Liquid Sky (1982)
81%RT Audience Score: 70%
Awards & Nominations: NA
Liquid Sky is a film that defies categorization, blending elements of punk rock, science fiction, black comedy, and high fashion into a unique and unforgettable cinematic experience. While some may find its over-the-top style and lack of narrative coherence off-putting, those who are willing to embrace its eccentricities will be rewarded with a film that is both visually stunning and thematically rich. From its throbbing music score to its trippy special effects, Liquid Sky is a spacey odyssey that explores the intersection of sex, drugs, and punk rock with a wry sense of humor and a deep sense of humanity. Anne Carlisle’s dual performance as a model and her male counterpart is a tour de force of acting, projecting a disturbing and original aura of opaque, ingrained despair. Liquid Sky is a film that demands to be seen and discussed, a rare gem of independent cinema that challenges its audience to think and feel in new and unexpected ways.
Liquid Sky is a wild ride of punk rock, sci-fi, and black humor that will leave you wondering what the heck you just watched. But in a good way! The film doesn’t take itself too seriously and neither should you. Just sit back, enjoy the trippy effects and thumping music score, and let yourself be transported to a world where anything is possible. And who knows, maybe you’ll even come away with a new appreciation for love and drugs. Just don’t expect it to make too much sense.
Production Company(ies)
Distributor
Z Films Inc.
Release Type
Filming Location(s)
MPAA / Certificate
Year of Release
1982
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Color:Color
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Sound mix:Dolby
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Aspect ratio:NA
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Runtime:1h 52m
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Language(s):
-
Country of origin:United States
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Release date:Release Date (Streaming): Aug 15, 2018
Genre(s)
Sci-fi
Keyword(s)
starring Anna Carlisle, Paula E Sheppard, Susan Doukas, directed by Slava Tsukerman, written by Slava Tsukerman, Nina V Kerova, Anne Carlisle, Sci-fi, box office performance, budget, reviewed by Derek Malcolm, Eleanor Ringel Cater, Jay Carr, Alan Scherstuhl, Variety Staff, Dave Kehr, Rob Gonsalves, Cindy Patton, Alan Jones, Matt Brunson, Diego Galán, Tyler Smith, R rating, Z Films Inc., Margaret, Jimmy, Adrian, Sylvia, Flat (1.85:1), aspect ratio, punk subculture, alien creature, opiate, brain, orgasm
Worldwide gross: NA
Worldwide gross (inflation-adjusted): NA
Worldwide gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
Worldwide tickets sold (est.): NA
US/Canada gross: NA
US/Canada gross (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada gross ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada opening weekend:
US/Canada opening weekend (inflation-adjusted): NA
US/Canada opening weekend ranking (inflation-adjusted): NA
Budget and Earnings Details
Production budget (est.): NA
Production budget (inflation-adjusted): NA
Production budget ranking: NA
Marketing and distribution budget (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
Box office net earnings to date (inflation-adjusted est.): NA
ROI to date (est.): NA
ROI ranking: NA
Paula E. Sheppard – Adrian
Susan Doukas – Sylvia
Slava Tsukerman – Director
Director(s)
Slava Tsukerman
Writer(s)
NA
Producer(s)
NA
Film Festivals
Awards & Nominations
NA
Academy Awards
All Critics (27) | Top Critics (10) | Fresh (25) | Rotten (2)
The film is a melange of electric theatre, parody, caricature and mock-seriousness. It works well if you let it. Some might not bother. But I rather liked it.
August 20, 2021
Derek Malcolm
Guardian
TOP CRITIC
This film doesn’t give a Day-Glo damn about making sense, but in its own deadpan, punked-out way, it’s quite funny.
June 9, 2021
Eleanor Ringel Cater
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
TOP CRITIC
It’s punk sci-fi, black comedy executed at the level of a vicious high-fashion comic strip; yet it rises above its banalities and leaves an imprint.
April 28, 2018
Jay Carr
Boston Globe
TOP CRITIC
The film might sound ludicrous, and it is often funny – intentionally – but it’s impassioned rather than some grim joke.
April 10, 2018
Alan Scherstuhl
Village Voice
TOP CRITIC
Liquid Sky is an odd, yet generally pleasing mixture of punk rock, science fiction, and black humor.
April 11, 2007
Variety Staff
Variety
TOP CRITIC
Anne Carlisle, who stars as both the model and her creepy male counterpart, projects a disturbing and original aura of opaque, ingrained despair.
April 11, 2007
Dave Kehr
Chicago Reader
TOP CRITIC
Its post-punk callousness gives it an irreverent kick.
December 1, 2022 | Rating: A-
Rob Gonsalves
Rob’s Movie Vault
The film does not permit despair or inaction. Rather, it begs a wry laugh and the courage to change our world against all odds.
September 13, 2022
Cindy Patton
Gay Community News (Boston)
Over-indulgent and stylistically over the top to a distracting degree on every level.
August 1, 2022
Alan Jones
Starburst
The film’s throbbing music score, trippy effects, and commentary on sex, drugs & (punk) rock’n’roll mark it as a particularly spacey odyssey.
August 29, 2021 | Rating: 3/4
Matt Brunson
Film Frenzy
A rare film where color and fantasy don’t hide the attempt to discuss love and drugs. [Full Review in Spanish]
September 6, 2019
Diego Galán
El Pais (Spain)
Those that are willing to engage with the film on its own strange level will be rewarded with a memorable film experience.
July 9, 2019
Tyler Smith
Battleship Pretension…
Plot
An alien creature invades New York’s punk subculture in search of an opiate released by the brain during orgasm in the sci-fi film Liquid Sky.
Trivia
Goofs / Tidbits
The film stars Anna Carlisle in a dual role as both the model and her creepy male counterpart.
Slava-Tsukerman.jpg
