Solaris
A grieving psychologist confronts uncanny embodiments of his lost love aboard an isolated space station orbiting a mysterious planet.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Slow
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- None
- dreamy
- melancholic
- cerebral
- late night reflection
- quiet evening
What critics said
Critics generally found the film cerebral, atmospheric, and emotionally ambitious, while noting its slow pace and deliberate ambiguity may limit its appeal.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The planet Solaris manifests mysterious visitors whose nature and purpose remain beyond human comprehension.
Chris encounters an apparently human visitor resembling his deceased wife Rheya, turning mourning into an immediate relationship.
The space station and planetary mystery serve as settings for Chris's emotional and intellectual confrontation rather than adventure sequences.
Chris investigates strange phenomena aboard a lonely station orbiting Solaris, cut off from ordinary human society.
Films like Solaris, and why
2001: A Space Odyssey
shares cerebral science fiction, philosophical mystery, space isolation, and an enigmatic nonhuman intelligence
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
shares grief-driven psychological drama, ambiguous reality, and emotionally charged speculative ideas
Moon
shares atmospheric arthouse science fiction, intimate human relationships, and contemplative questions about consciousness
Ad Astra
shares meditative space travel, existential mystery, and a somber romantic atmosphere
Movie Details
- Director
- Steven Soderbergh
- Release Date
- 2002-11-27
- Runtime
- 99 min
- Rating
- 6.0 / 10 (1525)
Cast
- George Clooney
- Natascha McElhone
- Viola Davis
- Jeremy Davies
- Ulrich Tukur
- Michael Ensign
- John Cho
- Morgan Rusler
- Shane Skelton
- Donna Kimball
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Solaris about?
- A grieving psychologist confronts uncanny embodiments of his lost love aboard an isolated space station orbiting a mysterious planet.
- What is Solaris like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Solaris as slow, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Solaris violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Solaris.
- What did critics think of Solaris?
- Critics generally found the film cerebral, atmospheric, and emotionally ambitious, while noting its slow pace and deliberate ambiguity may limit its appeal.
- Which films are like Solaris?
- Films with a similar feel include 2001: A Space Odyssey, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Moon, and Ad Astra.
- How long is Solaris?
- Solaris runs 99 minutes.
- Where can I watch Solaris?
- In United States, Solaris is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home.
