Skip to Content, Navigation, or Footer.
The Observer
Sunday, June 7, 2026
Grad Ads
Observer Store Subscribe
The Observer

Scene

1569360579-29c3041e9e83312

‘Ad Astra’ soars, taking the human condition with it

By Aidan O'Malley · Wednesday, Sept. 25, 2019

The phrase “Ad Astra” is Latin for “to the stars.” The movie “Ad Astra” makes reference to this in its opening with a red, inky font that calls to mind the opening crawl of “Blade Runner;” the word “replicant” practically bleeds. It’s the first of many allusions director James Gray (“The Immigrant,” “The Lost City of Z”) makes to the sci-fi that inspired him.

Trending