Cosmos
Three astronomers race to authenticate an impossible reply from the stars before their discovery of alien intelligence disappears into static.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- None
- contemplative
- tense
- eerie
- quiet night viewing
- science fiction marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly found the film compelling, praising its acting, effective cramped-space cinematography, and well-executed reveals despite imperfections in the script.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Mike Webster and his fellow astronomers analyze a logical signal whose rapid reply challenges their scientific assumptions.
The three-person astronomy team conducts its investigation from a car packed with stellar-studying equipment.
The team must document and authenticate its discovery before presenting humanity with evidence of extraterrestrial intelligence.
The signal initially resembles interference or a natural astronomical phenomenon, then produces a reply that defies expected communication timescales.
Films like Cosmos, and why
Contact
shared extraterrestrial-contact mystery, scientific investigation, and sense of cosmic wonder
Arrival
shared first-contact premise, contemplative science fiction, and emotionally charged signal decoding
Close Encounters of the Third Kind
shared awe-filled alien encounter, mysterious communication, and escalating uncertainty
Movie Details
- Directors
- Elliot Weaver, Zander Weaver
- Release Date
- 2019-11-08
- Runtime
- 128 min
- Rating
- 5.9 / 10 (122)
Cast
- Arjun Singh Panam
- Joshua Ford
- Tom England
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads
- 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 Cosmos about?
- Three astronomers race to authenticate an impossible reply from the stars before their discovery of alien intelligence disappears into static.
- What is Cosmos like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Cosmos as measured, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Cosmos violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Cosmos.
- What did critics think of Cosmos?
- Critics broadly found the film compelling, praising its acting, effective cramped-space cinematography, and well-executed reveals despite imperfections in the script.
- Which films are like Cosmos?
- Films with a similar feel include Contact, Arrival, and Close Encounters of the Third Kind.
- How long is Cosmos?
- Cosmos runs 128 minutes.
- Where can I watch Cosmos?
- In United States, Cosmos streams on Amazon Prime Video, Amazon Prime Video with Ads.
