Solaris (2002 film)

Solaris is a 2002 American science fiction drama film written and directed by Steven Soderbergh, produced by James Cameron and Jon Landau, and starring George Clooney and Natascha McElhone. It is based on the 1961 novel of the same name by Polish author Stanisław Lem. The film is the third screen adaptation of the novel, following a 1968 Soviet television film and Andrei Tarkovsky’s critically acclaimed 1972 version. Soderbergh stated that his adaptation aimed to remain closer in spirit to Lem’s original work.

Set almost entirely aboard a space station orbiting the mysterious planet Solaris, the film explores themes of grief, memory, and identity through the experiences of Dr. Chris Kelvin, a psychologist sent to investigate unexplained phenomena on the station. The narrative incorporates flashbacks to Kelvin’s life on Earth, particularly his relationship with his deceased wife, as he confronts manifestations of his own memories and emotional past.

Solaris received generally favorable reviews from critics, who praised its philosophical tone, performances, and visual style, though some criticized its slow pacing. Despite the critical response, the film underperformed at the box office, grossing approximately $30 million worldwide against a production budget of $47 million.