Moonshot (2022)

Moonshot is the kind of rom-com that earns its lift-off by marrying a cozy, familiar heartbeat to a sleek sci-fi daydream: love, longing, and second chances, all framed by a future where Mars feels less like a gimmick and more like a place you’d actually want to visit. Christopher Winterbauer keeps the vibe light and buoyant, letting witty dialogue and playful world-building do the heavy lifting while the production design sells the glossy, aspirational “space-age” setting. Cole Sprouse and Lana Condor make an easy, likable pairing, with Condor in particular bringing warmth and clarity that keeps the movie grounded even when it’s floating among the stars. It won’t convert anyone who needs their science fiction hard-edged or their romance unpredictable, but if you’re on the fence and want something charming, good-looking, and gently funny, this is an easy ticket to board.

Moonshot is clearly aiming for a light, modern rom-com with a sci‑fi backdrop, using Mars as a shiny metaphor for ambition, class, and chasing the “better” life. The problem is it often plays like a fairly standard meet-cute road trip where the space setting feels more like wallpaper than a source of clever twists, so if you’re expecting imaginative world-building or sharp satire, you’ll likely be bored. The romance is pleasant but a bit mechanically plotted, with beats you can see coming long before the shuttle doors close, which makes the emotional lift feel smaller than it should. Still, Cole Sprouse and Lana Condor have enough charm to keep it watchable if you just want something breezy and low-stakes, but if you crave originality or real sparks, this probably isn’t your launch.