The suspense-filled space thriller I.S.S. delivers a striking conclusion that underscores the dangers of nationalism. The story begins when two American astronauts, Kira and Christian, make their way to the International Space Station aboard a Soyuz spacecraft.
On arrival, they get acquainted with the only other American on board, Gordon, as well as the three Russian astronauts—Nika, Nicholai, and Alexey.
National loyalties clash in a tense fight for survival beyond the atmosphere (Photo: I.S.S./LD Entertainment)The crew follows an unspoken rule of avoiding political discussions and focusing solely on their respective research. Despite their different nationalities, they share resources and collaborate on scientific projects.
Their sense of unity is disrupted when they witness explosions on Earth and later discover that war has erupted between the United States and Russia. Each astronaut receives direct orders from their respective governments to secure control of the space station at all costs.
Nicholai and Christian immediately take sides with their nations, while Gordon and Nika hesitate, torn between loyalty and morality. On the other hand, Kira and Alexey want no part in the violence.
When Nicholai forcefully ejects Gordon from the station, the fragile peace shatters, and the crew members turn against one another. This tense buildup leads to a gripping finale that serves as both an action-packed conclusion and a thought-provoking allegory.
Who Survives The Final Moments Of I.S.S.?
The astronauts aboard the space station face multiple threats—each other and the possibility of the station plummeting from orbit. This raises an important question about who, if anyone, makes it out alive.
Out of the entire crew, only Kira and Alexey survive. Their escape is deeply symbolic, as it highlights the power of cooperation between individuals from opposing nations.
Their survival reinforces a major theme in the film: people achieve more when they work together, regardless of nationality. This message is echoed earlier in the movie when Kira and Alexey discuss the absence of physical borders on Earth.
Rather than blindly obeying government orders, they reject the expectation to harm one another. Their decision to disable transmissions in the Soyuz spacecraft, even at the risk of never returning home, further illustrates their defiance of the conflict forced upon them.
Kira’s Purpose Aboard The International Space Station
While Kira takes on a central role in I.S.S., her reasons for being on the space station remain unclear for a massive portion of the film. It is later revealed that she once served as a marine before shifting her focus to artificial organ research. After losing a loved one to organ failure, she dedicated herself to advancing medical science.
However, she encountered a major challenge—gravity rendered her experimental organs ineffective. This drove her decision to conduct research in a microgravity setting aboard the space station.
Beyond her scientific pursuits, another unspoken reason for Kira’s presence on the station is hinted at. She confides in Gordon about her past heartbreak, revealing that her girlfriend cheated on her and left with someone else.
The pain is still evident in her expression as she recounts the experience. While unconfirmed, it is strongly suggested that Kira sought refuge in space to distance herself from the emotional turmoil.
The film presents an urgent message about the importance of unity, especially when governments attempt to turn people against one another.
Gordon & Nika’s Relationship And Its Impact On The Story
The dynamic between Gordon and Nika plays a crucial role in shaping the events of I.S.S.. Over time, the two astronauts develop feelings for each other, which becomes apparent when Nika kisses Gordon before he heads out to repair the antenna.
However, tragedy strikes when Nicholai sabotages the mission by pushing Gordon into space and later discloses their secret orders to Nika. Devastated by Gordon’s presumed death and disillusioned by the crew’s alignment with their countries, Nika makes the drastic decision to destroy the entire station. Christian prevents her from carrying out this plan by killing her.
Later, Alexey discovers that Gordon is still alive and rescues him. Upon regaining consciousness, Gordon immediately asks about Nika. When he learns of her fate, he is overcome with rage and directs his fury at Nicholai, whom he blames for her death.
In an act of revenge, Gordon locks himself and Nicholai in a separate chamber and launches a violent attack. This sequence acts as a pivotal moment in the plot, resulting in the deaths of both men and leaving only three astronauts alive on the station.
The Fate Of The Rats Aboard I.S.S.
As part of her research, Kira conducts experiments on rats while aboard the space station. Alexey, however, warns her that animals often struggle to survive in that environment. Not long after, Kira discovers that half of her test subjects have been killed by the others. This serves as a metaphor for the astronauts themselves.
The situation aboard the space station mirrors that of the rats—both groups face two choices: engage in self-destruction or hold onto something greater than their immediate survival, such as scientific progress. Unfortunately, much like the rats, the astronauts end up turning on each other.
Towards the end of the film, Alexey places a net inside the rats’ enclosure, preventing the last two from harming each other. This small act carries huge weight, reinforcing the idea that cooperation leads to survival. Had the astronauts followed a similar path, they might have avoided their own downfall.
The Cause Of The War On Earth
The pivotal moment in I.S.S. occurs when the astronauts witness a series of explosions from orbit. Shortly after, they receive confirmation from their respective governments that full-scale war has broken out between Russia and the United States.
However, the film deliberately avoids specifying the exact cause of the conflict. There is no clear indication of who initiated the attacks or the motivations behind them.
Though details remain ambiguous, the film strongly suggests that nuclear weapons are involved. Given that Russia and the United States possess the largest nuclear arsenals in the world, it is plausible that a conflict between them would escalate to such levels.
Additional clues include discussions among the astronauts regarding a potential cure for radiation poisoning, as well as the visual depiction of the bomb detonations, which resemble theoretical projections of nuclear explosions seen from space.
The Relationship Between Science And Nationalism In I.S.S.
Upon arriving at the space station, Kira and Christian are introduced to an environment where political differences are left behind. The astronauts have long agreed to keep their focus on scientific research, maintaining neutrality when it comes to Earth’s conflicts.
Explosions on Earth ignite chaos aboard the International Space Station (Photo: I.S.S./LD Entertainment)However, the outbreak of war forces them to reconsider their loyalties. They must choose between following their governments’ orders or upholding their commitment to knowledge and discovery.
As the film progresses, it becomes evident that nationalism stands in direct opposition to scientific progress. This theme is emphasized in the final moments when Kira and Alexey physically work together to stop Christian, who embodies nationalist ideology.
Unlike them, he is unable to detach himself from the geopolitical tensions on Earth. His defeat symbolizes the triumph of cooperation over division and ensures that crucial scientific advancements, such as the radiation cure, remain intact.
The Deeper Meaning Behind I.S.S.’s Ending
When Kira first arrives at the space station, Nika teaches her a Russian phrase that translates to, “The important thing is that we stick together.” Though Kira struggles with pronunciation due to her limited knowledge of Russian, she makes an effort to learn it as a gesture of respect.
This small detail becomes highly important later in the story. During the climax of the film, Kira repeats the phrase to Alexey in Russian, demonstrating that she does not share Christian’s nationalist mindset.
This moment cements the film’s central message—unity is essential, even in the face of political and national divisions. Throughout I.S.S., the message remains clear: people are stronger together, and no government should have the power to turn individuals against one another.
