The Space Between Us

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The Space Between Us

PG-13

Released Feb 3, 2017

2h 0m

Adventure

Romance

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

17%

Tomatometer

136 Reviews

55%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

Gardner Elliot, the first human born on Mars, begins an online friendship with Tulsa, a teen in Colorado. On his maiden voyage to Earth, the 16-year-old finally gets to experience all the joys and wonders of a world he could only read about. Problems arise when scientists discover that Gardner's organs can't withstand the atmosphere. United with Tulsa and on the run, the interplanetary visitor races against time to unravel the mysteries of how he came to be, and where he belongs in the universe.

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Critics Consensus

The Space Between Us strands its star-crossed young lovers in a mind-numbingly vast expanse of shameless cheese that will send all but the most forgiving viewers eye-rolling for the exits.

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Jonathan Pile

Empire Magazine

An interesting premise fails to ignite amid an underwritten central romance and some clichéd plotting. An often eye-rolling ride.

Feb 12, 2017

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Kevin Maher

The Times (UK)

It manages, nonetheless, to shrink all narrative possibilities down into a bitty best-of compilation that's notable only for some horrendously bad science and a career-low performance from Gary Oldman.

Rated: 2/5

Feb 9, 2017

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Peter Bradshaw

Guardian

It's a wan, anaemic film.

Rated: 1/5

Feb 9, 2017

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Don Shanahan

Every Movie Has a Lesson

For as much as there is a place for the heady and heavy in science fiction, there should be room for the simple as sweet too.

Rated: 3/5

Jul 31, 2025

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Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

A teen flick that registers less as "YA" and more as "why bother."

Rated: 1.5/4

Aug 17, 2021

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Richard Crouse

Richard Crouse

Has some good moments but in its attempt to be all things clutters up a story that would have been better served by streamlining the story and tone.

Rated: 2/5

Mar 4, 2021

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Liza M

Interesting premise but a cliched script and a total cheese-fest. And Asa’s nothing like as good as he is in Sex Education, unfortunately. For a second, I didn’t recognise Gary Oldman in it!

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

08/15/25

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Matteo G

You cannot start a movie with so many scientific and engineering premises to then go completely wild in the total impossible fiction...and for the rest just a cliché love story

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

06/04/25

Full Review

Tony I

The critics typical of them are out of sync with the audience, you know, us. While this is more of a romance than it is Sci fi and granted had some holes in the plot like communicating in real time between planets and showing tech that didn’t exist in the time it was set in (I don’t get why the movie isn’t set more the future which would have made more sense) it’s a lovely movie. There is also very clever foreshadowing throughout. If you don’t mind the mixture of genres it’s a fun ride. It’s well acted and fun and the critics need to lighten up and just go for the ride instead of picking it apart.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

05/15/25

Full Review

Ben H

It feels like a teenage chick flick that clicks more with middle aged nerds. There's some cringe that probably lands differently for the younger generation. If it had been made before MCU and the 'billion dollars a movie' era I don't think the critics would have been so harsh. You'd have to be blind and deaf to not see the 'twist' coming from the beginning, but it's a good popcorn flick. The idea of actual interplanetary colonization and the impact on society, people, and relationships is worth exploring. This was a decent attempt.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

05/01/25

Full Review

Tati R

If you're looking for a sci Fi movie this is not what you want to watch. Yes it's lacking on the science end of things. If you're looking for a good romance movie though this one is a must watch!! Just enjoy it and don't think too deep into it. The plot is really good, a bit over the top, a bit cheesy, but it will make you laugh, it will bring you to tears, and it is now one of my favorite romance movies. The acting was really good for the most part. You truly do feel the main characters are in love. Don't listen to the critics and science nerds this movie wasn't made for them :)

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

04/22/25

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Anastasia Z

A very boring movie.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

12/02/24

Full Review

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Peter Chelsom

Director

Gary Oldman

Nathaniel Shepherd

Asa Butterfield

Gardner Elliot

Carla Gugino

Kendra Wyndham

Britt Robertson

Tulsa

BD Wong

Tom Chen

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The Space Between Us: Trailer 3

1:03

The Space Between Us: Trailer 2

2:25

The Space Between Us: Trailer 1

3:10

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Synopsis

Gardner Elliot, the first human born on Mars, begins an online friendship with Tulsa, a teen in Colorado. On his maiden voyage to Earth, the 16-year-old finally gets to experience all the joys and wonders of a world he could only read about. Problems arise when scientists discover that Gardner's organs can't withstand the atmosphere. United with Tulsa and on the run, the interplanetary visitor races against time to unravel the mysteries of how he came to be, and where he belongs in the universe.

Director: Peter Chelsom
Screenwriter: Allan Loeb
Distributor: STX Entertainment
Production Co: Southpaw Entertainment, Los Angeles Media Fund, Huayi Brothers
Rating: PG-13 (Language|Brief Sensuality)
Genre: Adventure, Romance
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Feb 3, 2017, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): May 2, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $7.8M
Runtime: 2h 0m
Aspect Ratio: Scope (2.35:1)

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