When it comes to the science fiction genre, most movies and television series that fall under the “sci-fi” umbrella fall more into the “fiction” category. They’re the projects that imagine strange and fantastic new worlds and situations that challenge viewer perception and understanding and often push the boundaries of the “science” that exists in our real world. But there are also projects that focus more on the science of things, and sometimes, they get the science right and the result is a film that is not only one of the most accurate sci-fi films ever made, but a modern masterpiece — and now it’s streaming on Netflix.
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If you haven’t figured it out yet, the movie in question is Ridley Scott’s The Martian. Released in 2015, The Martian was the Alien director’s return to the genre this time with a heavy focus on realism and accuracy. The film stars Matt Damon as Mark Watney, a botanist who is the only person left on Mars after being stranded there during a NASA mission. What ensues is a story about surviving in the hostile Martian environment until a rescue attempt can be launched. The film is based on Andy Weir’s novel of the same name.
The Martian Has Been Hailed as One of The Best Sci-Films Ever (And One of The Most Accurate)
What makes The Martian so interesting is how accurate to the science of space exploration and what we know about Mars the film is. Specific details, such as the process Watney uses to produce water is one that NASA is using for a Martian rover. Additionally, Watney’s improvised garden to grow potatoes was accurate to what researchers knew about Mars at the time, though more about Martian soil has since been learned. What the film does best in the bigger picture, is that the overall near-future story fits within the boundaries of known science and engineering. It’s that approach that only enhances the human story of the film making the film a truly unique and elevated experience.
It’s also a film that is perfect for fans of another sci-fi film praised for its scientific accuracy: Interstellar. That film, released in 2014, followed a group of astronauts who travel through a wormhole near Saturn searching for a new home for mankind as Earth dies due to a catastrophic blight and subsequent famine. While the two films have very different premises, they do share similar themes of survival and both feature deeply human stories enhanced by solid science. And there’s another reason to pair the two films: Damon also appears in Interstellar, playing a NASA astronaut sent to an icy planet.
If You Like The Martian, Another Andy Weir Adaptation Is Coming Soon
Of course, if you need another reason to watch The Martian, we have one for you. Weir’s other critically acclaimed sci-fi novels, Project Hail Mary, is also getting a live-action film adaptation. That film, which stars Ryan Gosling, is set to hit theaters next March with the screenplay written by Drew Goddard, who also wrote the screenplay for The Martian.
The Martian is now streaming on Netflix.
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