Approaching the Unknown
A lone astronaut's one-way mission to colonize Mars.
Approaching the Unknown is a 2016 American science fiction drama film. It marks the feature directorial debut of Mark Elijah Rosenberg, who also wrote the screenplay. The lead role of Captain William Stanaforth, the first astronaut on a solo mission to Mars, is played by Mark Strong. Supporting roles are filled by Luke Wilson and Sanaa Lathan. The film had a theatrical release in the United States on June 3, 2016, through Vertical Entertainment, and was later made available on home media and video on demand by Vertical Entertainment.
The story follows Captain Stanaforth on a one-way journey to Mars, intended as humanity’s first step toward colonization. Though the world watches, he is entirely alone aboard his spacecraft. After launch and rocket separations, ground control sets him on a 270-day course to Mars, and he removes his suit to relax. Flashbacks reveal that Stanaforth devised a method to create water by supercompressing sand and combining the resulting hydrogen and oxygen, a process that made the mission possible. During the flight, his water-generation device fails. Instead of aborting and returning to Earth as protocol dictates, he takes manual control and continues toward Mars. During a voiceover, a nebula-like visual effect appears, and he reflects on matter and space, stating, "This is why I came here. To give everything up. For one moment of pure wonder." He is then seen exiting the spacecraft in his spacesuit. Without explanation, the scene shifts to a clean-shaven Stanaforth inside his ship, preparing to land on Mars. After landing, he walks on the surface and says, "Nothing has ever lived here. Nothing has even died here. Maybe I'll live forever."
The cast includes Mark Strong as Captain William D. Stanaforth, Luke Wilson as Louis Skinner (Skinny), Sanaa Lathan as Captain Emily Maddox, Charles Baker as Captain Frank Worsely, and Anders Danielsen Lie as Greenstreet.
In April 2016, Vertical Entertainment secured U.S. distribution rights, and also obtained U.S. home media and video on demand rights, along with worldwide rights excluding Japan, Korea, Taiwan, the Middle East, and South Africa. The film was released on June 3, 2016.
Critical reception was mixed. On Rotten Tomatoes, it holds a 43% approval rating from critics, with an average score of 5/10 based on 21 reviews.
Quick Facts
- Director
- Mark Elijah Rosenberg
- Producer
- Josh Penn / Matthew Parker / Thomas B. Fore / Jason Michael Berman / Mark Roberts / P. Jennifer Dana
- Starring
- Mark Strong / Luke Wilson / Sanaa Lathan
- Music
- Paul Damian Hogan
- Cinematography
- Adam Newport-Berra
- Editing
- David Barker / Darrin Navarro / Matt Rundell / Marc Vives
- Studio
- Department of Motion Pictures / Loveless / Hinkson Entertainment
- Distributor
- Vertical Entertainment
- Released
- 3 June 2016 · United States
- Runtime
- 90 minutes
- Country
- United States
- Language
- English
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The film follows Captain William Stanaforth on a one-way solo mission to Mars, humanity's first step toward colonizing the planet. After liftoff and rocket separations, he removes his suit and is set on a 270-day course to Mars. Flashbacks reveal that Stanaforth devised a method to create water by supercompressing sand and combining hydrogen and oxygen byproducts, making the mission possible. When his water generation apparatus malfunctions, he disobeys protocol to return to Earth and instead takes manual control, continuing toward Mars. During a voiceover, a visual effect appears as he reflects on matter and space, saying, 'This is why I came here. To give everything up. For one moment of pure wonder.' He then exits the spacecraft in his suit.
Reader's Guide
Approaching the Unknown represents a modest entry in the space exploration subgenre, notable for its focus on psychological isolation rather than action. The film's significance lies in its portrayal of a solo astronaut's determination to continue a mission despite critical failure, echoing themes of human ambition and sacrifice. Mark Strong's performance received praise, with Ben Kenigsberg of The New York Times noting that 'If Approaching the Unknown isn't entirely satisfying, Mr. Strong reaches high with his portrayal of the unraveling of a man who believes survival is a matter of engineering.' The film's mixed critical reception—43% on Rotten Tomatoes and 53 on Metacritic—reflects its ambition but uneven execution. Its legacy is as a debut feature for director Mark Elijah Rosenberg and a showcase for Strong's ability to carry a one-person narrative. The film's distribution by Vertical Entertainment and Paramount Home Media Distribution ensured a theatrical and home media release, though it did not achieve widespread cultural impact.
Did You Know?
- The film is Mark Elijah Rosenberg's feature directorial debut.
- Mark Strong plays Captain William Stanaforth, the first person on a lone mission to Mars.
- The water generation apparatus on the spacecraft malfunctions during the mission.
- Stanaforth's spacecraft becomes entangled with a nebula during the journey.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who directed and wrote Approaching the Unknown?
Mark Elijah Rosenberg both penned the screenplay and helmed the film, making it his feature-length directorial debut. He crafted the story as a science fiction drama centered on a single astronaut's experience.
Who plays the lead role in Approaching the Unknown?
Mark Strong portrays Captain William Stanaforth, the lone astronaut tasked with a one-way trip to establish a human presence on Mars. Luke Wilson and Sanaa Lathan round out the supporting cast.
What is the basic premise of Approaching the Unknown?
The film follows Captain Stanaforth as he undertakes a solo, irreversible journey to Mars with the goal of beginning human colonization of the red planet. The narrative focuses on the psychological and physical isolation of that single traveler.
When and where was Approaching the Unknown released?
Vertical Entertainment brought the film to U.S. theaters on June 3, 2016. It subsequently became available on home media and video-on-demand platforms through the same distributor.
Why do hard sci-fi fans consider Approaching the Unknown noteworthy?
It stands out for committing to a realistic, grounded depiction of a solo Mars colonization mission rather than relying on ensemble crews or fantastical tech. The film's drama-driven structure and emphasis on one person's endurance give it a distinct tone within the genre.
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