Constellation: Review
By Sioph LealCreated by Peter Harness, Constellation follows astronaut Jo (Noomi Rapace) returning to Earth after a disaster in space but discovering key pieces and moments from her life seem to be missing. Jo tries to recover what was lost to her and the hidden truth of space travel in an action-packed and visually stunning series.
There are many streams available, but where Apple TV+ proves its worth is in science fiction, showing the variety of the genre with iconic and illustrious stories and visuals that make their mark on the genre. In the past, the streamer has made remarkable examples of the genre, with For All Mankind, Foundation, Severance, and Constellation being no different.
While the basic premise has been done before in both TV and film, there are twists and turns paired with impeccable performances that make you eager for the next episodes, and thankfully, the first three premiere together. In those episodes, Jo is desperate to get back to Earth to reunite with her husband Magnus (James D’Arcy) and their daughter, Alice (Davina and Rosie Coleman), who both have no idea what is going on. Constellation is a character-driven story, and that is where the strengths truly lie, with Jo and Alice as the central point and grounding force of the series.
Jo and Alice are the most compelling of the series, as Jo struggles with reality and the trauma of what happened on her mission. Together, they discover each other in the background of a thrilling psychological drama. There is some discovery between them that creates some of the most emotionally gripping scenes and a great dynamic in the series.
Like other science fiction shows in its repertoire, this Apple TV series is much less about an exploration of space but a masterful cumulation of many things. It can come across like a ghost story or a space opera, but it is still clearly sci-fi with an almost perfect execution, besides some pacing issues. It dives deep into the psychology of the astronauts and the secrets of their world, but with a deep character-driven approach, you will feel Jo’s isolation in space, and when she returns home, she questions her reality.
The differing viewpoints help shape the psychological aspect of the series, especially when combined with a flawless cast that delivers excellent performances throughout. The alternative viewpoints and timelines of the narrative can be confusing and disorienting, but given the theme and the psychological elements, it is a smart choice that can confuse and intrigue.
Constellation is a masterful psychological thriller and science fiction with a character-driven approach and clever narrative approaches that are disorienting yet enthralling. It is another great example of how Apple TV has mastered science fiction and showcased a compelling cast that ground the series to make it a thrilling ride.
Constellation launches 21st February on Apple TV