Occasionally, a film arrives that resists easy categorization, making it difficult to form an opinion about it. That's certainly the case with Johan Renck’s second feature, a filmmaker previously recognized for commercials and music videos—a background that occasionally shows in this production. Reactions to this movie vary widely, which makes “Spaceman” one of the most puzzling releases in recent memory. This science-fiction story follows an astronaut (Adam Sandler) on a solitary, extended mission deep into space to examine a strange occurrence. He’s struggling with intense loneliness that interferes with his work, largely due to marital problems with his pregnant wife (Carey Mulligan) back on Earth. While trying to deal with these issues, he unexpectedly encounters an alien resembling a large spider (voiced by Paul Dano), who possesses deep philosophical knowledge. But how will everything resolve itself, and what impact will it have on the mission? The story has an interesting foundation, but it’s unclear what the filmmaker is trying to achieve. There's a mix of tones here; some feel genuine, while others seem playful and somewhat corny, as if the director is giving the audience a knowing look. It's often hard to discern where the narrative is headed. And if balancing different approaches was the goal, it doesn’t entirely succeed. So, what does that mean? Ultimately, it seems like viewers must decide for themselves, though that feels like an evasive response. There are valid arguments both for and against this movie based on its qualities alone. For example, the film's numerous metaphysical and philosophical ideas are presented clearly and are accessible, even if they occasionally feel overly sweet. It also represents a potentially positive step for Sandler’s efforts to redefine himself as an actor seeking more substantial roles than the silly ones he is typically known for. The movie’s many carefully placed references to other science-fiction/fantasy works enrich the story, with nods to “Interstellar” (2014), “Solaris” (2002), “Everything Everywhere All at Once” (2022), and even David Bowie's "Space Oddity." However, slow pacing, occasionally flawed sound quality, and less-than-impressive visual effects—particularly the alien’s noticeably cheap appearance—detract from it, further contributing to the overall ambiguity mentioned earlier. It’s really up to you whether or not to see this one – and don't be surprised if your interpretation differs from what’s written here.

Source on TMDB