The Wachowskis clearly have a type. If there is one thing the visionary directors love more than elaborate sci-fi jargon and gravity-defying boots, it’s the concept of using human beings as a literal cosmic resource.
If The Matrix taught us that humanity is nothing but a battery to power the machines, Jupiter Ascending takes that exact same premise and dresses it up in baroque, space-opera royalty. We are, once again, the universe’s most precious fuel.
Stunning Visuals, Wafer-Thin Plot
Let’s give credit where it’s due: this movie is undeniably scenic. Every single frame is overflowing with lush, opulent world-building and dazzling eye candy. But underneath all of that glorious spectacle? There really isn’t much in the way of an actual story.
The plot centers around the three bickering scions of the Abrasax family—a dynasty of essentially immortal space royals who seed planets with life purely to harvest the populations later. Enter Mila Kunis as Jupiter Jones, an ordinary earthling who just so happens to possess the exact genetic imprint of the previous Abrasax queen, throwing the cosmic line of succession into chaos.
It’s a fun, pulpy premise, but the narrative execution feels incredibly hollow, often relying on exposition dumps rather than genuine character development. (Also, on a completely random note: the actor playing Jupiter’s father is one of those incredibly familiar faces. It’s actually a bit jarring, because you end up spending half of his screen time distracted, racking your brain trying to figure out where you’ve seen him before instead of paying attention to the scene.)
Missing the Wachowski X-Factor
Don’t get me wrong, the movie absolutely delivers on action. There are plenty of high-octane set pieces, and some of the fight sequences are genuinely impressive—especially those chaotic dogfights above the Chicago skyline.
But it’s missing a signature hook. When The Matrix dropped, the “bullet time” camera techniques changed action cinema forever. Jupiter Ascending desperately lacks that revolutionary, groundbreaking element to make it stand out. Without a unique hook, it ultimately struggles to separate itself from a very crowded landscape of similar CGI-heavy sci-fi blockbusters.
The Verdict: Embrace the Camp
So, does it work? That entirely depends on your expectations.
If you are going in expecting a mind-bending, philosophical sci-fi masterpiece, you are going to be sorely disappointed. But if you embrace it for what it truly is—pure, unadulterated camp—you’ll probably have a good time.
It’s loud, it’s shiny, and it’s deeply flawed, but if you check your brain at the door and just enjoy the ride, it’s a surprisingly fun way to spend a couple of hours at the theater.