The Astronaut (2025): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending
The Astronaut is a 2025 horror thriller directed by Jess Varley, starring Kate Mara as Capt. Sam Walker, Daniel Quirke and Gabriel Luna. It runs 1 hour 30 minutes and earned $111,599 worldwide. Critics gave it 40 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 4.8/10.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 30m (90 min)
- Director
- Jess Varley
- Studio
- Fuller Media
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is The Astronaut About?
The premise of The Astronaut without spoilers. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.
After her spacecraft crashes on Earth, a military General confines the astronaut to a secure quarantine facility for rehabilitation and experimental testing. As strange and unsettling phenomena begin to occur within the base, she becomes convinced that an alien presence has survived the crash and is now stalking her among the humans.
The Astronaut Cast & Characters
Kate Mara leads the cast as Capt. Sam Walker, with Daniel Quirke as Guard and Gabriel Luna as Mark Walker. Directed by Jess Varley; 20 actors are credited in all.
- Director Jess Varley
-
Kate Mara as Capt. Sam Walker - Daniel Quirke as Guard
- Gabriel Luna as Mark Walker
-
Laurence Fishburne as Gen. William Harris
Also Starring in The Astronaut
· 16 more- Scarlett Holmes Izzy
- Aubrey Morris Background
- Reza Diako Dr. Ethan Marshall
- Macy Gray Val
- Ivana Milicevic Dr. Michelle Aiden
- Aidan O'Sullivan Private
- Daiana Madeira Medical Specialist
- Christine Abernathy Medical Assistant
- Ezrael MacTire Young Harris
- Erin Gill Young Sam
- Gareth Battersby Squad Leader
- Gordon Barry Clean Up Team Member, Background
- Alex Conlon Troop Captain
- Adriana Gimenez Background
- Alison Doherty Background
- Anna Ryan Background
The Astronaut Reviews & Ratings
Critics gave The Astronaut 40 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 4.8/10. Our Echo Score gives it 30/100, strongest in sensory experience (40) and weakest in story & flow (25).
The Astronaut Echo Score Breakdown
The Astronaut delivers a largely unsatisfying experience, with strengths limited to occasional production design and a brief suspenseful opening. Critics and audiences alike note uneven direction, a disjointed narrative, and uninspired performances that undermine the film's ambitions. While a few viewers appreciate the final twist and isolated tension, the prevailing view is that the movie fails to maintain engagement or coherence, resulting in low overall appeal.
Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.
- Art & Craft 35
In terms of art and craft, the film shows flashes of competence, such as solid production design and occasional effective staging. However, critics point to a decline in direction after the first half and uneven editing that hampers momentum. Sound design receives mixed feedback, ranging from commendable ambience to irritating audio choices. Overall, the technical execution is inconsistent, leaving the visual and auditory components feeling under‑realized.
- Character & Emotion 30
When evaluating character and emotion, Kate Mara is recognized as a reliable lead, yet many reviewers find the broader cast lacking depth and chemistry. Several users describe characters as selfish, unlikable, or poorly motivated, and dialogue is frequently labeled clunky. The limited development of supporting roles further reduces emotional resonance, resulting in a cast that struggles to sustain audience investment.
- Story & Flow 25
The story and flow suffer from a confusing structure and abrupt tonal shifts. Critics highlight a promising premise that devolves into predictable horror tropes and a finale that feels implausible. Pacing is described as steady early on but falters dramatically in the final act, with many reviewers noting a loss of narrative grip and a lack of satisfying resolution.
- Sensory Experience 40
Sensory experience receives mixed reactions. Production design and certain visual effects earn praise for atmosphere, while the soundtrack is often called annoying and the sound design sometimes overwhelms key moments. Some viewers appreciate the effective use of tension‑building audio cues, yet the overall auditory palette is uneven, producing a sensory landscape that alternates between engaging and distracting.
- Rewatch Factor 30
Rewatch factor is low for most audiences, with many describing the film as forgettable and a poor use of time. A minority mention curiosity about the twist or enjoy the isolated suspense, suggesting limited replay value. The consensus indicates that the film does not inspire repeat viewings, as narrative and technical flaws outweigh its brief moments of intrigue.
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IMDb 4.8 /10
12184 votes
See on IMDb -
Metacritic 40 Metascore
User score 4.8
See on Metacritic
The Astronaut Plot Summary & Ending Explained
What happens in The Astronaut from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
Sam Walker, a NASA astronaut from the International Space Station, crash-lands back on Earth after a mission goes wrong when her shuttle is struck by debris. Rescued by the U.S. Coast Guard, she is taken to hospital for recovery. Upon awakening, doctors in hazmat suits enter the room to question what happened during the accident; Sam does not remember and is placed into quarantine. She is visited by her husband Mark Walker and daughter Izzy before her father, Gen. William Harris, arrives to tell her the Pentagon is now taking over the investigation. For her safety, Sam is confined alone to a rural cottage.
Full summary
The whole story of The Astronaut, scene by scene, with the ending explained
The Astronaut Box Office
The Astronaut grossed $111,599 worldwide.
Worldwide gross
$111.6K
- International
- $111.6K
The Astronaut Trailers & Videos
4 videos: 1 trailer and 3 clips.
- Clip Official Clip
- Clip Official Clip
- Clip Official Clip
How Well Do You Know The Astronaut?
10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.
Question 1 of 10
- Question 1: not answered
- Question 2: not answered
- Question 3: not answered
- Question 4: not answered
- Question 5: not answered
- Question 6: not answered
- Question 7: not answered
- Question 8: not answered
- Question 9: not answered
- Question 10: not answered
Who rescues Sam Walker after she crash-lands back on Earth?
The Astronaut Also Known As
10 alternative titles, including “la astronauta” and “Астронавт”.
- Also known as
-
- la astronauta
- Астронавт
- Астронавтът
- Астронавтка
- رائدة الفضاء
- 异星迷航
- Astronautkinja
- 애스트로넛
- A Astronauta
- 異星迷航
Seen The Astronaut?
Articles About The Astronaut
Our article about The Astronaut: “The Astronaut (2025) Review & Opinions: Critics, Fan Reception, Performance, Storytelling and Franchise Impact”.
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Opinions
The Astronaut FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime
Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of The Astronaut, each answered in a sentence.
How long is The Astronaut?
The Astronaut runs 1 hour 30 minutes (90 minutes).
When was The Astronaut released?
The Astronaut was released on October 17, 2025.
Who directed The Astronaut?
The Astronaut was directed by Jess Varley.
More films by Jess Varley Who is in the cast of The Astronaut?
The Astronaut stars Kate Mara as Capt. Sam Walker, Daniel Quirke as Guard and Gabriel Luna as Mark Walker, among 20 credited actors.
How much did The Astronaut make at the box office?
The Astronaut grossed $111,599 worldwide.
How is The Astronaut rated?
The Astronaut has 4.8/10 on IMDb and 40 on Metacritic.
Does The Astronaut have a post-credit scene?
No. The Astronaut has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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