Out of Blue: Patricia Clarkson stars in Carol Morley's Martin Amis adaptation

From Gravity to Arrival, the space film has had something of a re-launch in recent years. As Hollywood puts more of its stars amongst the stars, Out of Blue offers a more grounded type of science fiction.

Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Carol Morley (The Falling), Out of Blue is loosely based upon the Martin Amis’ novel ‘Night Train’. Patricia Clarkson stars as Mike Hoolihan, a detective investigating the death of astrophysicist and black hole expert Jennifer Rockwell (Mamie Gummer). As she delves deeper into the case, Hoolihan finds her gaze gradually turning upwards.

Having recently wowed us with supporting roles on the small screen in House of Cards and Sharp Objects, here, Clarkson is the lead. Similarly to Nicole Kidman in Destroyer, Clarkson occupies the role of grizzled detective that is usually reserved for male actors. Meanwhile, the supporting cast includes Oscar nominees Jacki Weaver and James Caan, as Rockwell’s parents.

Out of Blue has received a polarized response from critics so far, praised for its genre-mashing ambition, yet criticized for being overly obtuse. Mixing a whodunit murder mystery with metaphysical musings, Out of Blue may leave you scratching your head, but should prove pretty hard to get out of it, too.