Film Review: Underneath: Children of the Sun (8.5/10)

A Fearless Story About Power, Bloodlines, and the Cost of Survival

Underneath: Children of the Sun is an Afrofuturist science-fiction drama that refuses to stay in one time, one place, or one genre. Written and directed by St. Louis filmmaker David Kirkman, the film has a clear purpose: blending historical trauma, speculative sci-fi, and generational storytelling into a single, cohesive vision. This is Kirkman's directorial feature debut, and frankly, it is astonishing what he achieved with a reported budget of just $150,000. It looks and feels like a project with ten times that resources.

This isn’t just a movie you watch; it’s a statement. It challenges the boundaries of what indie cinema can look like and proves that you don't need a Marvel budget to tell a story with Marvel-sized ambition.

STORY (2/2)

The story of Underneath: Children of the Sun is fundamentally about what gets passed down—whether we want it or not. It begins in a very real and painful moment in American history: 1857, Little Dixie, Missouri. The film grounds the audience in the brutal reality of slavery before introducing an element that completely shifts the scale of the story: a crashed alien spaceship.

When an enslaved man named Khalil (played with intense gravity by Jordan Walker) discovers the wreckage, the film doesn't use it as a simple escape pod. The arrival of alien technology doesn’t erase the brutality of the time period; instead, it complicates it. It introduces a cosmic variable into a very human atrocity. From there, the film stretches forward through generations, spanning all the way to a futuristic 2044, following how this power changes hands and shapes destinies.

What makes the storytelling stand out is its refusal to hold the audience’s hand. The film doesn’t explain everything right away, and sometimes it doesn’t explain at all. It treats the audience as intelligent participants. Instead of exposition dumps, it trusts the viewer to connect themes of survival, inheritance, and responsibility across time. The pacing can be heavy at times—it lingers in the quiet moments—but it matches the weight of what’s being explored. This isn’t a fast or easy story, but it’s a meaningful one. The combination of historical reality and cosmic consequence is what makes the narrative feel bold and original.

VISUALS (1.5/2)

Visually, the film makes strong, deliberate choices that support its themes. The historical scenes feel grounded and raw, often darker in tone with natural lighting that emphasizes the harshness of the environment. You feel the cold and the dirt. In contrast, the sci-fi elements bring in light, neon glows, and sharp contrasts. This visual separation helps emphasize how unnatural—and dangerous—the alien power truly is within a human world.

Color is used intentionally, especially when the artifact is present, signaling its importance without words. The use of vibrant purples and golds against the muted earth tones of the 19th century creates a visual language that speaks to the "royalty" of the alien lineage clashing with the oppression of the human condition.

While the film doesn’t always reach blockbuster-level polish, its visuals are confident and creative. Some effects are rough around the edges, but they never feel careless. Instead, they add to the film’s gritty, myth-like quality. It feels tactile. There are several moments where the visuals leave a real impression, particularly when alien technology is first revealed in the woods. The film may not be perfect visually, but it clearly knows what it wants to look like—and why. It punches way above its weight class.

SOUND (1.5/2)

The sound design works quietly but effectively throughout the film. Dialogue is mostly clear, allowing emotional moments to land without distraction, which is often a pitfall for indie films. Sound effects tied to the alien elements are subtle, creating tension rather than overwhelming the scene. The film understands when to be loud and when to pull back, using silence as a weapon.

The score carries a spiritual weight, blending futuristic synth tones with something ancestral and rooted, like drums and humming. Music often rises at moments of transformation or realization, reinforcing the idea of destiny and consequence. There are a few moments where the mix could be smoother, but nothing that pulls you out of the experience. Overall, the sound supports the story and deepens its emotional impact, grounding the fantastical elements in a sonic reality.

CHARACTER (1.5/2)

The characters are the heart of Underneath: Children of the Sun. Each generation feels connected, even when separated by time. You can see how one choice echoes forward and reshapes the lives that come after it. The film does a strong job showing how power affects people differently—some try to protect it, some exploit it, and some are destroyed by it.

The performances feel honest and committed, which helps ground the film’s larger ideas. Jordan Walker anchors the film, delivering a performance that bridges the gap between historical tragedy and sci-fi heroism. The costume, makeup, and design clearly define each era and add depth to the characters’ identities. The transition from the rags of 1857 to the sleek, Afrofuturist aesthetic of the future characters (played by actors like Ezekiel Olukoya and Julisa Powell) is seamless because the emotional core remains the same. While some supporting characters could have been explored more, none feel pointless. The emotional weight carried by the actors makes the story believable, even when it moves into cosmic territory.

FACTOR X (2/2)

What really sets this film apart is its intention. Underneath: Children of the Sun isn’t chasing trends or spectacle—it’s telling a story that feels necessary. The film asks hard questions about who gets power, who pays the price for it, and whether the future can ever be separated from the past. Its Afrofuturist lens doesn’t feel decorative; it feels essential to the message.

It reminds me of the ambition of Black Panther mixed with the grounded mystery of Nope, but with a distinct, indie voice that refuses to compromise. Even when the film stumbles slightly under its own ambition, its heart is always present. You can feel that this story matters to the people who made it. That sincerity goes a long way. It’s the kind of film that stays with you, not because it gives easy answers, but because it refuses to.

Underneath: Children of the Sun is a powerful and ambitious film that blends history, science fiction, and generational storytelling into something bold and thought-provoking. It may not be for viewers looking for a simple or fast-paced experience, but for those willing to engage, it offers something meaningful.

Fans of Afrofuturism and socially conscious sci-fi will find a lot to appreciate here. The film’s strength lies in its vision and emotional weight, even when its execution isn’t perfect. It’s a story that challenges, reflects, and lingers.

FINAL SCORE: 8.5/10

Where to Watch: Youtube

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