What moved me most was how the main character shows such deep human sensitivity as he tries to communicate with and understand the being he meets in space. It's an incredible reminder of the beauty a soul can hold: free of prejudice and simply wanting to give the very best to someone else.
The Story
Ryland Grace (Ryan Gosling), a middle school science teacher, wakes up alone on a spacecraft with no memory of how he got there. Little by little, he discovers he was sent on a desperate mission: to save Earth from a threat that is draining the energy of the Sun. Along the way, he meets Rocky, a companion who will change everything.
Rocky, a Friend From Another World
Rocky has five legs, no face and communicates through echolocation. Far from being a simple digital effect, he is a character full of tenderness and humor. James Ortiz, who gives him his voice and brings him to life, describes him as a mix of a miserly old man, an energetic Labrador and an anxious teenager. Together, Ryland and Rocky prove that understanding each other doesn't depend on speaking the same language.
Behind the Scenes
Rocky isn't just animation: on set, he was a real puppet, operated by a team of puppeteers led by James Ortiz, who spoke to Ryan Gosling in real time so he could react. Some improvised takes lasted up to 40 minutes. The spacecraft's cockpit was built with real equipment from spacecraft and jets, and Gosling filmed the zero-gravity scenes suspended in harnesses.
Film Notes
Running time: 2 hours and 36 minutes
Genre: science fiction and adventure
Directors: Phil Lord and Christopher Miller
Cast: Ryan Gosling, Sandra Hüller and James Ortiz
Studio: Amazon MGM Studios
Where to watch: streaming availability changes often. Check your favorite platform to see where it’s available today.
Discover more stories on travel, entertainment and wellbeing at E Weekly News.
About the author: Patty Kralj has dedicated twenty years to what she loves most: writing about lifestyle. Having lived between Mexico and the United States, with a deep European sensibility, she created E Weekly News for one reason: to help you live better. Say hello here.
