Invasion
Invasion
5.654%
Two years after the fall of the alien ship, the life of a young woman from Moscow has been changed forever. Her growing powers are now at the focus of both human and celestial investigation: an alien force takes an interest in her, and will stop short of nothing, including an invasion. Can love and compassion save humanity, when faced with a much greater and more demanding test this time?
Michael Heimgartner reviewedJune 1, 2025
Attraction 2: Invasion is the kind of sequel that doubles down on visual ambition but loses some of the emotional and narrative clarity that made its predecessor accessible. While it remains a technically impressive achievement—especially for a Russian blockbuster—it often stumbles in trying to tell a story that is far more complex than it needs to be.
Let’s start with the strengths. The special effects are once again absolutely top-tier. The final 30 minutes of the film, especially the extended water sequences, are masterfully executed. These scenes create real tension and visual grandeur. The interplay of elemental forces—particularly the striking imagery of water masses converging—evokes an almost biblical atmosphere, subtly inspired by the Genesis motif of separation and reunion. It’s this kind of high-concept visual storytelling that sets the film apart.
The cinematography is excellent, and the camera work remains fluid and stylish throughout. Also worth noting: the teen drama element from the first film has been toned down considerably here, which works in the sequel’s favor. The pacing improves as the film progresses, even if it takes a while to gain traction.
On a thematic level, the film introduces intriguing ideas: dependence on digital media, misinformation, and the vulnerability of modern society in a hyperconnected world. There’s a clever angle in how people are forced to abandon mobile devices to discern truth from illusion—a surprisingly timely concept that resonates well in today’s climate of media skepticism and digital overload.
Unfortunately, the film’s biggest flaw is its convoluted storytelling. The plot feels unnecessarily complicated, packed with philosophical exposition and overlapping threads that don’t always come together cohesively. Instead of deepening the emotional core, it ends up distancing the viewer. Where the first film had a clear arc, this sequel often gets lost in its own ambition.
Attraction 2: Invasion may lack the narrative focus of its predecessor, but it compensates with even more spectacular visuals and a few bold ideas about technology, truth, and human connection. While it’s conceptually messy, it remains an impressive and entertaining sci-fi spectacle that once again proves Russian cinema can visually compete with Hollywood on every level.