In the Netflix film “Spaceman” based on the novel by Jaroslav Kalfař and directed by Johan Renck, Adam Sandler portrayed Jakub, a Czech astronaut on a solitary mission in space. Jakub’s journey into space becomes a backdrop for exploring themes of loneliness, mental health, and the complexities of human relationships. Amidst the vast emptiness of space, Jakub finds himself engaging in profound conversations with an unlikely companion: a giant, yet unscary, spider (voiced by Paul Dano).
This bizarre encounter serves not only as a source of comfort but also as a catalyst for Jakub to confront the unraveling threads of his relationship with his wife Lenka (played by Carey Mulligan). Critics of the film, which premiered at the Berlin International Film Festival, criticize the lack of humor and the absence of Czech actors who could enrich the film with their mentality. “Spaceman” will be released in the USA and the UK on February 23, and on Netflix on March 1.