Chris Pratt’s 2016 sci-fi film Passengers is set to arrive on Hulu starting February 28, bringing renewed attention to this divisive space romance. This release offers fans a chance to revisit the movie that stars Pratt alongside Jennifer Lawrence, as they portray two travelers awakened prematurely on a long journey to a distant colony.
Plot and Premise of the Space Romance
Passengers follows Jim Preston (Chris Pratt) and Aurora Lane (Jennifer Lawrence) aboard a starship en route to a colony located 120 light-years from Earth. Both characters are supposed to be in hibernation for the 120-year voyage, but Jim’s pod malfunctions, waking him 90 years earlier than planned. After spending a lonely year awake, he makes a controversial decision to wake Aurora prematurely, disrupting her own planned voyage.
The film explores the unexpected circumstances and relationship that develops between Jim and Aurora as they navigate life on a ship millions of miles from Earth, struggling with isolation and survival challenges. Despite mixed critical reception, the chemistry between Pratt and Lawrence was widely recognized, and the movie achieved commercial success, grossing over $300 million worldwide.
Controversy Surrounding the Central Relationship
While Passengers is fundamentally a sci-fi romance, it has generated controversy due to its problematic narrative choices. Jim’s decision to awaken Aurora without her consent raises serious ethical questions that have been the focus of much debate since the film’s release.
The story reveals that Jim initially conceals the true reason for Aurora’s early awakening, misleading her into believing it was also caused by a malfunction. Once Aurora discovers Jim’s deception, her anger and feelings of violation come to the forefront. This moral dilemma complicates the romance and creates an uncomfortable undercurrent to their relationship, which persists throughout the film.
Later in the story, the pair learn of an available hibernation pod—allowing one person to potentially return to suspended animation. Aurora ultimately chooses to stay awake and with Jim, despite having the option to preserve her original life plan. This decision remains contentious to viewers who question the narrative’s handling of consent and autonomy.
Critical Reception and Award Nominations
The film’s reception was a mixed bag, with critics praising the performances of Pratt and Lawrence but often criticizing the story’s problematic themes. The movie’s impressive visual effects and production values were also highlighted, contributing to its box office success.
Passengers earned two Academy Award nominations, one for Best Original Score and another for Best Production Design, underscoring the high-quality craftsmanship behind its cinematic presentation. Despite the moral concerns surrounding the plot, the film retained a strong viewer base and significant commercial appeal.
Chris Pratt’s Recent Career and How Passengers Fits
Chris Pratt has experienced a varied reception in recent years, with voice roles in successful animated movies like The Super Mario Bros. Movie and The Garfield Movie, which both performed well at the box office. Conversely, some of his live-action projects like Netflix’s The Electric State and the film Mercy met with poor critical responses and disappointing financial returns.
In this context, Passengers stands as one of Pratt’s more successful major screen roles, despite its narrative controversies. Its streaming return on Hulu provides an opportunity to reassess the film a decade after its initial release and observe how contemporary audiences respond to its story themes.
What the Hulu Release Means for Passengers
The arrival of Passengers on Hulu ensures that this divisive sci-fi romance will find a fresh audience and reengage existing fans. This release may provoke renewed discussions about its treatment of consent within romantic storytelling, especially in a science fiction setting.
Given the ongoing debates around the film’s ethical quandaries and character decisions, viewers are likely to revisit the film with more critical eyes than before, especially as societal attitudes toward these issues continue to evolve. It also offers an occasion to appreciate the technical achievements and performances that made it a box office hit despite the controversy.
As Chris Pratt’s career navigates highs and lows, Passengers remains a notable highlight in his filmography, now accessible to stream via Hulu for those seeking to experience or reevaluate this complex and captivating sci-fi journey.
