“Constellation”, review: one of the best sci-fi thrillers awarded the Apple seal

Constellation turns the idea of ​​deep space into mystery and horror. The Apple TV+ series starring Swedish actress Noomi Rapace begins with a seemingly isolated incident. An explosion that turns a peaceful existence on the International Space Station into an open door to a series of inexplicable and even dark events.

Over time, it will become clear that a purely technical event leads to an unknown point in reality. Or at least a way of understanding the passage of time and the very meaning of the substance of matter. The idea may seem ambitious, and it is, but the series analyzes it with a methodical eye for hyperrealism. The ship is shown as the core of a circumstance that can be explained in different ways.

With explicit references to Gravity Alfonso Cuaron and astronaut Joe Eriksson (Rapace) must solve the mystery of what caused the explosion. Whether floating in deep space or analyzing data through the station’s system, the conclusion is the same: the explosion was an accidental but serious incident.

At the same time, the plot contains elements of horror. When Joe goes into outer space to check for damage, He finds a stuffed corpse in a spacesuit, floating and almost accidentally attached to the hull of the ship. From now on, Constellation Subtly adds data that suggests the incident is not as simple as an object hitting metal. Despite what tools, experience, or simple logical deductions show, there is something else going on, potentially frightening.

What Science Can’t Explain

Gradually, Jo will try to understand why what she knows seems completely new. Or at least unknown. Dates, important events in your life and in the history of the world. Using quantum mechanics and physics, the early chapters suggest that this small change in the character’s perception is a theme related to the accident. But gradually the dispute will move into the very realm of explaining the supernatural. Is this a problem of perception of reality or a psychiatric problem of the astronaut?

First, each element indicates that it is the second option. After all, Jo has experienced a traumatic event, and the deviation from reality—or so she perceives it—is because of it. But the show doesn’t keep things simple, and the effective script explores layer by layer what the meaning of truth—and then reality itself—might be. The world to which the character belongs. However, at the same time, no. So, you’ll have to figure out when the changes started, what caused them, and where they’re taking you.

This argument is reasonable and well stated enough to make the assumption that unexplained events could have a scientific origin befuddle. And this is despite the fact that even Jo herself does not believe in it and the script accompanies her with a feeling of unreality and disorientation as something physical. Events take place in unprecedented and terrifying regions that threaten the sanity of the main character and call her every explanation into question. By the end of the second episode, only one thing becomes clear: the astronaut received some damage – to the matter of her body? — which takes her into an uncertain space.

Little clues to a big mystery

Moreover, everything that happens in itself is not an exaggeration or violence. Just different. Jo returns to Earth to find that her husband, previously a kind man, has become irritable and cruel. Not exaggerated, but obvious to someone who knows him well.

At least that’s what Jo assumes, as she struggles to make sense of something that seems so dangerous to her, even though it really isn’t. The same thing happens to his daughter Alice (Davina and Rosie Coleman), who is essentially the same girl he met, but in small details – such as not knowing the language or renewed musical talent – It’s completely unrecognizable.

ConstellationHe then decides to turn his story into a horror movie. And the transition between science fiction and genre is unusually simple and well-developed. Scientific explanations are punctual – although there is more explanatory dialogue than necessary – and always lead to the same conclusion. The anomaly that Joe suffers from is not just a perceptual phenomenon. This is a concrete fact that you will have to face.

Space at a new level

Over the past few years, there has been a significant resurgence of interest in classic science fiction. Not only thanks to the appearance of films such as Dune (the continuation of which we will see soon), Endurance And Godzilla: Minus One. Also due to the strong push that the genre received thanks to a group of series, including Foundation, Silage And For all mankind. All with Apple TV+. The subscription service is one of the ones that puts the most effort and investment into it. support a new level of quality in the genre’s arguments.

Constellation, is a demonstration of how far the platform’s products can go, both on a narrative level and especially on a visual level. The digital effects are amazing in their detail, and in the second chapter: The recreation of space exploration borders on stunning accuracy.

But the best thing about the series is, without a doubt, its writing. Full of repeated readings and measurements of core concepts, it delves into both the events and the characters. Between both things Constellation It traverses difficult terrain that even dares to question philosophical approaches. A risk that the script manages to solve with a well-told story that captures every facet of what it shows in an original way.A serious achievement that makes the series one of the best on the subscription service.