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Plot Summary


At an astonishing altitude of 600 kilometers above Earth, the temperature can swing dramatically between +258 and -148 degrees Fahrenheit. In such an environment, where sound cannot travel due to the lack of air, life itself becomes unfeasible.

Dr. Ryan Stone (Sandra Bullock), a Mission Specialist, embarks on her inaugural mission aboard the Space Shuttle Explorer during STS-157. Accompanying her is the experienced astronaut Matt Kowalski (George Clooney), who is commanding his final flight. As they carry out a routine spacewalk to service the Hubble Space Telescope, lighthearted banter fills the air between them and Mission Control, marking a typical day of fulfilling their responsibilities. However, when Mission Control fails to receive any information from Hubble, it becomes evident that there is an issue with the communications component that Stone must rectify first.

As Kowalski tests the new jet-packs designed for better maneuverability, a warning resonates from Mission Control about an unexpected Russian missile strike on an abandoned satellite. This incident triggers a catastrophic chain reaction, resulting in a cloud of high-velocity debris jeopardizing their mission. Despite the impending danger, communications are suddenly severed, isolating the astronauts just as the debris strikes the Explorer, causing Stone to be violently torn from the shuttle and sent tumbling into the abyss of space.

In sheer panic and solitude, Stone battles to regain her bearings with only 8% oxygen remaining. Luckily, Kowalski manages to reach her using his jet-pack, and together they race back to the severely damaged space shuttle, which they soon discover is no longer functional, with the rest of their crew tragically lost. With only 90 minutes before another wave of debris descends upon them, they resolve to make their way to the nearby International Space Station (ISS), situated only about 1,450 meters away.

During their perilous journey to the ISS, the duo shares deeper insights into their lives—Stone reminisces about her medical career on Earth and the heart-wrenching loss of her daughter. Upon reaching the ISS, however, they find it evacuated and in disarray. Kowalski devises a plan to utilize the remaining Soyuz capsule for a daring escape to the Chinese space station Tiangong.

As chaos ensues and resources dwindle, Kowalski finds himself making a courageous choice to save Stone, employing his jet-pack’s limited power while providing her with last-minute instructions. He urges her to prioritize her survival, leaving her with the hope of reaching Earth. Alone, Stone manages to enter the ISS via an airlock, but her attempts to re-establish contact with Kowalski or Mission Control prove fruitless. Now confronted with the stark reality of being the sole survivor of STS-157, she must act quickly to undock the Soyuz while a fire ravages the station.

In what seems like a race against time, Stone must untangle the parachute lines ensnaring the Soyuz, just moments before the debris field annihilates the ISS. With courage and resolve, she aligns the Soyuz towards Tiangong, only to find it critically low on fuel. In a moment of despair, while contemplating her fate, she coincidentally connects with a Greenlandic Inuit fisherman through radio, hearing the soothing sound of a baby. Inspired by this unexpected encounter, Stone begins to envision hope for survival.

Just as despair ensnares her thoughts, Kowalski appears, not as a physical entity but as an echo of her determination, encouraging her to harness the Soyuz’s landing rockets to propel herself toward Tiangong. Gathering strength from this vision, she reignites her will to live, restores oxygen flow, and navigates towards the Chinese station. In a daring leap, she uses explosive decompression to eject herself towards Tiangong, moments before the station succumbs to destruction.

With unyielding bravery, Stone successfully boards the Shenzhou capsule, just as Tiangong begins to disintegrate upon re-entry. As she descends through the atmosphere, she hears the voices of Mission Control tracking her progress. The Shenzhou lands safely in a lake, and though the waters surge into the capsule, she holds her breath, swims through the hatch, sheds her constraining space suit, and emerges triumphantly on the shore, ready to embrace life anew.

Timeline


Launch of STS-157

Dr. Ryan Stone begins her first mission onboard the Space Shuttle Explorer as part of the STS-157 crew. Excitement and nerves fill the air as they prepare to execute their planned tasks in space.

Earth

Routine Spacewalk

Stone and her commanding officer Matt Kowalski conduct a routine spacewalk to service the Hubble Space Telescope. Their lighthearted banter highlights the camaraderie between them and connection with Mission Control.

Orbiting Earth

Communication Failure

During the spacewalk, Mission Control loses communication with the Hubble Space Telescope. This prompts Stone to check for issues in the communications equipment, indicating something is wrong.

Orbiting Earth

Russian Missile Strike

A sudden warning interrupts the mission, announcing a Russian missile strike on an old satellite. The event triggers a catastrophic chain reaction that creates a deadly cloud of debris.

Orbiting Earth

Catastrophic Debris Strike

The debris strikes the Space Shuttle Explorer, resulting in a violent disruption. Stone is forcefully ejected into the vastness of space, leaving her isolated and in peril.

Space

Desperate Attempt for Survival

With only 8% oxygen remaining, Stone struggles to orient herself in the terrifying emptiness of space. Kowalski bravely manages to reach her, and together they try to return to the damaged shuttle.

Space

Discovery of the Crew's Fate

Upon reaching the Explorer, Stone and Kowalski discover that the shuttle is nonfunctional and their crew has tragically been lost. Time is of the essence as a new wave of debris looms just 90 minutes away.

Space

Journey to the ISS

Stone and Kowalski embark on a perilous journey to the nearby International Space Station (ISS). As they travel, they share personal stories and reflect on their lives, particularly Stone's loss of her daughter.

Space

Evacuated ISS

Arriving at the ISS, they find it eerily deserted and in disarray. Kowalski formulates a plan to use the Soyuz capsule for escape, recognizing the urgency of their situation.

International Space Station

Kowalski's Sacrifice

In a brave act to save Stone, Kowalski uses the last power of his jet-pack to guide her while he stays behind. He instructs her to focus on survival as he gives her a last farewell.

International Space Station

Alone in the ISS

Now alone, Stone enters the ISS through an airlock. She attempts unsuccessfully to re-establish contact with Kowalski and Mission Control, highlighting her isolation in a critical moment.

International Space Station

Untangling the Soyuz

Stone faces the daunting task of undocking the Soyuz capsule while a fire escalates within the ISS. She must untangle the parachute lines, racing against time to escape the doom of debris.

International Space Station

Desperaate Connection

As the situation becomes dire, Stone unexpectedly connects through radio with a Greenlandic Inuit fisherman, providing her with a moment of peace and inspiration amidst chaos.

Space

Vision of Kowalski

In a critical moment of despair, Stone visualizes Kowalski encouraging her to use the Soyuz’s landing rockets for a final push towards the Chinese space station, Tiangong.

Space

Landing in the Lake

Stone lands the Shenzhou capsule in a lake after a harrowing descent through the atmosphere. Despite the water rushing in, she remains determined and swims to safety, ready for a new beginning.

Earth

Characters


Dr. Ryan Stone

A skilled Mission Specialist, Dr. Ryan Stone represents resilience and determination. Throughout the film, she battles physical and emotional challenges, drawing strength from her past while confronting the reality of her situation in space. Her journey reflects a profound transformation as she learns to embrace life amidst adversity.

👩‍🚀 Astronaut 💪 Resilience 💔 Grief

Matt Kowalski

Matt Kowalski is an experienced astronaut, exemplifying bravery and camaraderie in the face of danger. His lighthearted banter and mentorship provide a sense of stability to Stone, even as he makes the ultimate sacrifice. Kowalski's character adds depth to the narrative, illustrating the bonds formed in life-and-death situations.

👨‍🚀 Commander 🙌 Sacrifice 🤝 Friendship

Setting


Time period

Near Future

The film is set in a near future where space exploration has progressed significantly, allowing for missions to repair and service advanced telescopes like Hubble. The geopolitical tensions resulting in the missile strike reflect contemporary issues and advancements in space technology.

Location

Earth, Space Shuttle Explorer, International Space Station, Chinese Space Station Tiangong

The movie takes place in the vastness of outer space, specifically aboard the Space Shuttle Explorer and the International Space Station (ISS). These locations are known for their technological advancements and scientific research. The ISS serves as a microgravity research laboratory while the remnants of Earth linger as a distant, life-sustaining planet.

🌌 Space 🌍 Earth 🚀 Spacecraft

Themes


🪐

Survival

Survival is a central theme of the movie, as Dr. Ryan Stone navigates the perils of space after a catastrophic event. Her struggle against despair and isolation illustrates the human will to survive against overwhelming odds. The theme is further emphasized through her memories and connections to life back on Earth.

💔

Loss

The theme of loss permeates the narrative, particularly through Stone's recollections of her daughter. This emotional backdrop drives her determination to survive and find hope amidst the chaos, highlighting how personal grief can fuel resilience in dire situations.

Hope

Hope emerges as a pivotal theme when Stone connects with the Greenlandic fisherman, symbolizing a lifeline in her darkest moments. This connection inspires her to persevere, demonstrating that even in the void of space, the human spirit can find hope and purpose.

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