Adam Sandler’s “strange” new Netflix movie divides fans

Adam Sandler takes on a role and storyline that has fans intrigued but confused if it’s worth the watch as Spaceman deviates from his normal style of projects.

The actor is known for his comedic hits like Billy Madison, The Wedding Singer, Grown Ups, and more dynamic roles like Uncut Gems. His recent Netflix movies like the animated musical Leo gained praise and news of a possible sequel. Not to mention starring in You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah with his daughters.

His recent movie Spaceman takes Sandler into new territory with a storyline about love, self-discovery, and sci-fi. He stars as a Russian astronaut Jakub Procházka who has been in space for six months. Nearing the end, he worries about his marriage and seeks help from a spider that snuck on board.

Spaceman is not your typical Adam Sandler movie and has fans divided on how to feel about its storyline.

Spaceman gets mixed reactions

The Netflix movie is more about a journey of self-realization and self-reflection than Sandler’s often-seen comedic take. The character of Jakub worries that when he arrives on Earth his pregnant wife will have left him. It becomes a key aspect of the movie, and why Jakub manifests someone to talk to in the first place. It happens to be in the form of an extraterrestrial spider called Hanuš.

On Reddit, some fans were divided on whether the movie was worth watching or too left field from what they’re used to from the actor.

“So I was watching Netflix’s Spaceman, starring Adam Sandler, and it felt quite boring, although I like watching Sandler’s movies, however, this one is something that I was not able to watch, I gathered all the energy and watched it for almost 30-45 minutes, but was not able to finish it. All I want to know is if should I go back and watch the whole movie or if there is no need to finish it,” said the Reddit user.

One user made it clear that Spaceman wasn’t meant to be an “Adam Sandler” movie.

“This movie isn’t really your typical Adam Sandler movie. So it doesn’t really matter if you like Adam Sandler and cause it’s not like any other movie he’s ever done from what I recall,” they said.

“Its jcie to see him doing something different, not just a comedy movie I did find it slow at parts, but I still watched to the end and I’m happy I did. I can definitely see why some people wouldn’t like it.”

It’s not space opera. It’s about strange companions and human problems. So Star Wars, it ain’t,” agreed one fan.

Another said, “I really didn’t understand it at all and felt I was pushing myself to watch it.”

But some genuinely enjoyed the movie, with one saying, “I started out thinking it was a weak rip of Project Hail Mary. But after finishing and thinking about it, it’s stayed with me as a non-plot focused portrait of loneliness and connection.”

Others agreed the movie isn’t sci-fi, but more of a psychological movie that explored Jakub’s mindset and emotions. Many praised Sandler’s acting and for its sake of being different. Per our review, Spaceman is a “solaris riff” to give a chance.