The Astronaut's Wife 1999

As astronaut Spencer Armacost returns from a perilous mission, his Earthly existence takes an eerie turn. Trading the vastness of space for a desk job, Spencer becomes increasingly distant and detached, leaving his wife Jillian (Charlize Theron) to wonder if her loved one has been forever changed by the cosmos.

As astronaut Spencer Armacost returns from a perilous mission, his Earthly existence takes an eerie turn. Trading the vastness of space for a desk job, Spencer becomes increasingly distant and detached, leaving his wife Jillian (Charlize Theron) to wonder if her loved one has been forever changed by the cosmos.

Does The Astronaut's Wife have end credit scenes?

No!

The Astronaut's Wife does not have end credit scenes. You can leave when the credits roll.

Meet the Full Cast and Actors of The Astronaut's Wife

Explore the complete cast of The Astronaut's Wife, including both lead and supporting actors. Learn who plays each character, discover their past roles and achievements, and find out what makes this ensemble cast stand out in the world of film and television.


Ratings and Reviews for The Astronaut's Wife

See how The Astronaut's Wife is rated across major platforms like IMDb, Metacritic, and TMDb. Compare audience scores and critic reviews to understand where The Astronaut's Wife stands among top-rated movies in its genre.


Metacritic

38

Metascore

5.9

User Score

Rotten Tomatoes
review

%

TOMATOMETER

review

0%

User Score

IMDb

5.4 /10

IMDb Rating

Take the Ultimate The Astronaut's Wife Movie Quiz

Challenge your knowledge of The Astronaut's Wife with this fun and interactive movie quiz. Test yourself on key plot points, iconic characters, hidden details, and memorable moments to see how well you really know the film.


The Astronaut's Wife Quiz: Test your knowledge on the twists and turns of 'The Astronaut's Wife' from 1999.

What is Spencer Armacost's profession?

Full Plot Summary and Ending Explained for The Astronaut's Wife

See more

Read the complete plot summary of The Astronaut's Wife, including all major events, twists, and the full ending explained in detail. Explore key characters, themes, hidden meanings, and everything you need to understand the story from beginning to end.


In an astonishing twist of fate, Spencer Armacost (Johnny Depp), an astronaut, and his spouse Jillian find themselves leading two vastly different lives. Jillian, a dedicated second-grade teacher, navigates the mundane challenges of her daily routine, while Spencer embarks on a harrowing space mission that takes an unexpected turn. During this mission, an explosion occurs, leaving Spencer and his colleague Alex Streck stranded and disconnected from their command center, plunging them into a chaotic abyss.

Upon their return to Earth, the two couples gather at the hospital, where both astronauts lie unconscious, grappling with the aftermath of their ordeal. Although Spencer awakens without complications, Alex faces a severe medical crisis that demands urgent intervention. This stark contrast of recovery begins to sow seeds of tension, especially as Spencer and Alex remain silent about the terrifying events that unfolded above.

Not long after, Spencer accepts a stimulating new position at McLaren, a prominent firm in New York City, prompting a significant pivot in his professional life. Jillian, during a farewell gathering for Alex, becomes increasingly alarmed by Spencer’s unsettling behavior, leading to heartbreak as he suddenly suffers a stroke—a misfortune NASA attributes to the pressures of their mission. The grief deepens when Jillian learns about the tragic fate of Natalie, Alex’s wife, who succumbed to her despair in a devastating act of self-harm.

As Jillian’s world begins to spiral, she confronts Spencer about their shared traumatic experience in space. His vague and evasive answers only amplify her growing anxiety, culminating in a night that leaves her unexpectedly pregnant with twins. Amid this tumult, she opens up to her doctor about her own painful history—the emotional scars left by the tragic loss of her parents. These revelations haunt her in dreams, making her question the reality around her, as visions of death and loss swirl within her psyche.

Desperate for clarity, Sherman Reese warns Jillian about the danger Spencer poses, asserting that he is not the person he once was. After being dismissed by NASA for his claims of misconduct regarding Spencer, Reese becomes relentless in his pursuit of the truth. Jillian initially remains skeptical of his warnings but soon becomes alarmed when he reveals that Natalie was pregnant with twins at the time of her demise. This shocking revelation propels her into a frantic quest for answers, leading her to investigate the autopsy report further.

However, disaster strikes when Reese goes missing, leaving Jillian with a cryptic clue: a key to a self-storage locker containing a VHS cassette that promises to unveil hidden truths. The tape, when played, unveils unsettling signals picked up during the astronauts’ final communication, igniting Jillian’s belief that an extraterrestrial force has invaded Spencer’s body for sinister purposes.

Amidst these chilling discoveries, Jillian’s attempts for an abortion lead to more chaos. Spencer’s violent intervention leaves her reeling, and in a desperate bid for freedom, she tumbles down a staircase. As she regains consciousness, Reese’s haunting voice echoes warnings about the twins she carries. The nightmarish turmoil culminates in Jillian having to confront Spencer himself, who harbors dark secrets that bind him to both Jillian and their unborn children.

Determined to reclaim her life, Jillian constructs barriers to protect herself from Spencer’s looming presence. As she prepares for a confrontation at home, time becomes her enemy, with Spencer’s arrival foreshadowed by the ominous creaking of the house around her.

In a heartbreaking revelation, Jillian learns the grim fate of her sister Nan, devoured by the very darkness that now haunts her life. Confronting Spencer, who embodies the terror she initially dismissed, Jillian battles against the chaos with unwavering resolve. In a final confrontation, water cascades down around them as Jillian finds the strength within to harness electrical current, using it to sever Spencer’s malevolent control and protect her unborn children.

Finally, in the aftermath of conflict, Jillian emerges stronger and more resilient. Having rebuilt her life, she now embraces motherhood with a renewed sense of hope. As her twins step onto the school bus for their first day, they look back at her with a blend of apprehension and affection, while Jillian reassures her husband—now a loving stepfather—that he is an indispensable part of their New York family.

Uncover the Details: Timeline, Characters, Themes, and Beyond!

Watch Trailers, Clips & Behind-the-Scenes for The Astronaut's Wife

See more

Watch official trailers, exclusive clips, cast interviews, and behind-the-scenes footage from The Astronaut's Wife. Dive deeper into the making of the film, its standout moments, and key production insights.


Astronaut's Wife (1999) Official Trailer - Johnny Depp, Charlize Theron Movie HD

Cars Featured in The Astronaut's Wife

See 13 more

Explore all cars featured in The Astronaut's Wife, including their makes, models, scenes they appear in, and their significance to the plot. A must-read for car enthusiasts and movie buffs alike.


AM

General HMMWV

Chevrolet

1987

Caprice

Chevrolet

1991

Caprice

Chevrolet

1969

Corvette Stingray C3

Dodge

1991

Dynasty

Dodge

1987

Shadow

Ford

1990

LTD Crown Victoria

GMC

1984

B-Series

Jeep

1979

Wagoneer

Mercury

1988

Grand Marquis

Movie Themes and Keywords

Discover the central themes, ideas, and keywords that define the movie’s story, tone, and message. Analyze the film’s deeper meanings, genre influences, and recurring concepts.


space sci fiastronautmissionmarital rapesisterpilotwoman in jeopardypregnancypossessionsex in publichospitalmurderelectrocutiondeath of sistertwins1990snightgownwoman wears a nightgownattempted murderslapman hits a girlslapping a girlelectrocuted in a bathtubdomestic violencetragic eventparanoiapunctuation in titleapostrophe in titlevillain as protagonistsuburbhusband wife relationshipalien possessionvenereal diseaserobberyretirementpsycho thrillerouter spaceescapedepressionalienmarriagesurprise ending

Similar Movies You Should Know About

Browse a curated list of movies similar in genre, tone, characters, or story structure. Discover new titles like the one you're watching, perfect for fans of related plots, vibes, or cinematic styles.


© 2025 What's After the Movie. All rights reserved.