Nightflyers: A Forgotten 1987 sci‑fi thriller that has lingered on the fringes of genre history, mostly because tracking it down today is near-impossible.
Adapted from George R. R. Martin’s novella, the film was directed by Robert Jaffe and co-written with the author. It follows a crew pushing into deep space after a new stardrive is discovered, only to confront a menacing alien presence known as the Hrangan. With a tight budget and ambitious visuals, the movie leans into atmosphere over spectacle.
What the film attempts to do
The story unfolds as a space‑flight mission that blends techno thriller elements with a creeping sense of dread, and though it isn’t widely acclaimed, its moody tone has earned it a cult following.
From page to screen and back
Martin’s feelings about the project are mixed but affectionate; he has said the 1987 version didn’t hit big, yet it helped anchor the arc of his career. He noted on his personal blog that Nightflyers may not have saved his life, but it played a part in shaping everything he has written since.
Limited availability and legacy
Today, the feature is not available on major streaming services and has seen only a sparse home‑video release in 1987. You might stumble upon rare copies or fan uploads online, but there’s no official digital purchase route at the moment.
Some readers might also know Nightflyers from the 2018 Syfy series, which reimagined the premise for television and added a new layer of dread to the same basic setup.
Source: Original article
