Review by Jon Donnis
Jess Varley's The Astronaut is a small but effective slice of sci-fi horror that works best when it leans into mystery and mood. It's a film that feels familiar at first, yet manages to pull the rug out just when you think you've got it figured out.
Kate Mara is the film's biggest strength. She gives Sam Walker real emotional weight, showing both the toughness of an astronaut and the vulnerability of someone coming apart at the seams. When Sam starts seeing things that shouldn't be there and her body begins to change, Mara never overplays it. She lets the fear sit quietly beneath the surface, which makes it far more unsettling.
The story moves at a tight pace. At just under ninety minutes, it never overstays its welcome. From the moment Sam wakes up in quarantine, we're locked in with her, watching things slowly slide from odd to terrifying. When the twist hits, it's a genuine surprise. I can usually spot a reveal long before it happens, but this one caught me off guard in the best way.
Laurence Fishburne adds a touch of authority as General Harris, though it's a pity he turns up so late. His presence steadies the film and gives it a sense of weight that the early scenes slightly lack. Gabriel Luna and Ivana Miličević also give good support, but this is very much Mara's film.
On the downside, the title is a bit misleading. For something called The Astronaut, we don't spend any time in space. Everything happens on Earth, mostly around the secluded house where Sam is being monitored. The limited setting helps with the tension, but it also makes the film feel smaller than it needs to be. The low budget shows at times too, with some effects and creature moments that don't quite land.
Still, there's a lot to like. Varley keeps the focus on atmosphere rather than spectacle, using silence, shadow and suggestion to build unease. It feels old-fashioned in a good way, more The X-Files than Alien.
The Astronaut isn't going to redefine the genre, but it's a confident, tightly made story with a clever twist and a standout lead performance.
A smart and surprisingly tense sci-fi horror that rises above its limitations. A solid 7 out of 10.
Out Now - https://apple.co/47EgvuA
