Dark Matter releases on Apple TV+ on May 8th, 2024.
The Multiverse is undeniably dominating the world of pop-culture. With Everything Everywhere All At Once sweeping the Oscars in 2023, Spider-Man: No Way Home bringing fan favorite web-slingers back to the big-screen and The Flash… well, perhaps it’s better not to talk about that one. Audiences fascination with the multi-verse has slowed down in 2024. Deadpool and Wolverine is set to “save the MCU” by bringing the Merc with a Mouth into the biggest cinematic universe in history and teaming him up with Hugh Jackman’s highly celebrated Wolverine; however, the multi-verse isn’t exclusive to superhero levels of extravagance.
Dark Matter uses the endless possibilities of parallel universes for deeper exploration. The new series, adapted from the 2016 novel written by Blake Crouch — who also acts as an executive producer and writer here — utilizes the sliding doors theory to tackle elements of love and regret.
I had the chance to speak with the series’ stars, Joel Edgerton and Alice Braga.
The Plot
Jason (Joel Edgerton) lives a modest life with his wife, Daniela (Jennifer Connelly), and teenage son. He works as a college professor until one night he’s taken by a masked stranger, he wakes up in a world where nothing is as he remembers it. The multiverse isn’t just a theory, it’s real and an alternate version of himself is now living the life he knew and loved. Along with the help of Amanda (Alice Braga), Jason will have to fight to get back to the world he left behind.
Joel Edgerton and Alice Braga talk Dark Matter
Joel Edgerton — along with most of the cast — play multiple versions of the same character throughout the series. There’s the main Jason — referred to as “Jason 1” — and the Jason responsible for tearing his life apart, fittingly referred to as “Jason 2.” The actions of Jason 2 could objectively be described as evil. After all, he kidnapped Jason 1 and took over his life, casting a negativity that ripples through the lives of everybody he encounters; however, Joel Edgerton thinks that description is unfair and oversimplistic.
“(it’s) a human thing that goes beyond good and bad, and shows a bit more nuance and gray area.” – Edgerton
Jealousy and regret are significant factors behind Jason 2’s actions in the series, and these are very human feelings that we’ve all encountered. “How do you remind yourself to be grateful for what you have?” Joel, who also acts as an executive producer, asks.
Alice Braga — who I’d first seen in 2004’s City of God — expressed hesitation in exploring the multiverse in a real-life scenario. In the series, a large cube called “The Box” acts as the gateway for jumping through universes. When asked if she would enter The Box, he answered with a vehement answered, “I would run the hell away from it.” She followed up her answer with laughter, before going on to explain her refusal with more detail.
“There’s no right or wrong choice, and we can always make the changes in the life that we’re in.” – Braga
The series, Braga explains, is a metaphor for accepting the choices we’ve made, rather than living with the regret of what might have been.
Dark Matter will release episodes weekly to Apple TV+, with the first two episodes premiering on May 8th.
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