Quartile rating: 5.5/10 · 1 rating
When a virus threatens to turn the now earth-dwelling friendly alien hybrids against humans, Captain Rose Corley must lead a team of elite mercenaries on a mission to the alien world in order to save what's left of humanity.
Skylines is the third entry in Liam O'Donnell's low-budget sci-fi franchise, and it shows. The plot rehashes familiar alien-threat and mission-to-the-alien-homeworld tropes without meaningful reinvention, blending Aliens-style military action with a virus MacGuffin that feels perfunctory. Acting is serviceable at best, with Rose's character carrying the film but surrounded by thinly written support. Cinematography is a relative bright spot for a film of its budget, with decent production design on the alien world sequences. Novelty is low — it's a by-the-numbers sequel that recycles genre beats rather than distinguishing itself. The ending wraps up too conveniently given the stakes involved, offering little dramatic payoff.