Don't Look Up

Don't Look Up

Year: 2021

Runtime: 145 min

Language: English

Sci-FiDramaComedy

As an astronomy grad student and her professor stumble upon a catastrophic comet hurtling towards Earth, they embark on a desperate media tour to sound the alarm. But with the nation's attention span riveted on social media, can they pierce the noise and awaken humanity to their impending doom? With six months left before impact, Kate and Randall face off against apathy, indifference, and 24-hour news cycles in a hilarious quest for global awareness.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – Don't Look Up (2021)
Explore the full timeline and setting of Don't Look Up (2021). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Modern Day

Set in contemporary times, the film captures the socio-political climate of the modern era, reflecting how governments and society react to scientific warnings. The film highlights the distractions of celebrity culture and the repercussions of negligence in the face of existential threats, showcasing a world grappling with pressing issues and misinformation.

Location

Earth, White House, Chile, Michigan State University

The movie takes place primarily on Earth, showcasing various locations such as the White House, where the protagonists go to inform the government about the impending comet disaster. Michigan State University plays a crucial role as the starting point of the discovery, highlighting the intersection of academia and pressing global issues. Chile is significant as the predicted impact site of the comet, emphasizing the global ramifications of the threat.

🌍 Earth 🏢 Government 🌌 Space

Last Updated: October 23, 2024 at 08:43

Main Characters – Don't Look Up (2021)
Meet the key characters of Don't Look Up (2021), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Kate Dibiasky

Kate Dibiasky is an astronomy graduate student with a tenacious spirit, driven by her discovery of the comet. Throughout the film, her vulnerability and frustration reveal her depth, as she faces ridicule and personal loss. Her journey symbolizes the struggle of truth-seekers in a world unwilling to listen.

🧑‍🎓 Student 🌠 Astronomer 💔 Discouraged

Dr. Randall Mindy

Dr. Randall Mindy is a passionate and dedicated professor who balances scientific integrity with personal failings. His character reveals depth as he grapples with infidelity and the weight of responsibility for the world’s fate. Mindy evolves from a hesitant participant to a vocal advocate for attention to the comet threat.

👨‍🏫 Professor 💔 Infidelity 🌌 Scientist

President Janie Orlean

President Orlean embodies the political apathy towards existential threats, initially dismissing the comet's significance. Her character arc reveals how political motivations can lead to disastrous decisions, and she symbolizes the struggle between popularity and responsibility. Her manipulative nature shifts as circumstances change.

🏛️ Politician 🚨 Indifference 📉 Scandal

Jason Orlean

Jason Orlean serves as the chief of staff to President Orlean, reflecting the bureaucratic disinterest in urgent matters. His characterization explores themes of complicity and the inner workings of political power, often prioritizing personal gain over genuine concern for the world’s fate.

🙏 Chief of Staff 🏛️ Bureaucrat 📉 Complicit

Yule

Yule is a teenager who provides emotional support to Kate during her tumultuous journey. His character represents the younger generation's hope and willingness to engage in the fight against existential crises. Their budding relationship offers a glimpse of solace amid chaos.

👦 Teenager ❤️ Supportive ☀️ Optimistic

Last Updated: October 23, 2024 at 08:43

Major Themes – Don't Look Up (2021)
Explore the central themes of Don't Look Up (2021), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🌌 Existential Threat

The looming comet represents a profound existential threat to all life on Earth. The film explores humanity's response to this crisis, revealing themes of denial, procrastination, and the struggle between immediate action and economic interests. It highlights how societal distraction can lead to disastrous consequences.

📺 Media Influence

Media's role in shaping public perception is critical to the narrative. The movie critiques how celebrity news often overshadows significant issues, demonstrating the power and responsibility of media in informing and engaging the public on urgent matters. It reveals how sensationalism can detract from genuine crises.

💔 Personal Struggles

Alongside global calamity, the film delves into personal relationships and emotional turmoil faced by the characters. Mindy's infidelity and Dibiasky's familial rejection mirror the broader themes of societal collapse. Their individual struggles add depth to the narrative, emphasizing that personal and collective crises often intertwine.

Last Updated: October 23, 2024 at 08:43

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