pple Original’s latest series, Constellation, is a dazzling and ambitious space thriller that has left viewers both awestruck and divided. With a star-studded cast, breathtaking cinematography and a plot that weaves together elements of mystery, science fiction and drama, this series is a must-watch for fans of the genre, even if it doesn’t always hit the intended marks.

Constellation begins with a video call between lead actor Noomi Rapace, Jo, and her daughter, Alice, the role divided between sisters Davina and Rosie Coleman. The opening shot is set in Sweden where Jo is driving her daughter to an abandoned woodland cabin in the middle of a snowstorm. Returning to current time, the International Space Station is functioning normally until it is hit by a dead USSR cosmonaut who crashes into the ISS’s critical units causing significant damage and forcing its inhabitants to evacuate.

Astronaut Paul had been working on installing the data core to the ISS. However, six seconds into running the accident stopped the project. Paul died due to his arm being stuck between two parts of the station upon impact resulting in loss of blood. When the residents of this little home in space realise they cannot stay aboard – a life or death decision is taken by Jo who sends the rest of the crew home while volunteering to stay back and fix the broken second capsule, retrieving her dead colleague’s body in the process.

With only 19 hours of oxygen, Jo races to make a hasty departure from the now useless ISS. On ground, her senior, Henry, insists that she bring him the data core as “…it could change everything.” Just as Jo is ready to take out the other Soyuz MS, she faces a problem only repairable from the outside of the evacuation capsule. However, she sees the shadow of a figure and the problem is resolved before she has a chance to step out. Jo lands back safely but everything on Earth is different from when she had left it. This leads to a battle with herself to determine whether she’s going insane.

Forced to take lithium tablets by Irena, riddled with vivid flashbacks and unable to figure out how she is related, yet unrelated, to her own flesh and blood, Jo’s character development leaves the audience on edge.

The constant running in the circles leaves only the most alert of viewers to figure out how the story unravels and unfolds. The conduction of the plot jumping between Jo, Alice and the northern Sweden cabins, Paul, Jo, ISS and CAL and Jo, Magnus, Henry and Irena all running around in separate yet linked circles altering one another’s reality leaves the brain numbed.

Forced to take lithium tablets by Irena, riddled with vivid flashbacks and unable to figure out how she is related, yet unrelated, to her own flesh and blood, Jo’s character development leaves the audience on edge.

The series boasts an impressive ensemble cast led by Noomi , who delivers a compelling performance as the mission’s determined yet conflicted captain. Henry shines as the team’s enigmatic head, whose hidden motives add layers of intrigue to the story. Paul, Bud, Magnus, Alice and Irena, bring depth and authenticity to their roles, making the viewer care about their fates as they face increasingly dire situations.

One of the standout features of the series is its cinematography. The visual effects are spectacular, with the vastness of space rendered in stunning detail. The snowstorm, details of the paintings in the cabin, the flying of blood drops as Paul succumbs to his wounds and the body in an orange suit starkly pulling attention away from the space to the problem at hand on the ISS are amazing. The scenes set inside the spacecraft are claustrophobic and tense, contrasting sharply with the awe-inspiring beauty of the cosmos outside. The series makes excellent use of lighting and camera angles to heighten the suspense, drawing viewers into the eerie and isolating atmosphere of space to the vast emptiness and coldness of the North Pole.

Constellation excels in creating a sense of wonder and dread, its mysterious plot keeping viewers on the edge of their seats. Character development is another strong point, with each crew member having a distinct personality and back story that adds emotional depth to the series. The series also tackles philosophical questions about humanity’s place in the universe and the concept of time alteration and multiverses, adding a layer of intellectual engagement to the thrill ride.

However, the series is not without its blemishes. The pacing might be inconsistent at times as some episodes drag on and others feel hurried. The plot’s intricacy, although exciting, may often be perplexing and require intense focus, particularly when the series goes into abstract topics without providing any explanation. Some viewers may find the finale unpleasant since it prefers ambiguity over closure.

Constellation is a visually spectacular and thought-provoking series that should appeal to fans of science fiction and psychological drama. Its ambitious plot and intriguing performances make it worth watching. Whether you’re lured in by the secrets of the universe, the complexity of human nature or the multiverse, Constellation is an engrossing voyage that will keep you thinking long after the credits roll.

The contributor has graduated in psychology with a minor in mass communication. She can be reached at ukmaryam2@gmail.com