Jakub’s fate remains open to interpretation by the time the story winds down. Directed by Johan Renck—who previously handled projects like Chernobyl (2019), Breaking Bad (2009–2011), The Walking Dead (2010), Vikings (2013), and Bloodline (2015)—Spaceman brings a strange but emotional experience.
Even though Renck has a history of strong visual storytelling, this film attracted a mixed reception right from its debut, scoring just 50% on Rotten Tomatoes. Adam Sandler takes up the lead role with the same dramatic flair he displayed in Uncut Gems, Punch-Drunk Love, and Hustle.
Silence in space breaks with a spider’s strange wisdom (Photo: Spaceman/Netflix, with Free Association, Stillking Films, and Tango Entertainment (III))His character, Jakub, receives a heartbreaking message from his wife, Lenka—played by Academy Award nominee Carey Mulligan—just halfway into an 8-month solo space mission. Lenka wants a divorce, and this weighs heavily on Jakub.
His assignment is to gather data from a rare and visually striking cosmic formation called the Chopra Cloud, which suddenly appears in the Earth’s skies.
The loneliness he feels deepens, but things begin to change when he comes in contact with an intelligent alien spider-like creature named Hanuš, voiced by Paul Dano, who offers him emotional support.
What Takes Place at the Climax of Spaceman
Jakub and Lenka Reconnect Despite the Great Distance
When Jakub reaches the Chopra Cloud, he gets ready to collect samples of its pink and purple particles. Commissioner Tuma, played by Isabella Rossellini, hosts a globally broadcast event showing pre-recorded footage of Jakub’s message to the public before he enters the cloud.
As he begins the task, Hanuš suddenly appears again, now releasing small mites called Gorompeds. He exits the ship, and Jakub suits up to follow him, using a product called Bomba to attempt cleansing Hanuš, though it doesn’t work.
Floating inside the cloud with Hanuš, Jakub seems to experience key moments from his life all at once. Hanuš refers to the cloud as “The Beginning,” and Jakub reflects deeply on how he and Lenka met and why they were meant to find each other.
This reflection rekindles his love for her. Before Hanuš is consumed by the Gorompeds and dissolves into cosmic dust, he tells Jakub his journey both starts and ends there. Later, Jakub appears back on Earth in a forest with Rusalka, part of what seems to be a dream, where he and Lenka are once again emotionally connected.
Is Jakub Rescued and Brought Back to Earth?
Hints Suggest the Spaceman Made It Back
The film does not directly show Jakub returning to Earth, but it strongly suggests he survives. He is seen onboard a Korean spaceship after passing through the Chopra Cloud. From there, he manages to call Lenka and seems safe, possibly heading home.
Whether the Korean crew intends to return him to his spacecraft or take him back to Earth remains unknown, but they are preparing to study the cloud as well. A scene showing Jakub and Lenka reuniting might not be literal—it could be part of his dream state.
The Deeper Meaning Behind Lenka’s Final Question
Their Relationship Still Has a Chance
In the closing part of the film, Jakub asks Lenka if she would still kiss him, echoing their early relationship. This question links to the start of their love story, hinting at a possible restart. Lenka recalls how much that kiss once meant to her, and her answer shows she may be open to reconciliation.
That moment leaves hope that Jakub, once he returns, will still have the opportunity to rebuild their marriage.
Understanding the Rusalka Forest Scene
Lenka is a Symbol of Balance Between Love and Career
In the forest sequence where Jakub encounters Lenka dressed like a princess, the scene reflects how he truly sees her. Earlier, he had told Hanuš that Lenka reminded him of a magical being—a Rusalka—capable of bringing ruin with a kiss.
When he says he wants that kiss, and she warns it would destroy him, it’s a metaphor. Her kiss represents Jakub having to give up space travel—the very thing that caused distance in their relationship. Accepting her kiss means Jakub is ready to let go of his career to prioritize his home and marriage.
What Happened to Hanuš in the Chopra Cloud
His Exit Adds to His Mysterious Identity
The film leaves it uncertain whether Hanuš is a living alien or just a product of Jakub’s stressed mind. Despite this, the account Hanuš gives about the Gorompeds seems accurate and proves fatal.
Through his time with Jakub, Hanuš gains a better understanding of humans, which brings him peace before the mites eventually consume him. His body breaks apart into dust, becoming one with the cloud. Jakub, on the other hand, survives with a new appreciation for Lenka and life.
The Reality Behind Hanuš
Director Johan Renck Offers Clarification
The film avoids giving a clear answer about Hanuš’s existence. He might have been real or simply an aspect of Jakub’s psyche. However, director Johan Renck, in a conversation with Netflix’s TUDUM, confirmed that Hanuš is indeed a real being.
Renck described him as an ancient cosmic figure who visits Jakub. He added that such beings have appeared in other sci-fi stories, but his team wanted a different approach: “He’s from the dawn of time and reaches out to Jakub. We are not alone. Creatures like Hanuš exist.
Even though he’s appeared in other stories, we weren’t aiming to replicate them here.” Even though the filmmaker gives this explanation, the film itself keeps the matter open to interpretation. So, viewers may still believe the spider was just a figment of Jakub’s mind.
Public Reaction to the Ending
One astronaut one heartbreak one unexpected friend (Photo: Spaceman/Netflix, with Free Association, Stillking Films, and Tango Entertainment (III))Opinions Were Divided on How the Story Closed
Reactions to the movie were very mixed, reflected in its 50% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. This same split applies to how people felt about the ending. Some appreciated the emotional weight and vague storytelling that leaned more on inner journeys than hard science fiction.
Others, however, didn’t connect with Jakub and Lenka’s intergalactic love story. Peter Bradshaw of The Guardian was among those who responded negatively. For him, the way Lenka was written made the ending fall flat. He argued that her character lacked development, so the rekindling of love didn’t feel believable:
“Lenka’s role lacks depth; it’s hard to see why she loved Jakub, or why she left him, or why she’s suddenly warming up to him again like some cosmic twist. It feels like they’re heading nowhere.” On the other hand, Empire magazine gave the film four stars.
Though they also pointed out issues with Lenka’s character, they saw the conclusion differently: “Despite Jakub being difficult at times, Sandler’s performance adds humanity. Mulligan’s portrayal brings depth to Lenka even though the writing doesn’t give her much room.
Flashbacks and Earth scenes help show what led to their emotional drift. Though their relationship was strained by distance, the ending feels like it was deserved.” So, opinions about Spaceman remain strongly divided.
Some found the resolution emotionally satisfying, while others thought the abstract nature of the film weakened its closure.
What the Ending Truly Represents
Spaceman’s Message Is About Balancing Career With Personal Life
The conclusion bypasses some logical details just to bring Jakub and Lenka back together emotionally. Even though Jakub disregards his mission responsibilities, all that matters to him is returning home and being the husband and father he had failed to be.
This marks a change from his earlier self-centered pursuit of success to someone who prioritizes love and family. The thoughtful mood at the end of Spaceman is guided by the reflective conversations with Hanuš.
Whether real or imagined, Hanuš disappears, and Jakub emerges changed, even if his standing as an astronaut is probably lost. The Chopra Cloud itself remains largely unexplained, except for Hanuš’s view of it as a representation of both beginnings and endings.
The film brings Jakub and Lenka together once more, presenting them as lovers whose paths were always meant to reconnect.
