In the near future space exploration is a reality. When the Earth is rocked by power surges Major Roy McBride (Brad Pitt) is asked to travel across the solar system to seek out the father he thought was lost years ago on a mission to search for extraterrestrial life.

Two years ago James Gray brought to our screens The Lost City of Z. A gorgeously shot film about a man traversing perilous locations to seek out ancient civilisations. With Ad Astra he brings us a gorgeously shot film about a man traversing the solar system in search of his father. Again it is a sumptuous feast for the eyes and also includes a stunning score to rouse the senses.

Another aspect it shares with The Lost City Of Z is it’s slow burn nature. Ad Astra (Latin for “to the stars”) is very much a film about fathers and sons and humankind’s relationships with each other. As we see McBride journey across our solar system his narration give us insight into a man haunted by his father’s actions and fearful that they have left him closed off from love. It owes much to Apocalypse Now and 2001: A Space Odyssey. Mixing the introspection of the former and the grandiose exploration of the latter.

Perhaps the most interesting aspect of the film for me though is how McBride takes the perilous physical journey in his stride but struggles with the emotional turmoil it brings him with the film ultimately showing us that whilst humankind is self destructive we need to support each other to survive.

Pitt is nothing short of excellent as the lead and has able support from Tommy Lee Jones, Ruth Negga, Donald Sutherland and Liv Tyler.

A stunning achievement.