First Look at ‘The Astronaut’ Sci-Fi Thriller with Kate Mara & Fishburne

First Look at ‘The Astronaut’ Sci-Fi Thriller with Kate Mara & Fishburne

by Alex Billington
September 22, 2025
Source: YouTube

What did she bring back? Signature Entertainment has revealed a first look promo for a movie called The Astronaut, a sci-fi thriller from filmmaker Jessica Varley making her feature directorial debut. It’s out on VOD now in the UK (but only there). This isn’t exactly the most original idea – it sounds similar to so many other sci-fi thrillers before it. After returning from her first space mission, astronaut Sam Walker is placed under NASA’s care at a high security house for rehab and medical testing isolated in the woods. However, when disturbing occurrences begin happening around the property, she fears that something extraterrestrial has followed her back to Earth. Is it real or is it just in her head? Starring Kate Mara as Sam, Laurence Fishburne, Gabriel Luna, Ivana Milicevic, & Macy Gray. This originally premiered at the 2025 SXSW Film Festival earlier this year. It’s being released in the UK directly to VOD starting today (September 22nd) but still has no US release yet. Not a good sign for this one, despite the engaging premise it seems like it’s a dud (reviews say the same). This is a chilling way to introduce the film – watch out for it if you are curious.

Here’s the official UK promo (+ poster) for Jess Varley’s sci-fi film The Astronaut, direct from YouTube:

We’ll update and add the official trailer here once it’s available to watch online – stay tuned for any news.

👩‍🚀 Humanity is about to learn we’re not alone… When astronaut Sam Walker returns from her first space mission, she’s found miraculously alive in a punctured capsule floating deep off the coast of the Atlantic Ocean. Required to be quarantined, her adopted father General William Harris places Sam under NASA surveillance in a high security house, isolated in the woods. Reunited with her husband, Sam appears to be re-acclimating and preparing for her next mission. When disturbing occurrences begin happening around the property, she fears that something extraterrestrial has followed her back to Earth, and the agencies meant to protect her are endangering her life. Not even those close to her can be trusted. The Astronaut is written and directed by American indie filmmaker Jess Varley, making her feature directorial debut after a few other shorts. It’s produced by Brad Fuller, Eric B. Fleischman, Chris Abernathy, Cameron Fuller. This initially premiered at the 2025 SXSW Film Festival earlier this year. Signature Ent will release Varley’s The Astronaut film in the UK direct-to-VOD on September 22nd, 2025. No US release is set yet – stay tuned.

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