Cosmic Sin
Cosmic Sin is a 2021 American science fiction action film directed by Edward Drake.[1] The movie stars Bruce Willis as James Ford, a disgraced retired general, alongside Frank Grillo, Brandon Thomas Lee, and Corey Large.[2] Set in the year 2524, four centuries after humans began colonizing outer planets, the plot follows a team of rogue soldiers who launch a preemptive strike against a newly discovered alien civilization to avert an interstellar war before it begins.[1][2] Produced on a modest budget, Cosmic Sin was written by Drake and Corey Large and released theatrically in limited release and on video-on-demand platforms by Saban Films on March 12, 2021.[3] The film features extensive computer-generated imagery for its futuristic setting and action sequences, including interstellar battles and alien encounters.[4] Despite its ambitious premise involving first contact and human-alien conflict, Cosmic Sin received overwhelmingly negative reviews from critics, who criticized its convoluted plot, wooden performances, and lack of originality.[3][1] On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds a 6% approval rating from critics based on 34 reviews, with an average score of 2.5/10, while the audience score is 54% as of November 2025.[1] IMDb users rate it 2.5 out of 10 from approximately 15,800 votes as of November 2025, often highlighting it as one of the weaker entries in Bruce Willis's late-career filmography.[2] The movie's reception underscores common critiques of low-budget sci-fi productions, including rushed visual effects and underdeveloped characters.[4]Synopsis and Cast
Plot
In the year 2524, four centuries after humanity's initial colonization of Mars in 2031, the Alliance governs human settlements across planets including Earth, Ellora, and Zafdie. Miners from the Vander Mining Corp on the remote planet 4217LYA in the Heracles System make first contact with an unseen alien race, resulting in the death of security officer Felix during an attack. Captain Juda Sayle reports the incident to the Alliance, but soon after, returning personnel are infiltrated by microscopic parasitic organisms known as the Sigea, which enable the aliens to mind-hack and control human hosts, turning them into zombie-like aggressors. This infiltration poses an existential threat, prompting the Alliance to activate Operation Cosmic Sin.[5] Disgraced General James Ford, previously discharged for deploying a quantum bomb that killed 70 million people, is recalled by General Ryle to lead a rogue team of soldiers—including Braxton Ryle, quantum physicist Fiona Ardene, Sol Cantos, Marcus Bleck, Alex Locke, and Dash—in a preemptive strike. The team, equipped with advanced space suits integrating weaponry and quantum propulsion technology, quantum leaps through a gate near the human colony of Ellora to the Sigea alien homeworld, carrying a devastating Q-bomb designed to annihilate the entire civilization. Upon arrival at an Alliance outpost defended by an orbital cannon, they encounter survivors battling hordes of infected hosts. Intense firefights ensue, with the team suffering heavy losses: 53 personnel die, Alex Locke is killed in combat, and the infected Captain Marcus Bleck is euthanized by Ford to prevent further spread. Dr. Lea Goss, Ford's ex-wife and an infected scientist, emerges as a key antagonist, coordinating the alien swarm.[5] Amid betrayals, including Juda Sayle being overtaken and executed by Braxton, the team uncovers an alien artifact signaling the Sigea's intent for interstellar domination. Ford confronts Goss in a brutal hand-to-hand battle, while the group activates the Q-bomb's timer. As the portal begins to destabilize, allowing more aliens to infiltrate human space, General Ryle sacrifices himself by manually detonating the device earlier than planned, creating a black hole that seals the quantum gateway and obliterates the Sigea home system. The survivors—Ford, Dash, Braxton, Ardene, and Sol—escape through the collapsing portal back to Earth, where the remaining Sigea forces surrender, averting a full-scale war. Ford mourns the loss of Goss.[5]Cast
The principal cast of Cosmic Sin (2021) is led by Bruce Willis in the role of James Ford, a disgraced retired general embodying the grizzled veteran archetype, whose portrayal is marked by limited screen time of approximately 5-6 minutes amid the film's 88-minute runtime.[7] Frank Grillo stars as General Eron Ryle, a strategic military leader who anchors the ensemble with his authoritative presence, drawing on his background in action roles to depict a no-nonsense commander.[8] The supporting ensemble includes actors portraying elite soldiers with military backgrounds, emphasizing team dynamics of coordination under pressure through firefights and tactical decisions.[7]| Actor | Character | Role Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bruce Willis | James Ford | Disgraced general and mission leader; veteran with individualistic demeanor.[8] |
| Frank Grillo | Gen. Eron Ryle | Current general overseeing the operation; strategic and ethical debater.[8] |
| Brandon Thomas Lee | Braxton Ryle | Young soldier and nephew to Ryle; action-oriented team member.[9] |
| Corey Large | Dash | Elite soldier contributing to the rogue team; also co-writer and producer.[10] |
| Adelaide Kane | Fiona Ardene | Tech-savvy operative in the military unit.[11] |
| Perrey Reeves | Dr. Lea Goss | Medical expert supporting the squad's efforts.[2] |
| C.J. Perry | Sol Cantos | Colonial soldier aiding the primary team.[12] |
| Lochlyn Munro | Alex Locke | Veteran operative with tactical role.[11] |
| Costas Mandylor | Marcus Bleck | Squad member focused on combat duties.[9] |