The Martian

A closer look at the story

On a crewed mission to Mars, a violent storm leads the crew to believe astronaut Mark Watney has been killed, and they leave without him. Watney, however, is alive, and finds himself on a hostile world with limited supplies and nobody else. To survive he must rely on his knowledge, resourcefulness and sense of humour, while working out how to let Earth know he is still alive. Once word gets through, scientists and his crewmates alike start working to bring him home. Adapted by Drew Goddard from Andy Weir's novel and directed by Ridley Scott, the 141-minute 2015 film stars Matt Damon, Jessica Chastain, Jeff Daniels and Michael Peña in a science-fiction drama.