Adam Sandler is a sad man in space in Netflix’s new sci-fi aliencurrently available for viewing.
This is a classic science fiction trope that we’ve seen in works such as: ad astra, interstellar more. alien Daddy issues may not add, but it adds a splash solaris Astronaut Jakub, played by Sandler, also encounters strange phenomena. It’s a giant talking space spider.
on paper, alien is a promising blend, but the execution doesn’t quite live up to the concept. While emotionally connected to the exploration of what it means to be human, the sparseness of the plot makes it feel too heavy with too long a running time.
alien begins six months after Jakub embarks on a year-long solo research mission to the edge of the solar system. He plans to investigate a mysterious dust cloud known as Chopra, which may contain the secrets of the universe.
But he’s not doing that well. With the ship’s toilet out of order, Jakub not only has trouble sleeping at night, but he also struggles to contact his pregnant wife Lenka (Carey Mulligan) back on Earth. Unbeknownst to Jakub, Lenka had left a message saying she was breaking up with him.
And as if dangerous toilets and emotional turmoil weren’t enough, Jakub also discovers a talking spider on board the ship, which he claims has existed since time immemorial.
With nothing more to do to pass his days, Jakub forms a bond with a spider known as Hanush (voiced by Paul Dano). It’s a connection that could change Jakub’s life for the better – if he allows it.
Despite its shortcomings, alien Often an attractive watch. Director Johan Renck does a good job of conveying Jakub’s sense of isolation and loneliness, taking time to establish a routine before descending into strangeness. As a result, it is believable that Hanush is as real as it is that he is entirely the product of Yakub’s broken mind.
Sandler is certainly strong as Jakub, even more restrained than in other serious roles. Yakub is a challenging character, perhaps because he is emotionally numb before we meet him. Sandler ensures that we see the cracks in humanity begin to show, even if the journey is gradual.
Lenk focuses on the emotional side, so it hardly matters whether Hanush is real or not. Brilliantly voiced by Paul Dano, Hanush ends up becoming Jakub’s space therapist, forcing him to confront his self-absorption and insensitivity, as well as grappling with existential questions such as what it means to be happy. It turns out.
Even if Hanush is a hallucination, the bond between Yakub and Kumo feels completely real, alien Connect on an emotional level. While Chopra may be little more than a MacGuffin and the plot ultimately goes nowhere, Lenk crafts a beautifully realized and moving journey that is thoroughly satisfying.
alienThe big problem with “” is that even though you care about Jakub and Hanus, you end up feeling nothing at all about the love story between Jakub and Lenka.
Carey Mulligan does her best in a thin role, but frequent flashbacks of their relationship don’t explain why she stayed with Jake for so long. This resolution, modified from the original, feels rushed and lame, especially compared to the end of Yakub and Hanush’s story.
Aside from Hanush, the film doesn’t even venture into trippy sci-fi territory until the final act. It’s primarily a movie where a guy talks to a spider about how shitty he is as a human being. For some, this is exactly what Sandler wanted from grieving in space; for others, alien It would prove to be too peaceful.
However, for those who want to enjoy the luxury of Yakub’s solitude, alien This is an interesting entry into the “sad man in space” subgenre, even if it’s far from perfect.
alien is available to watch now on Netflix.
Film editor, digital spy Ian has over 10 years of experience in film journalism as a writer and editor. Starting out as an intern at industry bible Screen International, he rose to become responsible for reporting and analyzing UK box office results, carved out a niche for himself in horror films and attended genre festivals around the world. . After moving to Digital Spy, he initially worked as a TV writer and was nominated for New Digital Talent of the Year at the PPA Digital Awards. He became film editor in 2019, interviewing hundreds of stars including Chris Hemsworth, Florence Pugh, Keanu Reeves, Idris Elba, and Olivia Colman in that role, becoming Marvel’s human encyclopedia, and working with the BBC Appeared as an expert guest on news and programs. -MCM Comic Con stage. Whether his editors like it or not, he continues to push the horror theme as far as he can.
