Kate Mara’s Stellar New Role in “The Astronaut” Promises Thrills and Aliens
Hold onto your space helmets, folks! Kate Mara is set to take us on a wild ride into the cosmos with her upcoming film “The Astronaut,” a sci-fi thriller that will premiere at the 2025 SXSW Film & TV Festival on March 7. Directed by Jess Varley, this film has all the makings of a gripping extraterrestrial escapade—think creepy aliens, claustrophobic settings, and an emotional journey that’s as intense as a black hole.
Mara plays Sam Walker, an astronaut who, after completing her first mission in the great beyond, finds herself in a high-security safe house under NASA’s watchful eye. But it’s not just the confines of the remote location that keep her on edge; she soon suspects that something otherworldly has followed her back to Earth. Sounds like the plot of every space horror movie ever, right? But here’s the kicker: Varley aims to ground the alien elements in a way that feels eerily familiar, drawing inspiration from bioluminescent sea creatures, which means these aliens will be as unsettling as they are beautiful.
In an exclusive chat with PEOPLE, Mara gushed about her experience working alongside the legendary Laurence Fishburne, who not only stars in the film but also serves as an executive producer. “He is the greatest storyteller ever,” gushed Mara, highlighting the bonding moments they shared between takes. Their mutual passion for acting shines through, with Mara likening it to a masterclass in creativity. Who wouldn’t want a front-row seat to that?
Varley also noted the film’s unique setting, filmed in a stunning modern safe house in Ireland, which adds an architectural twist to the tension. The house itself had never been used for filming before, lending an air of authenticity to the production. “It was a really nice place to go to work every day,” Mara shared, hinting that the visual aesthetics are as captivating as the storyline.
With a plot described as a “roller coaster” and a promise of unexpected twists, “The Astronaut” is shaping up to be a must-see for sci-fi enthusiasts. As Mara aptly puts it, the film promises to deliver thrills that will keep audiences at the edge of their seats—ready to encounter whatever cosmic mysteries lie ahead.
Sources: Celebrity Storm and People Magazine, Variety, The Hollywood Reporter
Image Credit: Title: Untitled, Author: No author info, License: [‘cc_attribute’, ‘cc_nonderived’, ‘cc_publicdomain’]
