Netflix’s Spaceman is intriguing and features a great premise that dives into effects of loneliness. This is Adam Sandler at his best.
Netflix’s Spaceman isn’t afraid to show what loneliness can do to a person. When Jakub (Adam Sandler) is sent to space alone for a year, he and his wife, Lenka (Carey Mulligan), struggle because of the distance. However, it quickly becomes clear how distant he was, even when on Earth with her. This movie explores how our minds work, and the negative effects that being on your own can have on you.
Early in the film, Jakub discovers a mysterious creature from the beginning of time named Hanuš (voiced by Paul Dano). This giant spider-like creature works with Jakub to make sense of what went wrong in his relationship before it is too late. While it often feels like a therapy session for viewers, that isn’t such a bad thing, as we all have issues that we can, and should, work through. It is this part of Jakub, and his relationship with Hanuš, that ends up being extremely relatable.
The premise of Spaceman is great. It dives into the effects of loneliness, and not just the type on loneliness you get when you are not around other human beings, the type that you can also get when you are with others, but alienating yourself. While the story is very intriguing, it isn’t always executed well.
The middle of the film gets very slow, and goes off the rails for a bit. Spaceman works best when Jakub and Hanuš are on screen together. The way that Jakub’s memories are portrayed doesn’t always work well, in fact, they are the weakest parts. This is not a dig at Carey Mulligan at all, as she is very talented, but it is these moments in the movie that feel forced at times.
As someone who hates spider, the look of Hanuš freaked me out at first. However, it didn’t take long to fall in love with this character, making his appearance less jarring. The visuals are great, especially in the third act when things get more intense. We don’t want to say anything for fear of spoilers, but it all comes together rather nicely in the end.
Considering that Adam Sandler worked mainly by himself during filming, it is impressive just how good he is in this role. Again, the movie is best when it is him and Hanuš on screen together. They really are friendship goals.
While certain parts of this movie can be difficult to navigate, the overall story is an important one. It explores the psyche and will hopefully inspire many to speak their truths, and to bring others into their circle rather than pushing them away. Spaceman also teaches not to judge a book by its cover, something that seems hard to do when coming face-to-face with a giant spider.
Unabashedly explores the effects of loneliness. Adam Sandler delivers one of his best performances ever.
Rating: 3 out of 5
NEXT: Madame Web: Suffers From Weak Villain, Bad Dialogue
About Spaceman
Six months into a solitary research mission to the edge of the solar system, an astronaut, Jakub (Adam Sandler), realizes that the marriage he left behind might not be waiting for him when he returns to Earth. Desperate to fix things with his wife, Lenka (Carey Mulligan), he is helped by a mysterious creature from the beginning of time he finds hiding in the bowels of his ship. Hanuš (voiced by Paul Dano) works with Jakub to make sense of what went wrong before it is too late.
Directed by Johan Renck and based on the novel Spaceman of Bohemia, the film also stars Kunal Nayyar, Lena Olin, and Isabella Rossellini.
