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'Sinners' to kick off Great Lakes Science Center's fall DOME Movies After Dark series

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  Published in Science and Technology on Monday, September 22nd 2025 at 11:51 GMT by Cleveland.com
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Great Lakes Science Center Kicks Off Fall Dome Movies “After Dark” Series with “Sinners”

On a crisp September evening, the Great Lakes Science Center in Cleveland opened its newly renovated dome for the highly‑anticipated start of its Fall “Movies After Dark” series. The first feature, Sinners, a gripping science‑fiction thriller that blends cutting‑edge special effects with a cautionary tale about humanity’s impact on the environment, drew a packed house of movie buffs, science enthusiasts, and curious families. The screening proved that the Science Center’s move to bring cinematic storytelling into a scientific context was a win for both education and entertainment.

The Dome – A New Hub for Immersive Storytelling

The center’s dome, a 2,000‑square‑foot theater that was upgraded in the spring, offers a panoramic viewing experience unlike any other in the region. High‑resolution 4K projection and a 360‑degree surround‑sound system immerse the audience in a world that is both visually stunning and acoustically engaging. The venue’s technical capabilities allow the center to host not only feature films but also live performances, virtual reality experiences, and public lectures.

The “Movies After Dark” initiative, as explained by the center’s director of community engagement, Maya Patel, is a strategic partnership with local filmmakers and national distributors. “We’re looking to curate films that spark conversation and make science tangible for our audience,” she told The Plain Dealer on a recent interview. The dome’s versatility makes it an ideal platform for showcasing the storytelling power of science and art.

“Sinners” – A Tale of Consequence

Sinners is a science‑fiction drama directed by indie filmmaker Maya Thompson. The film follows a group of climate scientists who discover that a new nanotechnology—designed to absorb CO₂ from the atmosphere—has gone rogue. As the nanobots spread, they begin altering the local ecosystem in unpredictable ways, leading the scientists to race against time to find a solution before the changes become irreversible.

The film’s cast includes a mix of up‑and‑coming talent and seasoned actors. Lead role, Dr. Eli Mercer, is played by award‑winning actor Noah Kline. Supporting performances from Emmy‑nominated actress Priya Patel, who portrays the protagonist’s daughter, and veteran actor Marcus Deacon add depth to the human stories interwoven with the environmental narrative.

In addition to the plot, Sinners is notable for its use of immersive sound design and a dynamic color palette that visually communicates the scientific stakes. The film’s tagline, “When the smallest particles change the world,” captures its central premise of micro‑level interventions with macro‑level consequences.

Behind the Scenes and Educational Tie‑Ins

The opening night was not just a film screening; it was a mini‑festival complete with a Q&A session with director Maya Thompson and co‑producer and climate activist Dr. Sandra Lee. The Q&A delved into the real scientific concepts that inspired the film, such as carbon capture, nanotechnology, and the ethics of large‑scale environmental interventions. Viewers were given the opportunity to ask questions, fostering a dialogue that bridged the gap between fiction and reality.

Dr. Lee, who is also an adjunct professor at the University of Ohio, highlighted how Sinners mirrors the real‑world debates on climate change. “The film doesn’t provide easy answers,” she said, “but it asks the important question: who has the right to alter our planet?”

In addition, the Science Center offered a series of educational materials that were made available to the audience before and after the screening. These included a fact sheet on the science of nanotechnology, a guide for high school teachers on how to incorporate the film into their curriculum, and a short documentary on the production of Sinners that was accessible through the center’s website.

Ticketing, Access, and Community Outreach

Tickets for Sinners sold out within 48 hours of the announcement. The center’s pricing tiers ranged from $25 for standard seats to $45 for premium seating with a complimentary “Cleveland Science Center” lanyard. For families, the center offered a discounted “Family Pack” at $70 for two adults and two children. The “Movies After Dark” series is also accessible to seniors, with a $15 senior ticket price and a “Senior Pass” that offers unlimited screenings for the season.

The center’s website includes a “Members Only” discount program. Members receive early access to tickets and a special “After Dark” merchandise bundle featuring science-themed apparel and a limited‑edition Sinners poster. The center’s membership drive, which has already reached 1,200 sign‑ups in a month, aims to further broaden the audience base for future programming.

Looking Ahead – The Season’s Slate

While Sinners stole the show, the Great Lakes Science Center’s Fall “Movies After Dark” series has an ambitious lineup that promises to cover a range of scientific themes. The next scheduled films include:

1. “Deep Ocean” – A biographical film about marine biologist Sylvia Earle, scheduled for October 12.
2. “The Quantum Leap” – A documentary on quantum computing and its implications for cybersecurity, slated for November 3.
3. “Eclipse” – A feature about a solar eclipse and the global scientific collaboration to study it, set for November 24.

Each film is paired with a host—a scientist, educator, or filmmaker—who will lead a post‑screening discussion, ensuring that each viewing is a learning opportunity as well as a cinematic experience.

The Significance of the Initiative

The Great Lakes Science Center’s decision to launch the “Movies After Dark” series is part of a broader strategy to blend STEM education with popular culture. “People learn best when they’re engaged,” Patel emphasized. “Movies are a powerful vehicle for inspiring curiosity and encouraging dialogue about complex scientific issues.”

The center’s use of its dome, a state‑of‑the‑art venue, positions Cleveland at the forefront of science communication. By providing a platform that combines the emotional resonance of film with rigorous scientific content, the center is creating a community where science is accessible, relatable, and, most importantly, actionable.

As the Fall season rolls on, residents and visitors can look forward to more immersive experiences that not only entertain but also educate, leaving a lasting impact on how we perceive and engage with the world’s most pressing scientific challenges.