Synopsis

Near the end of a three-year contract mining helium-3 on the far side of the Moon, isolated astronaut Sam Bell is eager to return to Earth. His only companion is the station computer, GERTY. After an accident during a routine mission, Sam makes a disturbing discovery that challenges his understanding of the base, his assignment, and his own identity.

Factoids & Trivia

• The screenplay was written specifically for Sam Rockwell after he expressed interest in playing the kind of blue-collar science fiction character seen in films such as Alien, Outland, and Silent Running.

• Made for approximately $5 million, the film was shot in 33 days at Shepperton Studios in England. The production used the same soundstage associated with Alien.

• The lunar base was built as a 360-degree set, allowing the camera to move freely through the environment rather than relying mainly on separate standing sets.

• The Moon's exterior sequences were created with practical miniatures and supplemented with digital effects where necessary. The miniature photography took about eight days.

• GERTY's voice was recorded by Kevin Spacey after he saw a completed version of the film. His recording session reportedly took only half a day.

• The film received the 2010 BAFTA for Outstanding Debut by a British Writer, Director or Producer and won the Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation, Long Form.

• Several set pieces from an abandoned film based on the television series Red Dwarf were reused to help keep production costs under control.