The early science fiction films of the 50s and early 60s had a distinct look. The stories were often bad aliens vs humans on Earth or, occasionally, humans out in space. The special effects used were adequate for their time but are not up to today’s standards. The special effects used in Star Trek (the original series) and Battlestar Galactica were done on a shoestring. They were leaps and bounds above the quality of these early films.
Alan Ray, the writer/director of Adventures in Zeroworld: Shadow of Doom, has made a film that harkens back to the early days with cheap special effects and costuming that worked for films like the early Buck Rogers serials. But his script is intentionally campy, and his characters, while reminiscent of Star Trek, would have been rejected by Gene Roddenberry. And yet, his script works!
This film is campy and full of tropes borrowed from early space creature serials—characters, like Capt. J. Evermore Cake (played hilariously over the top by Matthew Tompkins, who is finally getting to display his comedic chops on the big screen) and my other favorite trope, the “damsel-in-distress” Dr. Varna (Gwendolynn Murphy), find themselves in more than one type of hot water.
The characters in the film range from lifelike mannequins to a wide assortment of odd creatures including a giant.
Adventures in Zeroworld: Shadow of Doom is a film that keeps you giggling at the story. It could easily be made into an entire series of films starring the intrepid crew of the Space Command ship Alpha Dog.
This film is coming to a film festival near you this year. Keep an eye out for it in your city!
Director: Alan Ray
Cast: Heath Allyn, Rick Appleton, Al Bianchi, Brant Bumpers, James Cable, Tom Chamberlain, Kerry Coward, Tom Davidson, Mary Farrar, Samuel French, Bobbie Grace, Matthew Hurley, Skeeta Jenkins, David Kroll, Kevin Kurz, Valerie Layne, Kelsey Mazak, Stewart McGregor, Valerie Michelson, Chad Mundo, Gwendolynn Murphy, Ray L. Perez, Angela Powers, Alan Ray, Brianna Ray, Emmy Robbin, Eric Robbins, Kaden Robbins, Eduardo Rodriguez Terry, Gene Ryan, Kacey Samiee, Kerry Tartack, Matthew Tompkins, Brian Villalobos, Katrina Waters, Christopher Winbush
MPA Rating: NR
Selig Rating: 4.5 Stars
Runtime: 73 Min.
Release Information: ADVENTURES IN ZEROWORLD: SHADOW OF DOOM will play U.S. film festivals in the Spring and Summer of 2026. For announcements and information, follow @studiofifteam and @adventures_in_zeroworld on Instagram. The film will hit streaming platforms later this year.
Language: English
Genre(s): Adventure, Sci-Fi
Movie Site: ADVENTURES IN ZEROWORLD Official Site
Trailer: ADVENTURES IN ZEROWORLD: SHADOW OF DOOM Official Trailer
The Selig Rating Scale:
5 Stars – Excellent movie/show, well worth the time and price.
4 Stars – Good movie/show
3 Stars – OK movie/show
2 Stars – Well, there was nothing else…
1 Star – Total waste of time.