Solaris (2002)

Last updated:
July 25, 2025

Steven Soderbergh’s Solaris (2002) is a cerebral and haunting science fiction film that blends psychological mystery, romance, and metaphysical themes. Based on the 1961 novel by Stanisław Lem, the movie explores grief, memory, and the human inability to comprehend truly alien life. Far from your typical space adventure, this is a quiet, meditative experience that rewards introspection and patience.

Table of Contents

Detailed Summary

The Invitation to Solaris

The story begins with Dr. Chris Kelvin (played by George Clooney), a grief-stricken psychologist living a solitary life on Earth. He’s summoned by an old friend from the space station orbiting Solaris, a mysterious planet that defies scientific explanation. The crew has stopped communicating, and something strange is happening on board.

Kelvin is asked to assess the situation and determine if the mission should continue—or if the crew should return home.

Arrival at the Space Station

Upon arrival, Kelvin finds the station in disarray. Two crew members remain: Dr. Gordon (Viola Davis), who is paranoid and secretive, and Dr. Snow (Jeremy Davies), whose erratic behavior raises questions. Kelvin soon discovers that his friend Gibarian, who summoned him, has committed suicide. The station is eerily quiet, and it’s clear that the planet below is influencing the crew in unsettling ways.

The Return of Rheya

The central mystery escalates when Rheya, Kelvin’s deceased wife (played by Natascha McElhone), suddenly appears. She is physically real but has no memory of her death or how she came to be there. Horrified and confused, Kelvin initially ejects her into space—only for Solaris to recreate her again.

This version of Rheya is not a ghost or hallucination but a physical manifestation of Kelvin’s memories, shaped by the planet. She becomes self-aware and questions her own existence, which adds an additional layer of emotional depth and philosophical inquiry.

Psychological Unraveling

As Solaris continues to produce these “visitors” from the crew’s subconscious, each character confronts deep emotional trauma. For Kelvin, it’s his guilt over Rheya’s suicide years before. Rheya slowly begins to remember her death, and this knowledge torments her. She ultimately asks to be destroyed, fearing she is not truly herself and is only an echo of someone else’s mind.

Dr. Gordon believes these beings are dangerous and wants to destroy the station. Meanwhile, Solaris’ behavior becomes more volatile. The crew debates whether to return to Earth or allow themselves to be absorbed by the phenomenon.

Movie Ending

In the final act, Kelvin makes a profound decision. He chooses not to leave Solaris.

After Rheya requests to be permanently erased—something Gordon reluctantly agrees to—Kelvin is left in mourning again. Solaris, now responding to Kelvin’s emotional state, expands and begins engulfing the station. While Gordon escapes in a shuttle, Kelvin stays behind, seemingly surrendering to the unknown force.

In the closing sequence, we see Kelvin on Earth, chopping vegetables, seemingly back to his normal life. But something is off. When he accidentally cuts himself, the wound heals instantly. This is not Earth—it’s Solaris.

He turns to see Rheya once again.

“Am I alive or dead?” he asks.

“We don’t have to think like that anymore,” Rheya replies.

The final scene suggests that Kelvin has been absorbed into Solaris, which has granted him a kind of eternal reunion with the memory—or creation—of Rheya. The boundaries between reality, consciousness, and illusion are obliterated.

Are There Post-Credits Scenes?

No, Solaris (2002) does not contain any post-credits scenes. The movie ends on its final ambiguous and poetic note, consistent with its meditative tone. There’s no additional content after the credits roll.

Type of Movie

Solaris is a philosophical science fiction drama. It blends psychological thriller, romantic tragedy, and existential sci-fi elements. If you’re looking for explosions and space battles, this is not your film. But if you’re into metaphysical quandaries and emotional depth, you’re in the right orbit.

Cast

George Clooney as Dr. Chris Kelvin
Natascha McElhone as Rheya
Viola Davis as Dr. Gordon
Jeremy Davies as Dr. Snow
Ulrich Tukur as Gibarian
John Cho in a brief role as DBA Emissary

Film Music and Composer

The haunting and minimalist score was composed by Cliff Martinez, a frequent Soderbergh collaborator. The soundtrack is atmospheric, using ambient sounds and slow strings to enhance the film’s dreamlike tone. It perfectly matches the psychological unease and emotional intimacy of the story.

Filming Locations

20th Century Fox Studios – Los Angeles (main production)
Stagecraft soundstages – The entire film was mostly shot indoors, on sets designed to depict the space station and Earth.

The space station’s cold, sterile design is contrasted with the warmer, more organic feel of Solaris’ manifestations. The sets intentionally evoke a feeling of claustrophobia and emotional detachment, reinforcing the film’s themes.

Awards and Nominations

Nominated for the Golden Berlin Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival
Cliff Martinez’s score was highly praised and has developed a cult following
The film was polarizing critically but respected for its ambition

Behind the Scenes Insights

George Clooney insisted on emotional realism over sci-fi spectacle, pushing for a more restrained performance.
Clooney’s full-frontal nudity became a talking point, though Soderbergh dismissed it as irrelevant to the movie’s core.
Stanisław Lem, the author of the original novel, was not a fan of the adaptation. He felt both Soderbergh’s and Tarkovsky’s versions misunderstood his work.
Soderbergh handled directing, editing, and cinematography himself—an unusually hands-on approach for a studio sci-fi film.
Production was completed on a relatively modest $47 million budget, considered low for the genre.

Inspirations and References

Based on the 1961 novel Solaris by Stanisław Lem
The film is a re-adaptation of the novel, not a remake of Andrei Tarkovsky’s 1972 film, though it naturally invites comparisons
Influences: Existentialist philosophy, Freudian psychology, and Eastern metaphysical concepts

Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes

Several scenes that further explored Kelvin’s past were cut to maintain the film’s pacing.
An alternate ending was reportedly discussed, involving Kelvin choosing to return to Earth—but Soderbergh ultimately felt that a more ambiguous, transcendent ending was more fitting.

Book Adaptations and Differences

The novel by Lem focused more on the alien nature of Solaris and the limitations of human understanding, rather than the romantic or emotional storyline.
Soderbergh’s version zeroes in on Kelvin’s personal grief and relationship with Rheya, making it more of an intimate character study.
Lem criticized the film for turning his metaphysical story into what he called “a love story in space.”

Memorable Scenes and Quotes

Key Scenes

The first appearance of Rheya on the station—Kelvin’s shock and denial
Rheya realizing her own origin and asking to die
The final confrontation between Kelvin and Gordon about whether to destroy Solaris’ creations
The dreamlike final scene where Kelvin accepts Solaris’ version of Rheya

Iconic Quotes

Kelvin: “Is it her? Does it even matter?”
Rheya: “I’m not the person I remember being. I’m something new.”
Kelvin: “We don’t want other worlds. We want mirrors.”

Easter Eggs and Hidden Details

The recurring motif of water—used to represent the surface of Solaris and the fluid nature of consciousness.
Solaris subtly mimics Earth environments as a way to “comfort” or seduce the characters.
The station’s artificial intelligence is never directly addressed, emphasizing human introspection over technology.

Trivia

James Cameron co-produced the film. He initially wanted to direct it himself.
Steven Soderbergh shot the film using digital techniques that were quite advanced for 2002.
Stanisław Lem was never consulted during production, despite being alive at the time.
The film was released just weeks after Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Die Another Day, and Treasure Planet—all major box office contenders, which hurt its financial success.

Why Watch?

Watch Solaris if you’re in the mood for a philosophical exploration of grief, love, and identity rather than fast-paced sci-fi. It’s a film that lingers in your mind, asks difficult questions, and offers no easy answers. If you’re a fan of slow-burn cerebral sci-fi like Arrival or 2001: A Space Odyssey, this one’s for you.

Director’s Other Movies

Traffic (2000)
Ocean’s Eleven (2001)
Contagion (2011)
The Informant! (2009)
Logan Lucky (2017)

Solaris (2002)