Spider Reflections from Netflix’s ‘Spaceman’
I have some dark thoughts that I don’t like to explore, and this movie made me delve into them mentally.
Specifically, I fear that when I die, I will be reincarnated as a spider.
I fear contemplating this because I could never adjust to the physicality of it - being in the skin of a spider.
This movie took me there. I found myself going down this unnecessary road of thoughts and I realized some things that alleviated my spider reincarnation fear.
[SPOILERS BEYOND THIS POINT]
5/4/2024 - Over the course of 35 years, I've noticed a curious phenomenon: what we inhabit gradually becomes ordinary to us.
This is most evident in my own experience of inhabiting a human body.
Upon reflection, it strikes me that humans, including myself, have a rather unsettling appearance, not so different from spiders in some respects.
Yet, despite this, I've grown accustomed to the way my body looks, feels, and operates. What may seem strange or frightening is largely subjective.
Realizing this normalization process has led me to believe that if, by some chance, I were to transition to a spider form in the afterlife, I would likely adapt to it just as readily.
I realize how strange this line of logic is, but the reason I’m sharing this is to provide an example of the type of thoughts this movie sparks.
Here are some more takeaways that the Netflix movie, 'Spaceman,' evoked in me.
1. The Scary Spider Became Relatable
I’ve befriended other beings with unique bodies, dogs for example.
In “Spaceman”, I did think about the spider character, Hanuš, as similar to a dog because he becomes a companion.
His initial presence is that of a monster because he is abruptly present on the ship with Adam Sandler’s character, Jakub.
The transformation from monster to companion is one of the strong points of the movie, which certainly is not a perfect movie. It is very flawed, but it was commendable in my opinion.
2. Floating in Space Alone is Like Dementia
I anticipated from the trailer that this movie would explore themes of loneliness.
Seeing Jakub isolated in space, farther than anyone before, reminded me of my grandma, who suffers from dementia.
The parallels between Jakub's isolation and the challenges he faces, and my grandma's experience struck me deeply.
My grandma's condition has been on my mind a lot lately, which may have influenced my connection to the movie.
Both Jakub and my grandma are struggling with losing control, directed by forces beyond their understanding, which is terrifying to me.
Despite my love for Adam Sandler movies, especially his dramatic roles, the heavy subject matter of this film conflicted with my desire to watch it sooner.
It took me a month to finally dive in, torn between my fascination with the story and my fear of its themes.
3. Hanuš and Jakub Make the Movie
The film's greatest achievement lies in the meaningful connection between Hanuš, the spider alien, and Jakub, portrayed by Adam Sandler.
For the reasons mentioned all throughout this article, I was suprised to find myself emotionally invested in the Hanuš character.
I want to highlight this point because I believe some flaws in the film stem from its focus on Hanuš and Jakub's relationship, leaving little time for building the surrounding world or exploring Jakub’s life back home.
It seems the decision was made to trim these storylines and context to keep the film at a manageable length, which, although understandable, left me wanting more depth.
Overall, the movie defied my expectations of being dark and depressing, delivering numerous uplifting moments.
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