PLANET OF THE ASTRONAUTS

Cinemavixion Review

Justin Souriau-Levine's "Planet of the Astronauts" (2022) presents a bizarre, yet strangely compelling, blend of science fiction and pandemic thriller. The narrative follows three astronauts who, after a calamitous mission to Uranus and an inexplicable four-year sojourn within a black hole, return to a desolate New York City. Their disorientation is amplified by the revelation of a global pandemic, the "Covid-27 virus," which has decimated the population. What follows is an improbable quest across continents to find an Italian doctor and his fabled vaccine, a mission that unites a disparate band of astronauts and a commander's love interest in a bid to save humanity. While the premise teeters on the edge of absurdity, the film's commitment to its outlandish concept, coupled with its adventurous spirit and touches of dark humor, offers a unique viewing experience. The film, which garnered one win and two nominations, is a testament to independent filmmaking's capacity for bold, original storytelling, even if its execution occasionally feels as adrift as its protagonists.