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Life (2017 film)

Life is a 2017 American science fiction horror film directed by Daniel Espinosa and written by Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Life is a 2017 American science fiction horror film directed by Daniel Espinosa and written by Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick. The film stars Jake Gyllenhaal, Rebecca Ferguson, and Ryan Reynolds as members of an International Space Station crew that discovers an alien life form from Mars and struggles to contain it.

Premise

The story centres on astronauts and scientists aboard the International Space Station who study a sample returned from Mars. The discovery becomes a survival crisis when the organism, nicknamed Calvin, rapidly evolves intelligence and turns hostile.

Production and release

Life was directed by Daniel Espinosa and written by Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick. It premiered at South by Southwest on March 18, 2017, and was released in the United States by Sony Pictures Releasing / Columbia Pictures on March 24, 2017. The film received an R rating for sci-fi violence, language, and terror. It is widely available to Canadian audiences through home media and streaming platforms.

Cast

The ensemble cast includes Jake Gyllenhaal, Rebecca Ferguson, Ryan Reynolds, Hiroyuki Sanada, Ariyon Bakare, and Olga Dihovichnaya. The film’s characters are primarily crew members of the International Space Station.

Genre and themes

The film combines science fiction, horror, and thriller elements. Its narrative focuses on containment, survival, and the danger of unfamiliar life forms in a confined environment.

Key facts

  • The film is set aboard the International Space Station.
  • The crew discovers a Martian organism that rapidly evolves into a lethal threat.
  • The alien organism is nicknamed Calvin.
  • The film premiered at South by Southwest before its U.S. theatrical release.
  • It received an R rating for sci-fi violence, language, and terror.
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Canadian context

The film was released internationally and is widely available to Canadian audiences through home media and streaming platforms, making it familiar to Canadian viewers of Hollywood science fiction horror.

Frequently asked questions

What is Life (2017 film) about?
It is about an International Space Station crew that discovers a Martian organism which rapidly evolves into a lethal threat.
Who directed Life?
Life was directed by Daniel Espinosa.
Who wrote Life?
The screenplay was written by Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick.
When was Life released?
It premiered on March 18, 2017, and was released in the United States on March 24, 2017.
What genre is Life?
It is a science fiction horror film.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Life_(2017_film)
    Supports: Basic film credits, premise, premiere date, and U.S. release date
  2. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/life_2017
    Supports: Director, genre, rating, runtime, release date, and synopsis
  3. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/title/tt5442430/
    Supports: Plot premise, cast, and film identification
  4. Netflix — https://www.netflix.com/title/80158764
    Supports: Synopsis, cast, and genre metadata