Adam Sandler, known for his slapstick humor, has played numerous roles throughout his career that have brought laughter to audiences around the world. Adam Sandler’s movies have their own unique style that showcases his wit, often accompanied by friends and famous actors, that elevate his already sensational personality and charisma.
Sandler’s newest release, Spaceman, is a sci-fi adventure film released in February 2024. Based on the novel Spaceman of Bohemia, it is a first for Sandler and marks his entry into the wonderful yet strange world of science fiction.
Plot summary
Jakub Procházka, a Czech astronaut, is catapulted into outer space on a mission to investigate a mysterious dust cloud near Jupiter’s orbit. The film follows Jakub’s solo journey to this mysterious cloud and his current emotional struggle in his relationship. On his journey, Jakub discovers an alien creature named Hanuš.
Hanuš is a spider-like creature with extraterrestrial power. When the two connect Hanuš gains access to Jakub’s memories, learning more deeply what it means to be human, have human emotions, and face the experiences all of us face throughout our lifetime.
Throughout the film, Jakub’s wife, Lenka, is ready to leave him and move on from the relationship. Lenka even tries to communicate her feelings with Jakub while he’s in outer space, but her message is intercepted, and Jakub isn’t allowed to know her true feelings.
The film ends with an unclear reunion between Jakub and Hanuš, a closer exploration of the mysterious dust cloud near Jupiter, and a resolution and acceptance of the state of his relationship when he finally reunites with his wife, Lenka.
Acting and characters
When you think of Adam Sandler, you’re likely reminded of the humorous scenes and lighthearted, yet adult, project he’s been a part of. He’s been seen in more serious films, such as Click, but Spaceman truly feels like a turning of a new leaf for Sandler in his career.
The movie juggles heavy emotions and powerful life themes, such as grief, loss, isolation, and abandonment. His role as Jakub shines a new light on his range, his ability to express complex emotions on screen, and his willingness to trek into new territories, likely stepping outside of his comfort zone.
Carey Mulligan, who stars in Lenka, encapsulates raw emotion, bringing a depth to the film that is felt anytime she’s on screen. Her character’s decision to walk away from the relationship is a challenge many people have faced in their own lives, and her portrayal was expressed beautifully on screen.
Paul Dano, who stars as Hanuš, truly encapsulates the traits of an extraterrestrial being. His voice alone brings the spider-like creature’s personality to life, making the audience curious of his nature and interested in his own story’s progression.
Themes and messages
Isolation and connection are two major themes explored throughout the film. Sandler’s character’s isolated state highlights how one can feel alone, regardless of their relationships. It shows how isolation can eat away at the heart and the desperation it causes, triggering emotions, memories, and the instinctual need to avoid it.
Connection, or the lack thereof, also comes into play, as does how important true connection is. The movie shows connection as something that must be nursed, nurtured, and cared for. In Jakub’s relationship, he wasn’t always there for his wife and didn’t always try to force or strengthen the connection. He just wanted it to be there forever without having to invest the energy needed for it to flourish.
Jakub’s vision in the dust cloud at the end of the film highlights the importance of connection. He’s able to reconnect with a version of his love for Lenka, reigniting his passion and desire for the relationship.
Visual effects and soundtrack
Spaceman is visually stunning and perfectly encapsulates the feelings of being out in space, alone, left to your own thoughts and baggage. While Hanuš may be CGI, his character is very realistic and perfectly simulates what it would feel like to meet an alien face-to-face.
The beauty and depth of the movie are paired graciously alongside Max Richter’s ethereal soundtrack, which only adds a deepness to the emotional themes carried throughout the film.
Critical reception
It seems although Sandler makes a bold and mature move with 2024’s Spaceman, critical reception isn’t too sure if his efforts paid off. Critics claim the movie’s pace was slower than needed, and the heavy themes throughout the film weren’t fully explored and expanded upon in ways that they could have.
But, although certain aspects of the movie may have fallen short, Sandler’s acting and his ambition to dive into such a serious role make up for any losses and provide the audience with a fresh perspective on the actor. The general audience seems to enjoy the film, not taking it too seriously, and appreciating Sandler’s efforts to put together such a uniquely different project from his past work.
Comparison to other films
Critics have compared Spaceman to other popular films such as Gravity, starring Sandra Bullock. Gravity also explores themes of isolation that often come with movies that take place in outer space.
Interstellar is also another popular title mentioned in conversation about Spaceman, who deals with space travel, leaving family behind, and feelings of grief and loss. Even so, Spaceman stands on its own foundation, offering a new take on the alone-in-space troupe.
Conclusion
Spaceman is a bold departure from Sandler’s previous work, yet it seems fitting for his emotional capacity and range as an actor, which he showcases throughout the entire film.
For anyone who’s dealt with uncertainty in a relationship or feelings of isolation, Spaceman offers comfort in these feelings and hope in overcoming them through connection and love, the two most important parts of the human experience.
Spaceman leaves us reflecting on our own relationships and seeing where we’ve abandoned others or where we’ve let the abandonment of others linger on for too long.
