Common Sense Media Review
By Jennifer Green
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Man faces existential questions in space; language, peril.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
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Spaceman
What's the Story?
Jakub (Adam Sandler) is the sole astronaut aboard a spaceship exploring the outer reaches of the solar system in SPACEMAN. He may well be the loneliest man in the world after six months alone in space. He finds a creature stowed away on his vessel and begins a relationship with him, naming him Hanus (voiced by Paul Dano). The creature is able to read Jakub's mind and feel his feelings, which allows Jakub to relive distant memories. He starts to realize how much he loves and misses his wife. But back home on earth, the very pregnant Lenka (Carey Mulligan) has decided to leave him, determined to break from their unfulfilling relationship and raise their child alone, which is how she feels anyway. The backers of his space journey (Isabella Rossellini and Kunal Nayyar) don't reveal Lenka's plans to Jakub, but with the help of the creature, he becomes aware of the root of the problem.
Is It Any Good?
Crossing genres as well as outer space, this metaphysical exploration of life, love, and loneliness is both weird and weirdly appealing. Sandler is toned down as Jakub in Spaceman, though it's unclear if he's attempting a vaguely European accent at moments (the book-based film has Czech roots). Equally mysterious is the character of Hanus, gently voiced by Paul Dano, who may or may not be real. Are they even in space? Lens distortions for flashbacks, off-kilter camera angles, and floating movements in zero gravity all contribute to a dream-like feeling.
The core of the film is the man's emotional journey. Thinking back on COVID times, viewers may be able to empathize with Jakub's loneliness. Sometimes Hanus's tender probing of the man's feelings and memories can come across as Psych 101 material, but viewers may still find themselves getting swept up into the voyage and potentially reflecting the Yoda-like creature's meditations back on their own life. Mulligan brings gravitas to a very slim role that could've been relegated to an even slimmer device or reflection of Sandler's narrative arc.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about some of the lessons Jakub learns from Hanus in Spaceman. What does Jakub learn about himself?
Do you think the spaceship and Hanus were real or imagined? Does this change the film for you one way or the other?
What did you think of the depiction of the spaceship and outer space? Did they look the same or different from what you've seen in other films or TV shows?
How does the film create a sense of its characters floating through time and space, including Lenka, who is on earth? Can you think of any specific examples?
Movie Details
- On DVD or streaming : March 1, 2024
- Cast : Adam Sandler , Carey Mulligan , Paul Dano
- Director : Johan Renck
- Inclusion Information : Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Netflix
- Genre : Drama
- Topics : STEM , Fantasy ( Magic ) , Book Characters
- Run time : 108 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : language
- Last updated : September 18, 2025
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