Steve Pink ‘s latest film, the twisty thriller “ Terrestrial ,” might not seem to have a lot in common with his biggest hit, the raucous 2010 comedy “Hot Tub Time Machine.” But the sci-fi-fueled trips share some DNA.

“On a very basic level, they’re not different, because you’re trying to tell a story that people will find interesting,” the director says. “People laugh because it’s surprising when you’re creating something that’s obviously funny. In this case, it’s terror. You’re creating a story with people that you know are heading in the other direction. So the anxiety and stress that’s created by the story you’re telling elicits a different response. My job is to make sure that happens.”

“Terrestrial,” which was written by Connor Diedrich and Samuel Johnson, begins with a simple id

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