[30] Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "B-" on an A+ to F scale, while those surveyed at PostTrak gave it an average 2.5 out of 5 stars, with 40% saying they would definitely recommend it. [18] James Gray consulted with experimental film scholars Gregory Zinman and Leo Goldsmith for inspiration on the visuals. While sequestered, Roy is visited by Lantos, who reveals that both her parents were Lima Project team members. Tanner dies from his injuries, but Roy shows little emotion. Clifford responds though Roy is prevented from hearing the message. The data retrieved from the Lima Project base suggest that humans are the only intelligent life in the galaxy. Roy assumes command and calmly lands the ship after the co-pilot is overcome with fear. "[32] Similarly, Xan Brooks of The Guardian gave the film five out of five stars, called it a "superb space-opera", and praised Pitt's performance, saying, "Pitt embodies McBride with a series of deft gestures and a minimum of fuss. The two decide that Roy should confront Clifford, and Lantos helps Roy access the rocket launch site. Gray also confirmed that filming for Ad Astra would commence on July 17, 2017.

It went on to debut to $19 million, finishing second behind Downton Abbey. After receiving no response from their first message, the crew sends another, during which Roy goes off-script with an emotional appeal to his father. Nothing has been heard from the Lima crew since reaching Neptune 16 years ago. "[31] David Ehrlich of IndieWire gave the film an "A" and said, "Ad Astra is one of the most ruminative, withdrawn, and curiously optimistic space epics this side of Solaris. [36] Adam Graham writing for The Detroit News found problems with the film, giving it a "C" rating: "This is slow, obtuse filmmaking with little emotional connection. We then get to know Major Roy McBride, who is working on the International Space Antenna. Starring Brad Pitt, Tommy Lee Jones, Ruth Negga, Liv Tyler, and Donald Sutherland, it follows an astronaut who ventures into space in search of his lost father, whose experiment threatens the solar system. The website's critical consensus reads, "Ad Astra takes a visually thrilling journey through the vast reaches of space while charting an ambitious course for the heart of the bond between parent and child. It was previously scheduled for January 11, 2019, and then for May 24 before being pushed back.

Roy and Pruitt make it to the base, but Pruitt suffers cardiac problems and remains behind. [5] However, the film was a box office bomb, grossing $135 million worldwide against an $80–100 million budget. Ad Astra DVD and Blu-ray release date was set for December 17, 2019 and available on Digital HD from Amazon Video and iTunes on December 3, 2019.

Ad Astra premiered at the Venice Film Festival on August 29, 2019, and was theatrically released in the United States on September 20, 2019 by 20th Century Fox. Roy enters the station via a spacewalk while the shuttle drifts away. Another surge hits as the Cepheus is attempting to land on Mars. Director James Gray first confirmed his plans to write and direct Ad Astra on May 12, 2016 during the 2016 Cannes Film Festival. [26] The opening was compared to First Man (2018), another drama involving outer space which received high praise from critics but a lukewarm audience reception, resulting in a muted box office turnout despite its cast and budget. Roy's demand to hear the response is ignored, and he is summarily removed to a "comfort room.". [9] In August, Ruth Negga, John Finn, and Donald Sutherland joined the cast.