Netflix's Extinguishing Director on what makes a great sci-fi movie

By David Griffin

Extinction of Netflix, directed by Ben Young, is an extraterrestrial invasion film with a leading cast, starring Michael Pena (Ant-Man and the Wasp) and Lizzy Caplan (Cloverfield). The story focuses on Peter (Pena), who has a recurring dream about a force from another world that invades the Earth. Unfortunately for Peter, his dream becomes a reality, "and he must find inner strength within himself in order to find a way to try to save his family," according to Young.

You can watch the exclusive trailer of Extinction below :

In an interview with IGN, Young talked about what makes a good sci-fi movie and explains how Extinction stood out from similar movies in kind

"It's (Extinction) has all that," said Young, adding, "There is so much more underneath, you know, the action and everything you expect of this kind of movie. "The screenwriters, Spenser Cohen and Brad Caleb Kane worked together to come up with some very clever ideas that, I think, make this movie a commentary on the current situation in our own world, and yes, that's the case. 39, is a little more, I think, than other sci-fi movies. "

Without going into spoilers, Yo Ung talked more about how the film is a commentary on modern society.

"The movie is really about who your enemies are, and who your allies are," Young said. "And I think that one of the things the movie really talks about is the importance of the family, and what a family we have our own definitions of what is this family and I think it changes slowly over time, and that (Extinction) also speaks of what makes an enemy an enemy … Why do we hate the people we hate? You know, District 9 is another sci-fi movie, I think, that was really great, because it spoke a lot I think there can be comparisons at this thematic level. "

Extinction is only the second feature film by Young, with the 2016 thriller, Hounds of Love, his first. Since "Excinction" is Young's first science fiction film, the director has named some of his favorite science fiction movie influences.

"It's a bit of a cliché, but when I was young, I was the biggest Star Wars nut in the world," Young said. "I still have, like, three hundred figurines that came out in the eighties, I was obsessed with the game. I think I saw A New Hope, well, well over two hundred I think it was awesome, and then, as I got older, a sci – fi film that really labeled me was Event Horizon, because it was absolutely terrifying, that 's it. was the first sci-fi movie that I've seen that crossed the Gattaca genres is another stand-up movie for me, because it's a sci-fi movie that does a lot of commentary on society, I love science fiction, because you have a glimpse of an original world if it's done well, and the best sci-fi movies, speak of something relevant in the modern world and real. "

With Netflix developing so much new content in 2018, Young has shed light on the provider is a good focus for science-fic tion.

"I think that's (Netflix) is a good home for everything, really," said Young, adding, "because one of the good things about Netflix is, all of world has access to everything at once.It's really exciting not to wait for everything to be released, you know, in a small window on cinema.It's available worldwide and people who participate in the movie can have access to other people all over the world and discuss it.So, I think it's great. "

Now that Young worked with Netflix on Extinction, we wanted to know what was going on. he had other ideas for movies or TV shows that would work on that particular platform. Young said, "I've always loved science fiction, but it's never something I've seen myself do, because if you know my first movie (Hounds of Love), that's could not be more different. I fell in love with science fiction during this movie, and I'm currently working on a huge sci-fi epic, which, you know, could become a film series if I get it right. . And it's something I write myself, and that I'd love to take to Netflix in the future.

David Griffin always looks at DuckTales in his pajamas with a bowl of cereal in his hand. He is also the TV editor for IGN. Say hello on Twitter .