Constellation

Constructed from various plot threads, interweaving realities and genres, Apple TV+’s Constellation is an enthralling sci-fi outing that blends aspects of horror, mystery and psychological thriller to spin a compelling narrative that sees bizarre occurrences befall astronaut Jo Ericson (Noomi Rapace) after things go horribly wrong on a space station. Three episodes in, however, and it’s still unclear exactly what’s happening. Viewers are kept just as much in the dark about the plot as the characters. And while the uncertainty sparks an intriguing mystique that leaves audiences wanting more, the unevenness of the pacing comes with its own frustrations.

The first episode begins with Jo and her daughter Alice travelling to a cabin in the middle of a blizzard. Before viewers can get to grips with the situation, they’re swept into outer space where Jo is having a video call with Alice while onboard a space station. It’s at this point disaster strikes when something collides with the station and causes massive damage. After her surviving colleagues evacuate, Alice is left onboard alone. Meanwhile, a commanding NASA officer (played by Jonathan Banks) is more concerned about recovering experimental equipment than getting Alice home.

The first two episodes are a combination of Gravity and The Martian as Alice works to get herself back to Earth against all probable odds. Rapace gives a solid performance in the leading role, and even though viewers know from the start that she makes it back, the script creates moments of edge-of-your-seat suspense. However, there’s also a dash of Event Horizon sprinkled throughout the early parts of the show, too. Occasionally Jo’s surroundings warp into a nightmarish version of themselves where she encounters disturbing visions and the odd jump scare. Although these moments don’t quite enter full-blown horror territory, the imagery is nevertheless unsettling, and only invites further curiosity about the wider plot.

Adding to the strangeness, characters will be played by two different actors, and another goes by multiple names. Constellation is at its best in these moments, leaving viewers hungry for answers. Unfortunately, these points are scattered throughout an unevenly paced plotline that takes too long to find its feet and is diluted with stretches of tedious dialogue.

Although it takes its time to get going, there’s plenty of potential wrapped up in Constellation’s gripping and strange central mystery.

Andrew Murray

Constellation is released on Apple TV+ on 21^st February 2024.

Watch the trailer for Constellation here: