able to prioritize the health and well-being of her patients. 

The “new perspective” that Dr. Klimova brings to the research facility can be extended outside of the film itself. Psychology hasn’t really had a stronghold or space within SF horror or in this case alien films. Understandably, alien life forms often are frightening because of the physical distortion and threat they pose to humans. But what makes Konstantin’s case even more necessary for a psychiatrist’s expertise is the symbiotic relationship they have with one another. This alien in Sputnik is a biological threat – it lives within Konstantin’s esophagus, having a parasitic-like relationship with his body but it exposes itself, leaving the body, for one hour at a time at night which seemingly Konstantin is unaware of. What Dr. Klimova’s intervention provides is an ability to not only understand the biological aspects of this relationship but the psychological one as well. A quick note, Dr. Klimova is a psychiatrist (specializing in neurophysiology) and so has medical training adjacent to psychological training, but with any contemporary specialization of psychology there is an emphasis on the mind-body relationship. Which is exactly what Dr. Klimova is interested in especially seeing how the alien lifeform is disrupting such a connection between Konstantin’s mind and body. 

Dr. Klimova isn’t only valuable as an expert but as a woman. Despite coming across initially as more cold, analytical, and combative with male authority figures she also has strong moral principles about the well-being of not only her patients but everyone around her. Konstantin’s attitude doesn’t faze her, and she can test his thought processes of what a “hero” means to him especially when confronting him about his twisted understanding—for though he accomplished going to space, he abandoned his son at an orphanage to be able to take on the mission. Dr. Klimova can challenge and confront the morals of the men around her, especially when they cast their selfish actions for “the good of the Soviet Union.” This is also played out amongst the research members around her. She notices that the way the alien sustains itself with Konstantin doesn’t make sense. The alien’s food source cannot just be off what he eats. She discovers that secretly the facility has been feeding the alien, once out of Konstantin’s body, prisoners. Hormones are considered factors with influence psychological states, to which Dr. Klimova’s emphasis on Konstantin’s hormones led the facility to realize that the alien will only eat people when their cortisol levels are high – which is achieved by eliciting high states of fear. The alien must eat humans in order to sustain the symbiotic relationship otherwise Konstantin’s body, hormones, and mental state deteriorate. Once she realizes how the research facility has been managing the alien’s diet, does she begin to take action to correct the immoral approaches she unknowingly has been involved in?

The psychological themes within Sputnik not only touch on the investigation into this alien lifeform but also the broader themes of human behaviors, morals, and survivability. It isn’t a coincidence that the film is taking place during the end of the Cold War. There is heavy dialogue about what heroism means within the Soviet Union and the advancement in weaponry. Konstantin is trying to find a way to maintain his “hero” status, which was obtained by going to space, and not being turned into a “weapon” which is what he faces with the alien living inside of him. Dr. Klimova finds out that Konstantin’s ignorance of the alien in him has been faked. He is able to remember, and experience what the alien does and feels – even when it is killing people. This is all for the goal of hoping to find a way to separate himself from the alien and go back to a normal life. There is a climactic moment where he is looking at images of the alien in his body and says how he dreamed of having his legacy in a museum but now the alien is what he has become. The back-and-forth contemplation of heroism and morals around becoming a weapon follow through to the end of the film where despite Dr. Klimova’s attempt to save Konstantin, he is unable to survive without the alien and the alien is unable to survive without Konstantin. His last action arguably cements his desire to be remembered as a hero, despite some of the immoral choices he has made, but shooting himself to kill the creature with him. 

At the end of the film, Dr. Klimova’s more nurturing and caring side comes forward as the film shows her adopting Konstantin’s son he abandoned, revealing that she herself understands the experience of being orphaned at a young age. Prioritizing life as a conclusion of the narrative and dialogue debates showcases the message of underscoring the value of having a symbiotic relationship amongst humans ourselves. Dr. Klimova’s expertise in psychiatry and Sputnik’s focus on psychological themes invite the audience to think about human behaviors, challenges, and well-being that SF horror films bring about more evidently. Especially in relation to how extraterrestrial threats to humans might challenge our own comprehension of what it means to be human. 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐/5 stars – This film would best suit avid SF horror fans who might be looking for fresh new takes on the genre. You can stream this on Amazon Prime, an AMC+ subscription.