Space Sweepers

Space Sweepers

Year: 2021

Runtime: 136 min

Language: Korean

Director: Sung-hee Jo

ActionAdventureSci-FiDramaFantasy

In a gritty future where salvaging space junk is a lucrative business, an unlikely crew of misfits on the spaceship Victory soars above the rest. When they stumble upon a crashed spacecraft containing a mysterious 7-year-old robot girl, they hatch a daring plan to ransom her off to the authorities, sparking a high-stakes adventure filled with action, drama, and sci-fi thrills.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen Space Sweepers yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline & Setting – Space Sweepers (2021)
Explore the full timeline and setting of Space Sweepers (2021). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

2092

Set in the year 2092, the film presents a dystopian future where Earth is nearly unlivable, forcing many to resort to scavenging for survival. This era is marked by the rise of monopolistic corporations like UTS, which seek to control the future of humanity through technology and strict regulations. The narrative highlights the social divide between the privileged few and the struggling masses during a time of unprecedented environmental failure.

Location

Earth, Mars, orbital sanctuary

The movie primarily takes place on a deteriorating Earth, ravaged by pollution and scarcity. In an effort to escape the planet's collapse, the UTS Corporation has established an orbital sanctuary meant to replicate Earth's ecosystem, accessible only to an elite group. Mars is depicted as the new frontier for humanity's survival, where genetically engineered flora is cultivated to foster a sustainable environment.

🌍 Earth 🚀 Mars 🌌 Space

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 19:10

Main Characters – Space Sweepers (2021)
Meet the key characters of Space Sweepers (2021), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

James Sullivan (Richard Armitage)

James Sullivan is the ambitious leader of UTS, whose vision for humanity's future is clouded by greed and manipulation. He enforces strict regulations to maintain control over the orbital sanctuary, viewing the less fortunate as expendable. Sullivan's character embodies the moral corruption that can arise from absolute power.

💼 Corporate 🔥 Antagonist 🗡️ Ruthless

Kim Tae-ho (Tae Ri Kim)

Kim Tae-ho is a determined former child soldier haunted by the loss of his daughter. His quest for redemption drives him to join the crew of the Victory and seek funding to find her. Tae-ho's character highlights themes of sacrifice, resilience, and the lengths one will go to for family.

👨‍👧 Father 🚀 Survivor 💔 Lost

Bubs (Hyang-gi Kim)

Bubs is a humanoid robot with a rich backstory as a former soldier, now serving as a salvager. She struggles with her identity and longs for a human form while showcasing loyalty and compassion towards her crew. Bubs represents the search for belonging and the blending of human and artificial traits.

🤖 Android ❤️ Loyal 💫 Brave

Dorothy (Ye-Rin Park)

Dorothy, also known as Kot-Nim, is a mysterious girl with unique abilities due to nanobots in her system. Initially perceived as a weapon, she represents innocence amidst a chaotic world. Her character arc brings depth to the film’s exploration of identity and the consequences of technological advancements.

👧 Innocent 🔍 Powerful ⚠️ Key

Kang Hyeon-u (Mu-Yeol Kim)

Kang Hyeon-u is Dorothy’s father whose desperate actions to save his daughter lead to complex consequences. His character is pivotal in revealing the ethical dilemmas surrounding the use of technology for personal motives. Hyeon-u’s journey adds an emotional layer to the narrative through themes of parental sacrifice.

👨‍🔬 Scientist 💔 Sacrificial 🚨 Fatherly

Hye-jin Yu (Hye-jin Yu)

The captain of the Victory, Hye-jin Yu is a former prodigy turned pirate. Her disillusionment with UTS’s true motives drives her to a life of rebellion. With a strong sense of leadership and vulnerability, she embodies the struggle between personal ambition and moral integrity.

⚔️ Leader 🦹‍♀️ Rebellious 🌌 Resilient

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 19:10

Major Themes – Space Sweepers (2021)
Explore the central themes of Space Sweepers (2021), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

⚖️ Justice

The theme of justice is explored through the crew's fight against the oppressive regime of UTS and Sullivan's ulterior motives. As they navigate moral dilemmas and treachery, their quest becomes one not only for survival but for the rights of those left behind. Their actions question the ethics of power and privilege in a world where the elite decide the fates of the less fortunate.

🤖 Identity

Identity plays a crucial role in the film, particularly through characters like Bubs and Kot-Nim. Bubs, as an android with memories of being human, longs for a complete identity, while Kot-Nim's existence blurs the line between human and machinery. Their journeys explore what it means to be human in a world dominated by technology and exploitation.

💔 Loss

The theme of loss permeates the story, significantly through Tae-ho's desperate search for his daughter and the sacrifices made by the crew. Each character grapples with their past traumas, and the loss of their former lives motivates their drive to change the future. This emotional backdrop highlights the cost of survival in a collapsing world.

🌌 Hope

Amidst the despair, hope shines through the crew's determination to protect Kot-Nim and their efforts to redeem themselves. Their journey reflects the resilience of the human spirit and the possibility of rebuilding after devastation. The bittersweet resolution of the film underscores the idea that even in darkness, unity and courage can pave the way for a brighter future.

Last Updated: October 22, 2024 at 19:10

Similar Movies to Space Sweepers
Discover movies like Space Sweepers that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.