Ad Astra (Latin for “To the Stars”) is a contemplative science fiction film directed by James Gray, starring Brad Pitt in a deeply internalized performance. Set in a near-future where humanity has colonized parts of the solar system, the film combines cosmic spectacle with emotional introspection. It’s a psychological odyssey as much as it is a space adventure.
Detailed Summary
The Surge and the Call to Action
The story begins with a catastrophic electrical surge hitting Earth, killing thousands. The source of this anomaly is traced back to the Lima Project, a deep-space mission launched decades earlier to search for intelligent life. It was led by Clifford McBride (Tommy Lee Jones), the long-lost, presumed-dead father of the protagonist, Major Roy McBride (Brad Pitt).
Roy is a calm, almost emotionless astronaut praised for his unwavering pulse and psychological stability. The government secretly informs him that his father might still be alive and behind the surges that threaten humanity. Roy is tasked with traveling to Mars to send a message to his father near Neptune, in hopes of making contact.
Journey Through the Solar System
Roy’s journey begins with a stop on the Moon, which has been commercialized and riddled with territorial disputes. He’s ambushed by space pirates in a harrowing chase scene, showcasing the dangers of space travel even close to home.
From there, he travels to Mars, a red, sterile underground colony, where he records messages to send into space. The government receives a strange response—they believe Clifford is alive and has gone rogue. Roy is soon deemed too emotionally compromised and is removed from the mission.
However, with help from a Mars scientist (Ruth Negga’s character, Helen Lantos), who has her own painful history with Clifford, Roy boards a rocket to Neptune, as a stowaway.
Neptune: The Truth About Clifford
After a long and lonely journey filled with dreamlike visuals and psychological unraveling, Roy reaches the Lima Project’s station orbiting Neptune. He discovers that his father has indeed gone mad—he murdered the crew years ago for attempting to return to Earth. Clifford believes intelligent life exists somewhere out there and has refused to abandon his mission, despite decades of silence from the universe.
Roy tries to convince his father to return, but Clifford ultimately chooses death, detaching himself from Roy and drifting into space. Roy then sets a nuclear charge to destroy the Lima station, stopping the surges permanently.
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Movie Ending
Roy uses the force of the explosion from the destroyed Lima Project station to propel himself back to his ship, in a moment of both scientific ingenuity and emotional rebirth. He journeys back to Earth, having not only saved humanity but confronted the haunting legacy of his absent father.
The film ends with Roy finally reconnecting with the world. He speaks of embracing uncertainty, appreciating the people around him, and being present in life. We see him return to Earth, now fully committed to rebuilding his emotional connections, including what seems to be an attempt to repair a relationship with his estranged partner (played by Liv Tyler, mostly in flashbacks).
This ending closes the loop on Roy’s personal odyssey: from a detached, emotionally numb soldier to a man embracing vulnerability, loneliness, and connection. It’s not a conventional happy ending—but it’s a deeply human one.
Are There Post-Credits Scenes?
No, Ad Astra does not feature any post-credits scenes. Once the credits roll, the story is concluded. There are no teases for sequels or hidden scenes.
Type of Movie
Ad Astra is a science fiction drama with heavy emphasis on psychological themes, existential questions, and father-son dynamics. While there are space battles and lunar chases, this is a slow-burn introspective film, closer to 2001: A Space Odyssey than Interstellar in tone.
Cast
- Brad Pitt as Roy McBride
- Tommy Lee Jones as Clifford McBride
- Ruth Negga as Helen Lantos
- Donald Sutherland as Colonel Pruitt
- Liv Tyler as Eve McBride
- John Ortiz as General Rivas
- Greg Bryk as Chip Garnes
Film Music and Composer
The film’s haunting and minimalist score was composed by Max Richter, known for his emotive and atmospheric music. It’s complemented by additional scoring from Lorne Balfe and Nils Frahm, creating a meditative soundscape that reinforces the film’s psychological tone.
Filming Locations
Although the film is set across the solar system, it was primarily shot in:
- Los Angeles, California – soundstages were used to create the Mars and Moon environments.
- Death Valley, California – scenes representing the surface of Mars.
- Iceland – used for exteriors depicting deep-space visuals and the Neptune approach.
These locations were chosen for their harsh, alien landscapes and minimal lighting, adding to the film’s lonely and surreal atmosphere.
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Awards and Nominations
Ad Astra received critical acclaim for its cinematography, visual effects, and Brad Pitt’s performance. Awards and nominations include:
- Academy Award Nomination for Best Sound Mixing
- Critics’ Choice Nomination for Best Sci-Fi/Horror Movie
- Saturn Award Nomination for Best Science Fiction Film
- Multiple festival awards for technical achievements and direction
Behind the Scenes Insights
- Brad Pitt not only starred in the film but also co-produced it through his company, Plan B Entertainment.
- Director James Gray said he wanted to make “the most realistic depiction of space travel” ever put on film.
- The film’s depiction of near-future tech was developed in consultation with NASA advisors.
- Brad Pitt performed many of his own stunts, including the Moon rover chase sequence.
- The baboon attack scene was a late addition, designed to punctuate the film’s slower pace with a sharp dose of terror.
Inspirations and References
- The film is inspired by Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness, mirroring the journey to confront a mysterious figure gone rogue.
- There are clear thematic and stylistic nods to 2001: A Space Odyssey and Apocalypse Now.
- Gray cited Andrei Tarkovsky’s Solaris and Terrence Malick’s visual style as major influences.
Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes
While the theatrical ending remains the definitive one, early cuts reportedly contained more voiceover narration and extended flashbacks to Roy’s childhood. A longer Mars sequence was also filmed but trimmed for pacing. These scenes added more psychological depth but were removed to streamline Roy’s emotional arc.
Book Adaptations and Differences
Ad Astra is an original screenplay and not based on a book. However, it heavily borrows from literary and philosophical influences, including existentialist thought, Nietzschean themes, and classic space exploration literature.
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Memorable Scenes and Quotes
Key Scenes
- The opening fall from the space antenna.
- The Moon rover pirate ambush.
- The baboon attack aboard the research ship.
- The emotional confrontation between Roy and his father near Neptune.
- Roy’s final monologue on Earth.
Iconic Quotes
- “I do what I do because of my dad.”
- “He could only see what was not there and missed what was right in front of him.”
- “I’m not my father.”
Easter Eggs and Hidden Details
- The Moon base features corporate branding, such as Subway and DHL, a commentary on the commercialization of space.
- The “Space Command” echoes 1950s sci-fi aesthetics, subtly critiquing military-industrial expansion into space.
- Roy’s heart rate and psychological evaluations are repeatedly monitored, highlighting society’s obsession with emotional control.
Trivia
- Brad Pitt shot this film before Once Upon a Time in Hollywood but both were released the same year (2019).
- Director James Gray was inspired by the loneliness of space and isolation of masculinity in the modern world.
- The film had a relatively small budget (~$80 million) compared to other space epics like Interstellar.
Why Watch?
If you enjoy slow-burn, cerebral science fiction with emotional weight and meditative pacing, Ad Astra is for you. It’s more about the internal journey than action-packed spectacle, offering a rare blend of philosophy and visual poetry in modern cinema. It’s also one of Brad Pitt’s most nuanced performances.
Director’s Other Movies
- The Lost City of Z (2016)
- The Immigrant (2013)
- Two Lovers (2008)
- We Own the Night (2007)
- Little Odessa (1994)