Ad Astra

Main Plot

Ad Astra follows astronaut Roy McBride, who is tasked with a critical mission to uncover the truth behind a series of mysterious power surges threatening Earth. These surges are believed to be linked to his long-lost father, H. Clifford McBride, an esteemed astronaut who disappeared during a mission to Neptune years earlier. As Roy journeys through the solar system, he faces various challenges, including treacherous environments and encounters with other space travelers. His quest leads him to confront not only the vastness of space but also his own emotional struggles and the complexities of his relationship with his father. The film explores themes of isolation, the human condition, and the search for connection amidst the infinite expanse of the universe. Ultimately, Roy's journey becomes a profound exploration of love, loss, and the quest for understanding in a seemingly indifferent cosmos.

Characters

• Brad Pitt plays Roy McBride, an astronaut tasked with traveling to the outer edges of the solar system to find his missing father and uncover the truth behind mysterious power surges.
• Tommy Lee Jones plays H. Clifford McBride, an astronaut whose mission's mysterious failure prompts his son to embark on a journey to uncover the truth.
• Ruth Negga plays Helen Lantos, a Mars colony director who helps Roy McBride uncover crucial information about his father's mission.

Ending Explained

In the ending of Ad Astra, the protagonist, Roy McBride, completes his mission to reach the distant planet of Neptune, where he hopes to find his father, Clifford, who has been lost in space for decades. After a harrowing journey, Roy discovers that Clifford has been alive but is deeply affected by the isolation and the mission's failure to find extraterrestrial life. In a climactic confrontation, Roy learns that Clifford's obsession with his mission has led him to disregard the safety of his crew and the potential consequences of his actions. The resolution comes when Roy confronts his father, who is now a shadow of his former self, consumed by madness and despair. Roy ultimately decides to disconnect the power source of the project that has been causing dangerous energy surges throughout the solar system, which symbolizes his acceptance of his father's failures and his own need to move on. This act resolves the main conflict of reconciling with his father's legacy and the burden of expectation. The film concludes with Roy returning to Earth, reflecting on the importance of human connection and the need to let go of the past, emphasizing the themes of isolation and the search for meaning in a vast, indifferent universe.