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Comedy

Space Cadet (2024): Cast, Ratings & Ending

Space Cadet (2024) movie poster

Space Cadet is a 2024 comedy directed by Liz W. Garcia, starring Caroline Concannon as Rex Simpson - 8 years old, Emma Roberts and Sebastián Yatra. It runs 1 hour 50 minutes. Critics gave it 40 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.0/10.

IMDb rating
5.0/10
Echo Score
40
Metascore
40
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Space Cadet (2024) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 50m (110 min)
Director
Liz W. Garcia
Genre
Comedy
Original language
English
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Space Cadet About?

The premise of Space Cadet without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

Tiffany "Rex" Simpson, eager to reach for the stars, manages to join NASA's astronaut training program. Surrounded by highly intelligent cadets, she must conceal her unconventional background while facing the challenges of zero-gravity training and unexpected cosmic incidents, all while trying to avoid being exposed.

Space Cadet Themes & Keywords

· 21 tags
  • hope
  • florida
  • nasa
  • woman wears bikini bottoms
  • tall man short woman relationship
  • party girl
  • treadmill
  • laptop
  • space
  • astronaut training
  • roommate
  • alligator wrestling
+9 more
  • bar
  • training
  • bartender
  • gym
  • unlikely hero
  • underdog story
  • astronaut
  • crescent moon
  • moon
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Cast & crew

Space Cadet Cast & Characters

Caroline Concannon leads the cast as Rex Simpson - 8 years old, with Emma Roberts as Rex Simpson and Sebastián Yatra as Toddrick Spencer. Directed by Liz W. Garcia; 20 actors are credited in all.

Also Starring in Space Cadet

· 16 more
From the director

More from Liz W. Garcia

More films directed by Liz W. Garcia, best-rated first: The Lifeguard and One Percent More Humid.

Full filmography
Ratings

Space Cadet Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Space Cadet 40 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.0/10. Our Echo Score gives it 40/100, strongest in character & emotion (55) and weakest in story & flow (30).

40 /100

Space Cadet Echo Score Breakdown

Space Cadet struggles to balance its comedic aspirations with its uneven execution across multiple dimensions. While Emma Roberts' performance and occasional moments of levity provide some enjoyment, the film is hampered by predictable plotting, uneven direction, and budgetary limitations that undercut visual engagement. Critics and audiences note a safe directorial approach and broad performances that fail to consistently resonate. Although the soundtrack and certain set pieces offer small highlights, these are insufficient to elevate the overall experience. Ultimately, the film lands as a forgettable outing with sporadic entertainment value.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 40

    In terms of direction and production design, Space Cadet displays a cautious visual approach that rarely ventures beyond standard framing and predictable set pieces. Occasional slow-motion astronaut sequences hint at creative potential, but these moments are overshadowed by noticeable green-screen effects and inconsistent visual coherence. The editing maintains basic narrative clarity but does little to enhance dramatic tension. Overall, the film’s craft remains serviceable yet unremarkable.

  • Character & Emotion 55

    When it comes to acting and emotional resonance, performances in Space Cadet are a mixed proposition. Emma Roberts delivers an engaging portrayal that anchors the film’s lighter moments, and her chemistry with co-stars offers sporadic warmth. However, many supporting roles lean toward broad, unconvincing expressions that undermine character depth. As a result, the emotional stakes oscillate, producing charm in places but failing to sustain consistent engagement.

  • Story & Flow 30

    When assessing plot coherence and engagement, Space Cadet struggles with uneven pacing and predictability that undercuts its comedic intent. Early sequences set up an underdog narrative effectively, but a transition into a rushed disaster subplot feels discordant and underdeveloped. Dialogue often falls flat and fails to generate sustained humor, despite intermittent laughs. Consequently, the film maintains sporadic engagement but never fully realizes its thematic or narrative potential.

  • Sensory Experience 45

    In terms of soundtrack and visual style, Space Cadet offers occasional auditory appeal but uneven production values. The musical score and select slow-motion sequences contribute energy and atmosphere, yet the limited budget results in conspicuous green-screen effects and muted sound design. These disparities create a disjointed sensory experience that alternates between brief highlights and underwhelming presentation, preventing cohesive immersion throughout the runtime.

  • Rewatch Factor 40

    When considering replay value and lasting appeal, Space Cadet proves to be a largely forgettable experience. Occasional comedic beats and the lead performance offer brief incentives for a second viewing, but the prevailing predictability and tonal inconsistencies diminish long-term interest. While some viewers may appreciate the film’s lighter moments on subsequent watches, the overall lack of depth and novelty suggests limited rewatch potential.

Plot

Space Cadet Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in Space Cadet from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 14 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Rex Simpson, Emma Roberts, is a Florida party girl with a secret fascination for space. A gifted amateur inventor who earned a full scholarship to Georgia Tech, she left college after her mother’s death to take care of her father, and she now works as a bartender and even performs as an alligator wrestler. Her contrast between a vibrant, carefree life and an earnest dream about the stars sets the tone for a story that blends grit with whimsy.

Full summary

The whole story of Space Cadet, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Videos

Space Cadet Trailers & Videos

7 videos: 1 trailer, 5 clips and 1 featurette.

All 7 videos
Official Trailer
  • Clip Sneak Peek
  • Clip Rex and Logan Almost Kiss
  • Clip Life on Mars: A NASA Space Simulation
  • Clip Rex's 10 Year High School Reunion
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Space Cadet?

9 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 9

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered

What is the nickname of the film's main character, Tiffany Simpson?

Details

Space Cadet Also Known As

19 alternative titles, including “La Cadette de l'Espace” and “太空训练生”.

Also known as
  • La Cadette de l'Espace
  • 太空训练生
  • 太空梦想
  • Infiltrada en la NASA
  • Uma Astronauta Quase Perfeita
  • Космический кадет
  • Космічний кадет
  • Nowa w kosmosie
  • 太空实习生
  • สาวแสบซ่า ท้าอวกาศ
  • Novata Espacial
  • Kaçık Astronot
+7 more
  • 太空學員
  • אסטרונאוטית
  • 스페이스 커뎃
  • Űrkadét
  • Úlet
  • Svemirska kadetkinja
  • Kosmoso kadetė

Seen Space Cadet?

FAQ

Space Cadet FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date

Runtime, release date, director, cast, ratings and post-credit scenes of Space Cadet, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Space Cadet?

Space Cadet runs 1 hour 50 minutes (110 minutes).

When was Space Cadet released?

Space Cadet was released on July 4, 2024.

Who directed Space Cadet?

Space Cadet was directed by Liz W. Garcia.

More films by Liz W. Garcia

Who is in the cast of Space Cadet?

Space Cadet stars Caroline Concannon as Rex Simpson - 8 years old, Emma Roberts as Rex Simpson and Sebastián Yatra as Toddrick Spencer, among 20 credited actors.

How is Space Cadet rated?

Space Cadet has 5.0/10 on IMDb, 40 on Metacritic and 55% on TMDB.

Does Space Cadet have a post-credit scene?

No. Space Cadet has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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