History NightmareFuel / Gravity

** The catastrophe that kicks off the events of the film is called the KesslerSyndrome. It postulates that the density of objects (Satellites, Space Stations and other debris) in low Earth orbit could increase to the point where a major collision between objects could result in a chain reaction that creates a cloud of shrapnel that would pulverize anything unfortunate enough to get in its way, thus creating even more debris. Even worse, that's not made up at all, it's a real phenomenon that can occur with the right conditions. ''This might even happen within the next 100 years.''[[note]]The defunct [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Envisat Envisat]] spacecraft is one of the largest pieces of space debris in orbit, and it orbits at an altitude where the debris environment is the greatest. Every year at least 2 tracked objects pass within 200 meters of it and that number is likely to increase. If Envisat were to collide with a large object, it could very well trigger a Kessler Syndrome-like event.[[/note]]

* The entire premise. It portrays the cruel and heartless nature of space. Especially since it could actually happen...this movie practically ''runs'' on NightmareFuel.

** The catastrophe that kicks off the events of the film is called the [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kessler_syndrome Kessler Syndrome ]]. It postulates that the density of objects (Satellites, Space Stations and other debris) in low Earth orbit could increase to the point where a major collision between objects could result in a chain reaction that creates a cloud of shrapnel that would pulverize anything unfortunate enough to get in its way, thus creating even more debris. Even worse, that's not made up at all, it's a real phenomenon that can occur with the right conditions. ''This might even happen within the next 100 years.''[[note]]The defunct [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Envisat Envisat]] spacecraft is one of the largest pieces of space debris in orbit, and it orbits at an altitude where the debris environment is the greatest. Every year at least 2 tracked objects pass within 200 meters of it and that number is likely to increase. If Envisat were to collide with a large object, it could very well trigger a Kessler Syndrome-like event.[[/note]]

* The cold pre-recorded Chinese voice on the Tiangong's PA. It sounds eerily calm despite the alarms and rumbling from the falling station.

--> ''[[OhCrap Shit]]."

[[caption-width-right:350:This is what happens when pieces of space debris hit your face at Mach 20.[[note]]In reality, his head would have exploded, so be grateful that ''this'' is what we got instead.[[/note]]]]

* Read #4 of this [[http://www.cracked.com/article_19142_5-soviet-space-programs-that-prove-russia-was-insane.html article]] Then watch ''Gravity'' again. Good luck sleeping soundly for a while...

[[caption-width-right:350:This is what happens when pieces of space debris hit your face at Mach 20.]]

** Just the sheer level of horror that the opening disaster provides, with Ryan tumbling away from the aftermath. The situation is so hopeless that it truly feels like Ryan is about to die, and we stay with her the whole time as the terror of realizing she has no chance of rescue comes over her. [[spoiler: Some fans even speculate that her rescue and the whole movie [[DelusionConclusion is a survival fantasy that plays out in her head as she drifts away to her death]].]]

* The fact that Kowalski [[spoiler: has a while before he succumbs to hypoxia or hypothermia to think about the fact that if only he hadn't burned up all that fuel trying to set the spacewalk record, he wouldn't be dying in space and would be able to help Ryan pull through.]]
* [[spoiler:The death of Shariff, who had debris go ''right through his head'' and is seen with a FatalFamilyPhoto floating over his corpse. Brr.]]
** Speaking of them, [[spoiler:their reveal is the film's only [[JumpScare jump scare]], but goddamn is it a massive one.]]

* At the end, when Ryan is [[spoiler:gasping for air when the capsule is filling up with water. Then when she is sinking down due to the weight of the spacesuit.]] She must have humongous lungs!

* The quiet sequences where Ryan is alone in space give a very scary [[SealedRoomInTheMiddleOfNowhere Sealed Suit/shuttle In The Middle Of Space]] vibe. NothingIsScarier also applies since you get the idea something, anything could happen. Finally, being in a damaged shuttle [[spoiler:or escape pod]] that is [[spoiler:seemingly]] damaged heavily invokes... [[AndIMustScream a state of inescapable limbo.]]

** Just the sheer level of horror that the opening disaster provides, with Ryan tumbling away from the aftermath. The situation is so hopeless that it truly feels like Ryan is about to die, and we stay with her the whole time as the terror of realizing she has no chance of rescue comes over her. [[spoiler: Some fans even speculate that her rescue and the whole movie is a survival fantasy that plays out in her head as she drifts away to her death.]]

** The catastrophe that kicks off the events of the film is called the [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kessler_syndrome Kessler Syndrome ]]. It postulates that the density of objects (Satellites, Space Stations and other debris) in low Earth orbit could increase to the point where a major collision between objects could result in a chain reaction that creates a cloud of shrapnel that would pulverize anything unfortunate enough to get in its way, thus creating even more debris. Even worse, ''this could happen within the next 100 years.''[[note]]The defunct [[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Envisat Envisat]] spacecraft is one of the largest pieces of space debris on orbit, and it orbits at an altitude where the debris environment is the greatest. Every year at least 2 tracked objects pass within 200 meters of it and that number is likely to increase. If Envisat were to collide with a large object, it could very well trigger a Kessler Syndrome-like event.[[/note]]

* People with extreme fears of heights, kenophobes, and/or agoraphobes in general will be very freaked out, to say the least.

* Unleaded fuel: in reality there wouldn't be any convenient space stations within reach. You'd just orbit helplessly until you died. (This actually makes real-life space explorers ''more'' awesome, because they know that.)
* At the end, when Ryan is [[spoiler:gasping for air when the capsule is filling up with water. Then when she is sinking down due to the weight of the space suit.]] She must have humongous lungs!

** Not to mention everyone else in the Space Shuttle. [[FridgeHorror Made worse if you know the science behind their fates]]- sudden decompression like that would suck the oxygen from their lungs, while simultaneously freeze-drying them alive. It would take approximately twenty solid seconds for them to pass out.

!!![[Film/{{Gravity}} Film]]

* "Explorer, this is Kowalski, confirm visual contact with debris." And the shuttle can't make any motion to evade with the arm extended and the presence of the Hubble. They have to watch it come in and pray. It's not enough.

** Not to mention everyone else in the Space Shuttle. [[FridgeHorror Made worse if you know the science behind their fates]]- sudden decompression like that would suck the oxygen from their lungs, while simultaneously freeze-drying them alive. It would take approximately twenty solid seconds for them to die.

[[caption-width-right:350:This is what happens when pieces of space debris hits your face at Mach 20.]]

[[caption-width-right:350:This is what happens when space debris hits your face at a rapid speed.]]

** Speaking of them, [[spoiler:their reveal is the film's only [[JumpScare jump scare, but goddamn is it a massive one.]]]]

* Read #4 of this article[[http://www.cracked.com/article_19142_5-soviet-space-programs-that-prove-russia-was-insane.html ]]Then watch ''Gravity'' again. Good luck sleeping soundly for a while...