Among the numerous sci-fi productions that explore alien worlds, few dedicate themselves to building an ecosystem as complex and fascinating as this one. I’m talking about Scavengers Reign, one of the most creative sci-fi productions in recent years, presenting a living planet full of details and peculiarities, where survival requires adaptation rather than domination. With visual inspirations reminiscent of illustrator Moebius and elements of speculative biology, the series delivers a sensory and narrative experience worthy of recognition.
The Origins and Expansion of the Universe
Scavengers Reign originated from the short film Scavengers (2016), created by Joe Bennett and Charles Huettner. The short followed two astronauts attempting to survive on a hostile planet by ingeniously using its natural resources. The creators expanded this premise into a series, transforming these astronauts into the characters Ursula and Sam. They already know some of Vesta’s secrets but still face unexpected challenges in their attempt to escape.
The production faced various internal challenges at HBO, surviving platform restructuring before finally premiering in October 2023. Unfortunately, the series received little attention from the general audience despite strong appeal among sci-fi fans.
The Plot and Narrative Arcs
The series follows a group of survivors from the Demeter, a spaceship that crashes on the planet Vesta. The narrative unfolds through three main storylines:
- Ursula and Sam: Explorers trying to bring the ship back to the planet to escape. Despite their prior knowledge of Vesta, the alien ecosystem constantly surprises them.
- Azi and Levi: Another survivor, Azi, forms a bond with Levi, a robot that begins to mutate after being contaminated by a local fungus, gradually becoming an increasingly alien entity. Yes, an alien robot.
- Kamen: A man isolated from the other survivors, consumed by guilt and haunted by memories. He comes into contact with a native creature that manipulates him through his past.
Although the focus is on the human characters, Vesta is the true protagonist of the series. The planet is not merely a backdrop but a living, interconnected, and possibly sentient ecosystem. Its flora and fauna exhibit complex symbiotic relationships, where everything seems to be part of a larger organism. Rather than directly explaining how this world functions, the series allows viewers to piece together its intricacies by observing the characters’ interactions with the environment.
A Conclusion That Demands Continuation
While the series reaches a relatively closed ending, certain elements in the final episode suggest that the story still needs continuation. Several characters find a new equilibrium on Vesta, but they cannot leave the planet, forcing them to continue their lives there. Meanwhile, a new group of mysterious characters appears in the final moments, adding suspense and hinting that the story could extend far beyond what has been shown.
The way the series concludes not only reinforces the mystery of the planet but also leaves the impression that there is much more to explore in a second season. However, the production of a new season has faced ups and downs: initially, HBO dropped the series, leading Netflix to negotiate its continuation. Ultimately, though, Joe Bennett informed fans that Netflix also abandoned the project, issuing the following statement, which offers hope that this universe may still be revisited in the future:
“At the moment, Scavengers Reign has not been renewed for a second season. I want to inform everyone directly because I love our fans—they have been champions for the series, and I don’t want to leave anyone waiting. We fought tooth and nail for every step of this series, from the 2016 short film to the full show. This is not the end; there are still more stories to tell, and we are ready to create a second season. We even produced a small teaser for what season two would be. Thank you to everyone who watched and supported the series.”
— Joe Bennett
Conclusion
Scavengers Reign is a rare example of sci-fi that truly immerses itself in creating a plausible and intriguing alien world. Watching the series and encountering a fully alive and clearly hostile alien environment evokes two distinct emotions. The first is fascination and excitement at discovering something entirely new. The second is fear and concern over the dangers of the unknown.
The way the series unfolds and how the characters adapt to adverse conditions is also remarkable. By the end, they seem integrated into that environment—an unexpected shift when considering traditional “survive or perish” narratives in similar settings.
With a strong aesthetic influence from Moebius and a complex ecosystem based on speculative biology, the series challenges viewers to observe and interpret. For all these reasons, Scavengers Reign is an unmissable discovery for fans of the genre.
Available on Max
Available on Max, Scavengers Reign remains one of the most creative sci-fi productions in recent years. It is an invitation for those seeking something fresh and thought-provoking in science fiction. Now, we can only hope that its story continues in the future.
