Don’t Look Up (2021)

Last updated:
April 1, 2025

Detailed Summary

The Discovery: “We’re All Gonna Die!”

Dr. Randall Mindy (Leonardo DiCaprio), an astronomy professor, and his PhD student, Kate Dibiasky (Jennifer Lawrence), make a terrifying discovery: a comet the size of Mount Everest is on a direct collision course with Earth. Estimated impact? Six months. Devastation? Total. The duo rushes to inform NASA, and soon they find themselves in the White House.

White House Reaction: “Meh, Midterms Are More Important!”

President Orlean (Meryl Streep), a self-serving politician, and her Chief of Staff/son Jason (Jonah Hill), dismiss the crisis as unimportant. They care more about poll numbers and upcoming midterms than a planet-killing comet. When the duo leaks the news to the media, it barely makes a dent in public consciousness. A morning show treats it as an amusing segment rather than an existential threat.

Capitalism Strikes: “What If We Monetize the Comet?”

Billionaire tech mogul Peter Isherwell (Mark Rylance) sees an opportunity rather than a disaster. Instead of destroying the comet, why not mine it for rare minerals? The government, in typical fashion, decides to prioritize corporate interests over human survival.

The “Don’t Look Up” Movement: “Ignorance Is Bliss”

A divide emerges: scientists scream about impending doom while politicians and influencers spread misinformation, urging people to “don’t look up.” Social media explodes with conspiracy theories. Sound familiar? Yep, the movie is a brutal satire of modern-day political and media absurdities.

The Last Supper: “We Really Messed This Up, Didn’t We?”

As the comet finally becomes visible to the naked eye, reality sets in. It’s too late. Scientists, their loved ones, and a few close friends gather for one last peaceful dinner before impact. The world burns, and humanity faces its reckoning.

Movie Ending: “Well, We Had a Good Run”

The comet makes impact, wiping out life on Earth. Meanwhile, President Orlean and a select few escape in a spaceship, heading for a new planet. Their arrogance remains unchecked—until an alien creature devours Orlean upon arrival. Poetic justice, anyone?

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

Yes! There are two:

The President’s Fate: After landing on an alien planet, Orlean is quickly eaten by a bizarre alien creature (a “Bronteroc”).
Jason’s Return: Jason Orlean (Jonah Hill) miraculously survives and emerges from the rubble, posting on social media: “Yo, is anyone still alive?”

Type of Movie

Don’t Look Up is a satirical science fiction comedy-drama that takes a sharp, hilarious, and terrifying jab at politics, media, and public indifference toward existential threats.

Cast

Leonardo DiCaprio – Dr. Randall Mindy
Jennifer Lawrence – Kate Dibiasky
Meryl Streep – President Janie Orlean
Jonah Hill – Jason Orlean
Cate Blanchett – Brie Evantee
Mark Rylance – Peter Isherwell
Tyler Perry – Jack Bremmer
Timothée Chalamet – Yule
Ariana Grande – Riley Bina
Kid Cudi – DJ Chello

Film Music and Composer

The film’s score was composed by Nicholas Britell. The soundtrack includes Just Look Up, a song performed by Ariana Grande and Kid Cudi, which mocks celebrity culture while ironically becoming a chart hit in real life.

Filming Locations

Massachusetts, USA – Most of the film was shot in and around Boston, Worcester, and other Massachusetts locations.
Why Massachusetts? – The locations provided a mix of urban and rural settings perfect for the satirical tone of the film.

Awards and Nominations

Nominated for 4 Academy Awards, including Best Picture.
Won Best Original Screenplay at the Writers Guild of America Awards.
Nominated for multiple BAFTA and Golden Globe awards.

Behind the Scenes Insights

Leonardo DiCaprio helped rewrite his character’s final speech to make it more emotional.
Jennifer Lawrence suffered an on-set injury when a stunt went wrong.
The scene where Jonah Hill throws insults at Jennifer Lawrence was mostly improvised.

Inspirations and References

Inspired by real-world climate change denial and media manipulation.
Heavily influenced by Dr. Strangelove.
Peter Isherwell is a mix of real-life tech billionaires like Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg.

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

An alternate ending had humanity surviving in underground bunkers but ultimately failing due to internal conflicts.
Several comedic improvisations were cut for pacing.

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

Kate’s meltdown on TV: “We’re all going to die!”
The “Don’t Look Up” rally where people refuse to see the comet.
The final dinner scene, where the characters quietly accept their fate.

Iconic Quotes

“You’re just gonna have to sit tight and assess!” – President Orlean
“The truth is, we really did have everything, didn’t we?” – Dr. Mindy
“I wanna die with dignity.” – Kate

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

The comet represents climate change (or any ignored crisis).
The phrase “Sit tight and assess” mocks political inaction.
Timothée Chalamet’s character Yule prays in a heartfelt scene—unexpected from his usual roles.

Trivia

Jennifer Lawrence requested a nose ring for her character to feel more authentic.
Jonah Hill based his role on the “nepo baby” trope.
The title Don’t Look Up is a metaphor for willful ignorance.