Solaris
Directed by Steven Soderbergh
- drama
- science fiction
- mystery
The story
A troubled psychologist is sent to investigate the crew of an isolated research station orbiting a bizarre planet.
What it’s like
Cool, desaturated palette with warm pockets: the Earth scenes are shot in amber, sepia and tungsten-lit interiors, while the station and the ocean-planet sequences turn to muted blues, greys and chilly fluorescent whites. Long static takes hold on ordinary rooms, corridors and a lingering car ride through rain-slicked Tokyo-style traffic, with slow, deliberate camera moves that feel more like breathing than action. Sound is sparse: low hums, distant dripping, a spare score built from piano and cello that drops out for long stretches, leaving the silence heavy. The vibe is melancholic, hushed and quietly unsettling, a drift through grief and doubt that suits a rainy Sunday or a late night alone rather than background viewing. Pacing is slow and contemplative, and the emotional arc follows a grieving man slowly confronting a painful memory that refuses to stay buried. Intensity is low: there is no gore or on-screen violence, a few tense moments and some sexual content, with dread and sadness carrying the weight. For viewers who want a thoughtful, adult, mood-driven science fiction film rather than spectacle.
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