Terra Formars (2016)

Terra Formars is the kind of gloriously unhinged sci-fi action-horror that only Takashi Miike would stage with a straight face and a wicked grin: a pulpy mission-to-Mars nightmare where survival depends on embracing the monstrous. The movie’s special pleasure is its gonzo commitment to creature mayhem and body-horror transformations, turning each fight into a frantic, inventive showcase of weird powers and desperate courage rather than generic laser-blasting. It moves with the breathless energy of an exploitation comic brought to life—loud, lurid, and surprisingly earnest about its underdog squad of misfits trying to do one impossible job. If you need grounded science or subtle character drama, this isn’t your shuttle to board, but if you want a bold, fan-forward adaptation that leans into its own bug-eyed madness, it’s a wildly watchable ride.

Terra Formars is clearly trying to be a pulpy, over-the-top sci‑fi horror ride: convicts on Mars, insect DNA superpowers, and a swarm of nightmare fuel cockroach-humanoids. The problem is it often plays like a rough draft of a bigger story, with thin characters, choppy pacing, and flashbacks that can feel more confusing than intriguing. The CGI and creature work are hit-or-miss, which matters a lot when the entire movie hinges on selling you on giant bug carnage, and Miike’s usually sharp edge feels oddly dulled here. If you’re not already invested in the manga/anime or you need coherent world-building to enjoy your action, this may frustrate you—but if you can tolerate B-movie logic and just want weird, gory insect mayhem, there are flashes of fun.