Ad Astra
An emotionally guarded astronaut crosses the solar system to find his vanished father and confront the personal cost of humanity’s cosmic ambitions.
Overview
A journey to the outer edges of the solar system reveals profound truths about humanity's existence.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Moderate
- melancholic
- introspective
- austere
- quiet night
- thoughtful sci fi marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly praised Ad Astra as a visually thrilling and technically accomplished space drama whose introspective parent-child story is anchored by Brad Pitt’s performance.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Roy’s journey through the solar system externalizes his withdrawal, grief, and struggle to understand his place in human existence.
The moon colony, Mars facilities, spacewalks, and orbital travel are rendered as functional extensions of near-future human infrastructure.
Roy travels to find his missing father while uncovering secrets that reshape his understanding of their relationship.
The astronaut’s movement across the moon, Mars, and the outer solar system contrasts with his difficulty forming intimate human connections.
Films like Ad Astra, and why
Solaris
visually ambitious space drama centered on solitude, psychological introspection, and an emotionally distant parent-child relationship
First Man
realistic near-future space travel, restrained pacing, and intimate grief beneath grand cosmic imagery
2001: A Space Odyssey
philosophical science fiction voyage using outer space to explore human identity, isolation, and existential purpose
Interstellar
melancholic space epic combining survival peril with an emotionally withdrawn protagonist and family trauma
Movie Details
- Director
- James Gray
- Release Date
- 2019-09-17
- Runtime
- 123 min
- Rating
- 6.1 / 10 (7452)
Cast
- Brad Pitt
- Tommy Lee Jones
- Liv Tyler
- Ruth Negga
- Donald Sutherland
- Kimberly Elise
- Loren Dean
- Donnie Keshawarz
- Sean Blakemore
- Bobby Nish
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- fuboTV, YouTube TV, FXNow
- 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 Ad Astra about?
- An emotionally guarded astronaut crosses the solar system to find his vanished father and confront the personal cost of humanity’s cosmic ambitions.
- What is Ad Astra like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Ad Astra as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Ad Astra violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Ad Astra as moderate.
- What did critics think of Ad Astra?
- Critics broadly praised Ad Astra as a visually thrilling and technically accomplished space drama whose introspective parent-child story is anchored by Brad Pitt’s performance.
- Which films are like Ad Astra?
- Films with a similar feel include Solaris, First Man, 2001: A Space Odyssey, and Interstellar.
- How long is Ad Astra?
- Ad Astra runs 123 minutes.
- Where can I watch Ad Astra?
- In United States, Ad Astra streams on fuboTV, YouTube TV, FXNow.
