Ridley Scott's 2015 sci-fi blockbuster The Martian, starring Matt Damon, airs on Film4 this evening, October 21, at 6.15pm. The film holds a near-flawless 91% Rotten Tomatoes rating from both audiences and critics and earned seven Academy Award nominations.
A Stellar Cast and Story
The Martian features Matt Damon, Jessica Chastain, and Kristen Wiig in leading roles, with Chiwetel Ejiofor, Sean Bean, Michael Peña, Kate Mara, Sebastian Stan, and Mackenzie Davis rounding out the ensemble. Adapted from Andy Weir's 2011 novel, the screenplay was written by Drew Goddard.
The official synopsis reads: "When astronauts blast off from the planet Mars, they leave behind Mark Watney, presumed dead after a fierce storm. With only a meagre amount of supplies, the stranded visitor must utilize his wits and spirit to find a way to survive on the hostile planet. Meanwhile, back on Earth, members of NASA and a team of international scientists work tirelessly to bring him home, while his crew mates hatch their own plan for a daring rescue mission."
Box Office Success and Critical Acclaim
The 2015 blockbuster grossed $653.6 million globally against a production budget of $108 million, making it the 10th highest-grossing film of that year. It remains Scott's biggest commercial success, surpassing Gladiator I and II, Hannibal, Alien, and Blade Runner.
The film secured seven Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, Best Actor, and Best Adapted Screenplay. One critical review called it "a cracklingly good entertainment, a crowd-pleaser that's compelling and emotional and even a little inspirational." Another compared it to Gravity: "A muscular storytelling masterclass, a giddy audience-pleasing thrill-ride and certainly the most purely entertaining sci-fi movie since 2013's awards-magnet Gravity."
Audience Reactions and Filming Details
Shot across 70 days with 20 sets constructed on one of the world's largest sound stages in Budapest, Hungary, The Martian has become a cult classic. One viewer wrote: "The Martian is almost the perfect science-fiction movie for me because there isn’t a villain—there’s just an enormous problem that intelligent people have to solve. Smart, funny, optimistic, exciting science fiction done right."
Another fan added: "Insanely watchable. This 2015 film has so many great elements; top notch soundtrack, beautiful imagery, charismatic Matt Damon, realistic science and so much more. This is why this film scores 10/10 for me. I'm always ready for a rewatch."
The Martian airs on Film4 this evening at 6.15pm.
