Jaw-Dropping Twist Revealed: Solaris Ending Unveiled!

The 2002 version of Solaris, a remake of the 1972 sci-fi film, features George Clooney in the role of Dr. Chris Kelvin, a psychologist who embarks on a journey to aid a stranded crew on a distant planet. Unaware of the unforeseen events that lie ahead, the movie takes an unexpected turn. Despite the presence of a renowned actor like Clooney, the Solaris remake generated only $30 million at the box office and received a 66% rating on the Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer, accompanied by a 59% Audience Score.

Both the original Solaris movie and its remake share similar narratives, deviating significantly from the novel published in 1961. Curious about the events that unfold in Solaris and its concluding moments?

What Is Solaris About?

Solaris revolves around Dr. Chris Kelvin, played by George Clooney, who makes a distressing discovery: there are no remaining crew members on the mission bound for the Solaris planet. Tragically, Gibarian (Ulrich Tucker) has ended his life, and the rest of the crew is mysteriously absent. Kelvin's reality takes a horrifying turn when he dreams of his deceased wife, Rheya (Natascha McElhone), and then encounters her on the space shuttle. Unlike some sci-fi remakes that pale in comparison to the original, the Solaris remake effectively delivers the same poignant narrative as its predecessor.

What Happens At The End Of Solaris?

It becomes evident to Kelvin that if someone on board the shuttle had experienced the loss of a loved one, that individual is now present. While Kelvin initially feels joy and curiosity upon seeing his wife Rheya, he soon recognizes her as distant and indifferent. He acknowledges that no matter how appealing this opportunity may appear, he will never be able to regain his wife. George Clooney's portrayal of Batman and his diverse range of characters demonstrate his versatility as an actor, and it is enjoyable to witness him in an emotionally engaging film that also features a fast-paced storyline.

The ending of Solaris is clever and offers resolution to key questions. Snow, portrayed by Jeremy Davies, is revealed to be a replica while the original Snow was killed during their confrontation. Returning to Earth is no longer possible due to severe damage to an essential part of the spacecraft. Consequently, Kelvin and Gordon understand they must depart, constructing a small vessel named Athena to facilitate their journey back home.

The conclusion of Solaris can be interpreted as a bleak conclusion to a sci-fi film or viewed as a heartwarming outcome, aligning perfectly with Kelvin's desires. Kelvin finds himself back at his residence, reflecting on Rheya. However, he inadvertently discovers that he has remained in space after sustaining an injury and instantly healing from it. With the shuttle destroyed, Kelvin is now able to indefinitely stay with his deceased wife, Rheya.

Did George Clooney Star In Other Sci-Fi Movies?

How Does The Solaris Ending Compare To The Book?

: George Clooney's filmography includes various sci-fi movies, one of which is the 2013 film Gravity, where he starred alongside Sandra Bullock. Bullock, who has been in several underrated movies, played the role of Dr. Ryan Stone while Clooney portrayed Lieutenant Matt Kowalski. Together, they embark on a space mission. Another sci-fi role Clooney took on was Frank Walker in the 2015 movie Tomorrowland and Augustine in the 2020 Netflix film The Midnight Sky. Among these, Gravity stands out as the most similar to Solaris as both films featured Clooney in the role of an intelligent character exploring space.

Stanisław Lem authored the 1961 novel Solaris, depicting scientists embarking on a journey to the planet Solaris. This intriguing celestial body houses a perplexing ocean that is responsible for peculiar occurrences. Notably, the novel encompasses extraterrestrial beings, although they do not take center stage in the 1972 and 2002 film adaptations.

In the realm of science fiction, numerous novels have received lackluster adaptations. However, the 1972 version of the Solaris film is widely regarded as an intelligent rendering. Conversely, the 2002 remake pales in comparison in terms of popularity. Nevertheless, both movies present a thought-provoking portrayal of an uncharted planet and the enchanting phenomena that unfold in its midst.

Is The Ending Different In The Original Solaris Movie?

In the 1972 Solaris film, Kelvin (played by Donatas Banionis) confronts a difficult decision: whether to return to Earth or stay in space. The original film's ending diverges significantly from that of the 2002 Solaris remake. In the original version, Kelvin finds himself in his childhood home, embracing his father. However, it gradually becomes apparent that both Kelvin and his father exist within the vast ocean of Solaris.

Both the original Solaris film and the remake featuring George Clooney present a distinctive and unconventional portrayal of outer space, rather than focusing on benevolent extraterrestrial beings. In both cases, the characters encounter apparitions of their deceased partners and family members on the Solaris planet. Although initially unsettling, they eventually come to accept and appreciate this second chance with their beloved individuals, who hold great significance in their lives.