The Space Baboons Are a Warning
“Ad Astra” is about human hubris — and finding joy back here on earth
Numerous spoilers for “Ad Astra” ahead…
Halfway through James Gray’s pensive sci-fi / dad-feels film Ad Astra, a distress call leads Brad Pitt’s character, Major Roy McBride, and another astronaut to a small spaceship that they note has been approved for “animal research.” When they try to respond, no one answers. When they enter, no one can be seen or heard. They split up.
When Major McBride loses communication with his colleague, he makes his way back towards him. After passing by ominously shredded padded walls, he finds the man shaking strangely, the front half of his body obscured. A long second passes, and then the theater I was in let out an audible gasp as a rageful baboon peeks over the unfortunate astronaut’s shoulder, blood smeared on its face. In the fight scene that follows, Roy is able to get the upper hand, killing the baboons and escaping with the human body — though it turns out to be DOA.
