Spaceman is now streaming on Netflix.
Johan Rench, perhaps best known for directing the groundbreaking HBO series Chernobyl, leaves behind the world of historical reality in exchange for one of futuristic endeavors. Spaceman, which stars Adam Sandler in a role unlike anything he’s attempted before, uses the science-fiction genre to explore the heart-wrenching affects of loss and regret in the realms of love. It’s reminiscent of Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind in that regard, as well as for casting a traditionally comedic actor in the lead. I had the opportunity to speak with Renck about his latest project, an experience that was as pleasant as it was insightful.
Johan Renck Talks Spaceman
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The interview, which was conducted via Zoom, got off to a rough start with the connection cutting only a moment into Johan Renck’s elaborations about the film’s core meaning. He was understanding of the technical issue and the interview continued smoothly after the small hiccup.
The film follows Jakub Procházka (Sandler) on a solo, investigatory space-mission taking him beyond Jupiter. It’s a six-month mission that takes him away from his wife Lenka (Carey Mulligan), at a time when their relationship is on the brink of a disastrous end. The distance and loneliness further strain the already fragile relationship and Jakub begins to question his choices.
“We’re all driven by our own wants and needs. And that’s kind of the human condition, isn’t it?” – Johan Renck
There are wants and needs that are so embedded in us, says Renck, that they are out of our control. He uses himself as an example, citing his profession as a filmmaker and the primal drive to creatively express himself. “It’s necessary to translate my feelings into something that is tangible to other people,” Johan explained, “whether it be music, which I used to do back in my days, writing, photography, and now it’s filmmaking.”
The film is undeniably a drama; however, as I watched it I couldn’t help but notice the essence of horror beneath the surface. One scene in particular features a spider moving just beneath the skin of Jakub’s face. It’s a tense moment that would make any viewer’s skin crawl, and according to Johan, that’s exactly what he wanted. “I’m an arachnophobiac,” Johan confessed, “I don’t like genre horror, but I like good horror like The Exorcist or Rosemary’s Baby. Psychological horror.”
In the film, Sandler’s Jakub is visited by a premortal, telepathic creature in the form of a giant spider voiced by Paul Dano. Ironic considering Johan’s admitted fear of arachnids. The spider, which Jakub names Hanuš, acts as Jakub’s only companion and uses his wisdom and insight to help Jakub come to terms with the regrets of his past while gaining a deeper understanding of his relationship with Lenka.
“You can always change, if you’re willing to commit to change,” Johan says.
Coming to terms with, and ultimately accepting, the choices we make in life is largely what the film is about according to Johan. Regret, he says, will get you nowhere.
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