The Asphyx

This week's smartest sci-fi pick in the US on Kanopy is The Asphyx. The runtime earns every minute, with nothing here that feels like padding. Its 6/10 TMDB score, built from 82 ratings, reflects a title that consistently delivers. Watch it for Robert Powell — the performance elevates material that could easily tip into self-seriousness. There is no real reason to keep putting it off — it is right there on Kanopy.

The Asphyx arrived without much fanfare and built its audience the hard way — through word of mouth. What makes The Asphyx work is that the ideas never crowd out the people having them. Hugo is a brilliant turn-of-the-century scientist, loved and respected by his family and friends, admired by his colleagues. But he is a man quickly becoming obsessed with a curious and frightening question...What is the mysterious apparition found in the photographs of his dying subjects? The human element stays intact thanks to Robert Powell and Robert Stephens, who anchor every scene. The Asphyx came out in 1972. What separates The Asphyx from lesser genre entertainment is a willingness to let the concept cost the characters something. It delivers reliably on what it promises, which is more than most of its competition manages.

The Asphyx is satisfying on multiple levels — something to watch and something to think about after. It does not lean on comparisons to make its case. Short enough to finish in one sitting, substantial enough to feel satisfying. Robert Powell's performance is the anchor the more ambitious moments need. The world-building pays off in ways you will not anticipate on a first watch.

The Asphyx was released in 1972, directed by Peter Newbrook. The full 99-minute film is available to watch now. Find exactly where it's streaming below, and TV Butler Pro makes it effortless to track your progress as you go. Just search the name, and Butler finds it instantly, tells you which service has it, and remembers exactly where you left off.