Directed by James Gray(The Lost City of Z, La Nuit nous appartient), Ad Astra is an intimate and spectacular space odyssey, combining cosmic exploration and introspection.
The story follows Roy McBride(Brad Pitt), an astronaut on a perilous mission: to find his father, who disappeared years ago on an expedition to Neptune while searching for extraterrestrial life forms. His father, the legendary Clifford McBride(Tommy Lee Jones), is now suspected of being responsible for mysterious cosmic phenomena threatening the Earth.
On his journey through the void of space, Roy must confront isolation, self-doubt and the hidden truths of his past, in an adventure that raises profound philosophical questions about existence and our place in the universe.
With its striking photography and immersive soundtrack, Ad Astra offers a realistic and emotional approach to science fiction, in the tradition of films such as Interstellar and 2001: A Space Odyssey.
Ad Astra will air on Netflix from March 18, 2025 and is already available on Disney+.
Synopsis: Astronaut Roy McBride ventures to the farthest reaches of the solar system in search of his missing father and to solve a mystery that threatens the survival of our planet. During his journey, he is confronted with revelations that call into question the very nature of human existence, and our place in the universe.
Ad Astra is aimed at viewers who appreciate realistic, introspective science-fiction stories. Following in the footsteps of Interstellar, Gravity and First Contact, it blends space exploration and existential reflection, with immersive staging and thoughtful narration.
Fans of contemplative, meditative films, where the silence of space reflects the introspection of the character, should be captivated by James Gray's direction, which favors emotion and solitude over spectacular action scenes.
On the other hand, those looking for a fast-paced sci-fi film with frequent action sequences may find that Ad Astra adopts a slow, introspective pace, closer to an existentialdrama than a dynamic space opera.
With Brad Pitt in an intense role, meticulous direction and a realistic approach to space exploration, Ad Astra stands out as a profound and meditative work of science fiction. A cosmic adventure both intimate and universal
Our opinion of Ad Astra:
Ad Astra is a beautiful and complex feature film - reminiscent of 2001: A Space Odyssey - in its structure and narrative, featuring a masterful Brad Pitt in the role of an astronaut in search of his unwilling father. The cinematography, by Hoyte Van Hoytema, is equally breathtaking, with its barely futuristic vision of Earth, the coldness of the moon's landscape and Neptune's blue rings as intriguing as they are bewitching.
On the other hand, despite its ambitious storytelling, the film does suffer from a few run-ons... but all the better to appreciate the cinematography. We also particularly appreciate Brad Pitt's character, of rare depth, reminiscent of Terrence Malick' s The Tree of Life. In short, a true masterpiece to be savored without moderation.
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