Kate Mara Stars in Sci-Fi Thriller The Astronaut Premiering 2025

The upcoming sci-fi thriller The Astronaut, directed by Jessica Varley and starring Kate Mara, Laurence Fishburne, and Gabriel Luna, centers on astronaut Sam Walker who returns mysteriously alive from a perilous space mission but is quarantined under strict NASA surveillance. Set in a remote, high-security facility, the film explores themes of isolation, paranoia, and mistrust as Sam experiences strange phenomena and suspects something extraterrestrial has followed her back to Earth. The movie delves into psychological tension and existential dread, evoking classic sci-fi paranoia while adding a modern twist. The Astronaut, which premiered at the 2025 SXSW Film Festival, is available on digital platforms in the UK and is slated for a U.S. release, with its eerie teaser highlighting a chilling atmosphere of surveillance and slow-building terror. Despite its familiar premise, the film promises a thoughtful exploration of identity and fear in the face of the unknown, with an emphasis on emotional depth and haunting visuals. Overall, The Astronaut is positioned as a cerebral and unnerving addition to the sci-fi genre, focusing on the unsettling consequences of space travel and what it brings back to humanity.