Get ready for a mind-bending sci-fi thriller as Kate Mara's Captain Sam Walker returns from space only to find her reality, and perhaps her very identity, completely unraveling. This debut from writer-director Jess Varley promises twists and turns you won't see coming.
TL;DR
- Kate Mara stars as Captain Sam Walker, an astronaut whose return from her first space mission is anything but normal, leading to strange symptoms and isolation.
- Directed by Jess Varley, the film blends sci-fi, horror, and psychological thriller elements, focusing on themes of isolation and identity.
- Catch "The Astronaut" in theaters on October 17, 2025, for a journey that promises to keep you guessing until its "absolutely bananas" conclusion.
Captain Sam Walker's Mysterious Return From the Cosmos
Imagine coming home from your first incredible journey to space, only to feel... not quite right. That's exactly what happens to Captain Sam Walker, played by the fantastic Kate Mara, in the upcoming sci-fi thriller, The Astronaut. Her space capsule splashes down with a cracked helmet and a gaping hole, and while she miraculously survives, it's clear something has changed.
Instead of a hero's welcome, Sam is immediately whisked away into quarantine. And not just any quarantine – she ends up in a super swanky, secluded modern mansion tucked away in the Virginia hills, courtesy of NASA and the military. It sounds cushy, but it quickly becomes a very isolating and creepy place. Her dad, General William Harris (played by the legendary Laurence Fishburne), and her estranged husband Mark (Gabriel Luna) with their daughter Izzy (Scarlett Holmes) visit, but Sam is mostly left alone with her thoughts and... well, other things.
Unexplained Symptoms and Unsettling Visions Begin to Emerge
As the days turn into nights in her isolated mansion, Sam’s symptoms get progressively worse. We're talking piercing headaches, ringing ears, disorienting flashbacks, and a strange bruise on her left arm that just keeps growing. She even develops a gray rash on her hand and starts seeing weird things, like eggs floating in the air. Oh, and did we mention she starts moving small objects with her mind? Yeah, things get weird.
Her ex-astronaut bestie, played by the one and only Macy Gray, gives her some truly questionable advice: keep quiet about the worst of it, or NASA might ground her for good. Sam, desperate to get back into space, tries to downplay everything. But as the lights flicker, strange croaking noises come from the woods, and the security system starts picking up unidentified activity, it becomes impossible to ignore the terrifying possibility: did something come back with her?
A Powerhouse Cast Delivers Intense, Unforgettable Performances
One thing everyone agrees on is Kate Mara’s commitment to the role. She really dives deep into Sam’s physical and emotional deterioration, making you care about what happens to her, even when Sam makes some questionable decisions (like venturing out alone with a failing flashlight – come on, Captain!). Her performance is a significant part of why the film holds its tension.
Joining Mara are some familiar faces:
- Kate Mara as Captain Sam Walker
- Laurence Fishburne as General William Harris, Sam's adoptive father
- Gabriel Luna as Mark, Sam's estranged husband
- Scarlett Holmes as Izzy, Sam's young daughter
- Ivana Milicevic as Dr. Michelle Aiden
- Macy Gray as Val, Sam's best friend
While some critics feel the supporting roles, particularly Fishburne's, are a bit underutilized, the actors do their best to give life to their characters within the narrative.
Jess Varley's Directorial Debut Explores Isolation and Identity
The Astronaut marks Jess Varley’s first solo feature as both writer and director, and she's gone all out to create a film that aims for atmosphere and jump scares. The inspiration for the movie actually came from a real-world article about the symptoms astronauts experience after long stints in space. Varley was fascinated by the idea of a character who "couldn't trust what they were seeing," making isolation a central theme.
Mara herself noted that preparing for this role was totally different from her time on The Martian, where she was actually in space. For The Astronaut, she had to research the reality of returning home, watching "endless astronaut interviews" to understand the physical and emotional adjustments. Varley even brought in consultants, including a NASA astronaut and someone with record-breaking hours on the International Space Station, to make the experience feel as real as possible.
"When I read the script, I was so surprised by a lot of where the story goes. It's kind of a few different genres in one. It's just not what you expect… It felt different than what I had done before."
– Kate Mara on her attraction to The Astronaut
The Wild Theories About Sam's True Nature (Spoilers Ahead!)
Okay, if you want to go into The Astronaut completely fresh, you might want to skip this section. But for those who love a good theory or want to know what critics are buzzing about, here's a taste of the film's big reveal:
Major Spoilers Start Here!
The central question everyone grapples with is whether Sam was infected by an alien presence, or if she was never human to begin with. The film's final act reveals that Sam herself was an alien, living in disguise since childhood! Turns out, General Harris saved a young alien capable of human form after a crash in the Mojave Desert years ago, raising it as Sam Walker. Her mission was actually a trap, designed to lure her biological alien family so they could be contained. Her deteriorating human "disguise" and emerging telekinetic powers are signs of her true form breaking through.
In a dramatic climax, Sam reunites with her alien family, bids farewell to Mark and Izzy, and leaves Earth in a waiting spacecraft. It's an "absolutely bananas" conclusion that many critics found jarring and, for some, undermined the preceding slow-burn build-up. However, if you're willing to suspend disbelief and enjoy the ride, it certainly delivers a shock!
Major Spoilers End Here!
Critical Reception: A Mixed Bag of Intrigue and Inanity
The Astronaut, which premiered at the SXSW Film Festival, has received a pretty mixed reception. On the plus side, Jess Varley’s debut is praised for its stylish direction, atmospheric cinematography by Dave Garbett, and evocative sound design that builds tension. Kate Mara's performance is consistently highlighted as a strength, carrying much of the film's dramatic weight.
However, many critics point out issues with the script's logic and pacing. Some found the reliance on jump scares predictable, and the narrative repetitive in its middle section. The big twist, while certainly surprising, left many feeling it was "underwhelming," "random and preposterous," or too reminiscent of other genre films, ultimately creating more questions than answers and making the ending feel rushed and unsatisfying for some viewers.
Despite its flaws, if you’re looking for a genre-blending ride with a wild twist and a strong lead performance, The Astronaut might just be worth checking out when it lands in theaters.
Frequently Asked Questions About The Astronaut
When does "The Astronaut" come out in theaters? You can catch The Astronaut in theaters starting October 17, 2025, distributed by Vertical. What is "The Astronaut" rated and how long is it? The film is rated PG-13. Its runtime is approximately 90-91 minutes, making it a relatively quick watch. Who directed "The Astronaut"? The Astronaut is the solo feature writing and directing debut of Jess Varley. Is "The Astronaut" a horror movie or sci-fi? It's a blend of both! The movie is described as a sci-fi/horror/paranoid thriller hybrid, so expect elements from all three genres.Sources
- MovieWeb - "The Astronaut Review: Kate Mara Leads a Confounding & Intruiguing Sci-Fi Thriller"
- MovieWeb - "Kate Mara, Jess Varley on the Twists of Sci-Fi Thriller The Astronaut"
- Movie Nation - "Movie Review: ‘The Astronaut’ Came Home with More than She Bargained For"
- PopCulture.com - "Kate Mara on 'The Astronaut' & 'The Martian' Differences"
- Roger Ebert.com - "The Astronaut"
- Screen Anarchy - "THE ASTRONAUT Review: Kate Mara In A Promising Yet Awkwardly Executed Genre Blend"
- Sportskeeda - "The Astronaut ending explained: Was Sam always an alien?"
- KSAT.com - "On the red carpet with the stars of 'The Astronaut'"