From Cold Stars to Warm Hearts

From Cold Stars to Warm Hearts: The Making of Signalis (2029)

The theatrical poster for Signalis (2029), featuring Lilith Itou and Alina Seo against the backdrop of the Sierpinski facility

Overview

Signalis (2029) is a psychological horror science fiction film directed by Sarah Chen-Martinez and produced through a collaboration between A24 Studios, Rose-engine Games, Humble Games, and Playism. The film, adapted from the critically acclaimed 2022 video game of the same name, garnered widespread acclaim for its haunting portrayal of love amidst cosmic horror and political oppression, while successfully translating the game's distinctive retro-futuristic aesthetic to the silver screen.

The film follows Ariane Yeong, a human pilot of the spacecraft Penrose-512, and LSTR-512 (nicknamed Elster), a Replika android engineer, technician, and security officer of the Penrose, as they navigate their relationship through the oppressive Eusan Nation's colonized solar system on a journey to explore other solar systems. Their story unfolds primarily across two locations: the perpetually frozen apartment blocks of Rotfront and the mysterious S-23 Sierpinski research facility and prison camp on the planet Leng, where cosmic horror and authoritarian brutality intertwine.

Production History

Political Context and Challenges

The film's production coincided with significant political upheaval in the United States following the contested 2024 Presidential Election and the tumultuous 2026 Congressional Midterms. The resulting political instability affected numerous aspects of the film's development, from funding to location scouting. Several planned shooting locations in the U.S. had to be relocated due to emerging diplomatic tensions, leading to the construction of elaborate sets in abandoned industrial complexes in Romania.

Set Design and World Building

The massive Rotfront colony set constructed in an abandoned mining facility in Romania

The film's production designer, Marcus Tanaka, drew inspiration from Soviet-era architecture, German Expressionism, and retrofuturistic anime aesthetics to create the film's distinctive visual style. The Rotfront colony sets were constructed within an abandoned mining town in Romania, utilizing the location's natural brutalist architecture and harsh winter conditions to capture the colony's oppressive atmosphere.

The S-23 Sierpinski facility scenes were filmed in a combination of practical sets built in Montreal's Cinespace Film Studios and digital extensions. The production team created over 50,000 square feet of interconnected corridors, chambers, and laboratories, incorporating biomechanical elements and Giger-influenced geometric patterns that become increasingly pronounced as the cosmic horror elements of the story emerge.

Cast and Characters

The film stars Emma Myers as Ariane Yeong and Anita Kurosawa as LSTR-512/Elster, with their performances receiving particular praise for bringing depth and humanity to the complex relationship at the story's core. Myers, known for her roles in the Backrooms Trilogy (2022-2027)and Wednesday (2022-2025), brought her experience with horror and character-driven narratives to the role of Ariane. Kurosawa, in her breakthrough Hollywood role, delivered a nuanced portrayal of Elster that balanced android precision with emerging humanity.

Character Adaptations

The film's interpretation of the main characters remained largely faithful to their video game counterparts while expanding their backgrounds and relationships. Ariane's character was developed further, with additional scenes exploring her life before joining the Eusan Nation's space program. Elster's struggle with her artificial nature and genuine emotions was given more screen time as she grows close to Ariane, allowing for a deeper exploration of the theme of consciousness and identity.

Supporting roles included:

• Jun Seo as Adler , second in command at Sierpinski

• Maria Volkov as Falke, the the mysterious Replika in charge of Sierpinski

• David Chen as Colonel Zhukov, a ruthless political officer from AEON and frequent tormentor of Ariane and her family.

• Miyoshi Sakura as Alina Seo, a Eusan soldier from Heimat who has unexplained ties to Ariane and someone who Elster inexplicably searches for in the final act of the film.

• Natasha Zhao as Lilith Itou, another Eusan soldier with ties to Alina Seo and a shocking connection to Elster.

Themes and Reception

The film explores themes of love, identity, and resistance against authoritarianism, set against a backdrop of cosmic horror. Critics particularly praised how the film balanced intimate character moments with larger philosophical questions about consciousness, free will, and the nature of reality. The New York Times called it "a masterclass in psychological horror that never loses sight of its beating human heart."

Controversies and Discourse

The film faced criticism from various political angles upon its release. Some left-wing critics argued that the film's portrayal of the Eusan Nation relied too heavily on Cold War stereotypes and oversimplified complex political ideologies. Meanwhile, far-right groups attempted to organize boycotts due to the central same-sex relationship, though these efforts ultimately failed to impact the film's commercial success.

Director Chen-Martinez defended the film's political elements, stating, "We weren't trying to make a statement about any real-world political system, but rather explore how love and humanity can persist even under the most oppressive circumstances." The film's success, both critically and commercially, demonstrated audiences' ability to engage with complex political themes while embracing its central love story.

Legacy and Impact

The intricate Sierpinski facility set showcasing the biomechanical design elements

Signalis has been credited with helping legitimize video game adaptations as serious artistic endeavors, with particular praise for how it translated the game's unique aesthetic and themes to film while maintaining its own identity. The film's success has led to increased interest in atmospheric horror games as source material for future adaptations.

The film's production techniques, particularly its blend of practical effects and selective use of CGI, have influenced subsequent science fiction films. The practical sets built for Rotfront and the Sierpinski facility have been preserved and are currently part of a traveling exhibition on film production design.

The movie has also been noted for its impact on representation in science fiction cinema, with its central relationship handled with unusual depth and sensitivity for the genre. This approach has influenced subsequent science fiction films to integrate LGBTQ+ relationships more naturally into their narratives.

Awards and Accolades

Signalis received numerous nominations and awards, including recognition for its production design, sound design, and performances. The film won the Grand Jury Prize at the 2029 Venice Film Festival and received multiple Academy Award nominations, including Best Production Design and Best Sound Mixing.

The film's success has led to discussions about potential follow-up projects, though Chen-Martinez has stated that any sequel would need to be approached with the same level of care and attention to detail as the original. The film's performance has also led to increased interest in adapting other atmospheric horror games, with several similar projects currently in development.