The Space Between Us Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A Martian teen with a heart condition steals a plane and a girl to find his dad, who is basically Elon Musk in space.

🍿 The Space Between Us: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Mission to Mars and an Unexpected Discovery

In the near future, Genesis launches its first mission to colonize Mars. Astronaut Sarah Elliot discovers she’s pregnant during the journey. She dies shortly after landing due to complications from childbirth, giving birth to Gardner, the first human born on Mars. The father’s identity remains a mystery.

Gardner’s Childhood on Mars

Sixteen years later, Gardner Elliot grows up on Mars. He’s an intelligent and curious teenager but has only met 14 people. He longs to learn more about his mother and the planet she came from, Earth. He discovers a video of his mother with a man in a beach house and believes this man is his father.

Online Connection and a Journey to Earth

Gardner connects with Tulsa, a street-smart girl from Colorado, through an online chat room. He convinces her that he is stuck in a penthouse, unable to leave due to a medical condition. Nathaniel Shepard, the CEO of Genesis and a key figure in Gardner’s life, initially refuses to allow Gardner to visit Earth due to health concerns. However, Gardner undergoes surgery and training to adapt to Earth’s atmosphere and eventually makes the journey.

Escape and a Search for Identity

Upon arriving on Earth, Gardner discovers he is not fit for life there and is destined to be returned to Mars. Upset, he escapes to find Tulsa and search for his father. He and Tulsa embark on a journey across America, evading capture and discovering more about each other and the world around them.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Gardner Elliot (Asa Butterfield): The first human born on Mars, Gardner journeys to Earth to find his father and experience the planet he’s only dreamed of.
• Tulsa (Britt Robertson): A street-smart foster girl in Colorado, Tulsa helps Gardner navigate Earth and discover his origins.
• Nathaniel Shepherd (Gary Oldman): The CEO of Genesis and the Mars mission’s founder, Nathaniel grapples with the consequences of a secret kept for sixteen years.
• Kendra Wyndham (Carla Gugino): An astronaut and Gardner’s caretaker on Mars, Kendra is torn between her loyalty to Gardner and her duty to the mission.
• Sarah Elliot (Janet Montgomery): The astronaut who unknowingly carries and gives birth to Gardner on Mars, setting the story in motion.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Gardner Elliot: “What’s your favorite thing about Earth?” – Gardner repeatedly asks this question, expressing his curiosity and wonder about the new planet.
• Tulsa: “You are, Gardner.” – Tulsa responds to Gardner’s question, revealing her growing feelings for him.
• Tulsa: “Courage is just fear that has said its prayers.” – Tulsa explains courage with her words, while running from troubles in her life.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $30,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $7,885,294
• Worldwide Gross: $16,080,475

💥 The Space Between Us Reviews

Personal Review

I really wanted to love this movie! The premise of a boy from Mars experiencing Earth for the first time is so cool. Asa Butterfield is great as Gardner; he really sells the innocence and wonder. However, the plot gets a little silly and the romance feels rushed. I did enjoy the road trip aspect and seeing the landscapes. It made me think about what I love about Earth, which is a nice takeaway. It is a solid movie to watch when you want something that is not too challenging.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Teenagers”
  • “Fans of young adult romance movies”
  • “Viewers interested in light science fiction”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Teen romance with implied sexual content”
  • “Mild language”
  • “Some scenes of peril”

Professional Reviews

• Hollywood Reporter: “Though visually appealing, ‘The Space Between Us’ suffers from a contrived plot and predictable teen romance tropes. Asa Butterfield and Britt Robertson have chemistry, but the script undermines their performances. The film struggles to balance its sci-fi premise with its sentimental core.
• IGN: “A sweet but ultimately forgettable YA romance. The Space Between Us leans heavily on its leads, Asa Butterfield and Britt Robertson. While Butterfield is endearing as an innocent space boy, the story is riddled with plot holes and predictable beats. Worth a rental, but not a cinematic must-see.
• Screen Rant: “The Space Between Us, is unable to decide between a sweeping space adventure and a teen romance. The Space Between Us doesn’t quite achieve either of those goals, offering a muddled viewing experience with little of substance beyond the superficial

Audience Reactions

Asa Butterfield’s performance as Gardner was charming and convincing.: Viewers appreciated the film’s premise and Asa Butterfield’s portrayal of an alien experiencing Earth, but found the plot convoluted.

The cinematography and landscapes are very beautiful and inspiring.: The visuals, especially the scenes in the Grand Canyon, were praised for their beauty and contributed to the overall viewing experience.

Overall Consensus: A visually appealing YA romance with a creative premise, but ultimately hindered by plot holes, rushed romance, and shallow character development.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The closing credits list Colin Egglesfield, who played Sarah’s brother, as ‘Sarah’s bother’.”
• “Just after the video call with Tulsa, Gardner is watching a movie left by one of the German scientists. That movie is ‘Wings of Desire.'”
• “Many of the movie’s fiercest critics have their own agendas, usually trying to prove they’re smarter than the writer.”
• “What is your favorite thing about Earth? slogan seems to be one of the very few deep parts that comprise director Peter Chelsom’s newest inspirational film The Space Between Us.”

🖥️ How to Watch The Space Between Us?

As of today, there are no active theatrical releases. For home viewing, check streaming services like Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play for rental or purchase options. Check JustWatch for up-to-date streaming availability.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed The Space Between Us, you might like these similar films:

• The Fault in Our Stars (2014): Another teen romance dealing with serious themes of life, love, and mortality, appealing to a similar young adult audience.
• A Walk to Remember (2002): Sentimental tearjerkers dealing with young romance and death.
• Ender’s Game (2013): Starring Asa Butterfield in science fiction movie.

🛒 The Space Between Us Related Products

• The Space Between Us (Blu-ray): Experience the adventure and romance of ‘The Space Between Us’ in stunning high definition. This Blu-ray edition includes exclusive behind-the-scenes content, deleted scenes, and director commentary, providing a deeper look into the making of the film.
• NASA T-Shirt – Space Exploration Theme: Show your support for space exploration with this stylish NASA T-shirt. Made from high-quality, comfortable fabric, this shirt features a unique design that captures the spirit of space missions and the pursuit of knowledge. Available in various sizes.
• Celestron – 70mm Travel Scope – Portable Refractor Telescope – Perfect for Beginners – BONUS Astronomy Software Package: Celestron 70mm Travel Scope is the perfect telescope for beginners with quality optical components to deliver bright, crisp images. This scope features a compact and portable design making it easy to bring with you on the go.
• Space Exploration: A History in 100 Objects: Take an in-depth journey through the history of space exploration with this beautifully illustrated book. Featuring 100 significant objects, from early rockets to modern space stations, this book provides fascinating insights into the technology, people, and events that have shaped our understanding of the cosmos.

🎧 Soundtrack

The Space Between Us features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Oh, Caro Sollievo” – performed by Maeve Palmer

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Go Behind the Scenes of The Space Between Us (2017)

Ever wonder what it’s like on a movie set? This behind-the-scenes video gives you a sneak peek at the making of ‘The Space Between Us’! It’s pretty cool to see how they brought the Martian landscape to life.

The Space Between Us (2017) Movie Explained in Hindi | Space Between Us Ending Explained in Hindi

Did you find the ending of ‘The Space Between Us’ a bit confusing? This video breaks down the entire movie, including the ending, in Hindi! I found it super helpful in understanding some of the nuances I missed the first time.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=AHZIlhOLbco

Boy Lives on Mars for 18 Years, Falls in Love After Returning to Earth

Need a quick refresher on ‘The Space Between Us’ before diving deeper? This recap video summarizes the whole story in under 15 minutes. It’s a great way to remember all the main events and decide if you want to rewatch the whole movie!

✨ Rate