The Astronaut Digital, DVD and Blu-ray Review

3 star tense but slightly confused science fiction tale.

The Astronaut is a 2025 science fiction horror thriller, written and directed by Jess Varley and marks her feature directorial debut.

It is available on UK Digital Platforms from 22nd September 2025 and on DVD and Blu-ray from 6th October 2025, courtesy of Signature Entertainment.

“They get a whiff that your immune system isn’t working and you’re sick or something, they’ll demote you to cleaning puke off the motion simulator.”

As the film opens, we see a race against time as NASA medical personal rush towards a downed capsule. Inside is Captain Sam Walker (Kate Mara – Shooter, The Martian), newly returned from a mission. Something has penetrated the capsule and smashed her helmet on re-entry. She is immediately quarantined and her estranged husband Mark (Gabriel Luna – Terminator: Dark Fate, The Last of Us) and adopted daughter Izzy (Scarlett Holmes – debut) are the first to visit.

Next is her adoptive father General William Harris (Laurence Fishburne – The Ice Road, John Wick: Chapter 4) who is concerned about the media circus surrounding her return and has arranged for her to stay at a secluded house with all the amenities necessary for her quarantine and recovery. Under the care of Dr. Michelle Aidan (Ivana Milicevic – Casino Royale) she moves to the new house.

But strange things are happening, she thinks she sees a shadowy figure, things levitate at random and she has a bruise which keeps getting bigger. At the advice of her friend Val (Macy Gray – Spider-man, The Paperboy), she doesn’t report these issues, but her concerns grow. Is it just the usual side effects of recovery or could she have brought something back to Earth and if so, what does it want from her?

“We stopped by for a surprise visit. You weren’t at home, so we did a sweep.”

The Astronaut is an interesting film, very slow burning but with some excellent acting performances, especially from Kate Mara, who carries the film well. Shot mostly in one location, it is sufficiently claustrophobic to build the tension and have you jumping with her at the ‘things that go bump in the night’.

While the question of whether it is all in her mind is enjoyable, it is slightly overused and as for the twist, well it’s downright silly and makes the whole thing feel rushed, as if they couldn’t decide how to finish it. All that said however, it is still good fun and worth adding to your collection.

“What’s wrong? Not enjoying Architectural Digest: Pentagon Edition? Hey, talk to me.”