A harrowing return to Earth quickly turns into a nightmare in the intense new sci-fi thriller, The Astronaut, landing this October.
The film focuses on astronaut Sam Walker (Kate Mara), who is miraculously found alive after her capsule crash-lands off the Atlantic coast. However, her survival immediately makes her the subject of intense scrutiny. General William Harris (Laurence Fishburne) places Sam under strict, round-the-clock quarantine, demanding extensive rehabilitation and testing by NASA.
But Sam soon realizes that her isolation isn’t about recovery; it’s about control. As disturbing events unfold within the secure facility, her initial relief turns to primal fear. She becomes convinced that she didn’t return alone—that something terrifying has hitched a ride back to Earth with her.
This compelling film is both written and directed by Jess Varley, who also directed the chilling film Phobias in 2021.
The powerful cast is rounded out by Gabriel Luna, Ivana Milicevic, Macy Gray, and Scarlett Holmes, promising a high-stakes psychological battle between a soldier struggling to prove her sanity and a force determined to stay hidden.
The film marks the second astronaut film for Mara, having starred in The Martian alongside Matt Damon. The talented actress has also appeared in films such as 2015’s Fantastic Four and the 2007 action-thriller Shooter. She also stars in this year’s film, The Dutchman, which will screen at this year’s SXSW.
The sci-fi thriller The Astronaut lands in theaters nationwide on October 17, 2025. Don’t miss it.
