Journey into the quiet void of space and the even deeper silence of the human heart with Ad Astra (2019) — a visually stunning and emotionally introspective sci-fi epic. Brad Pitt stars as Roy McBride, an astronaut on a mission that spans the solar system and forces him to confront his deepest fears, his past, and the father he thought he’d lost.
Think you remember every celestial stop, cosmic metaphor, and philosophical twist? Take this 10-question trivia quiz and see if you’ve got what it takes to face the void.
Ad Astra (2019) Trivia Questions & Answers
- Who plays the lead role of Roy McBride in Ad Astra (2019)?
Correct Answer: Brad Pitt
Brad Pitt stars as Roy McBride, delivering a restrained yet deeply emotional performance. His portrayal of a stoic astronaut masking internal pain earned praise for capturing the film’s introspective tone — blending outer space exploration with an inner journey.
- What is Roy McBride’s profession?
Correct Answer: Astronaut and engineer
Roy is an elite astronaut renowned for his calm demeanor and nearly perfect physiological control under stress. He’s also an accomplished engineer, tasked with navigating both the physical and psychological challenges of a mission across the solar system.
- What is the name of the mission Roy is sent on?
Correct Answer: To find the Lima Project
Roy is sent to track down the Lima Project — a decades-old space mission led by his father, which was designed to search for intelligent life. Now, the mission is believed to be the source of dangerous antimatter surges threatening Earth.
- Who was in charge of the original Lima Project mission?
Correct Answer: Roy’s father, Clifford McBride
Clifford McBride, played by Tommy Lee Jones, was a revered astronaut who disappeared on the Lima Project near Neptune. Roy’s mission is as much about investigating Clifford’s fate as it is about saving humanity — adding a layer of personal conflict and unresolved trauma.
- What is threatening Earth and prompting the mission?
Correct Answer: Power surges caused by antimatter
The film opens with a catastrophic power surge that causes systems across Earth to fail. These bursts are traced to the Lima Project near Neptune, where the unstable antimatter power source has gone rogue. The surges symbolize the destructive consequences of unchecked obsession.
- Where is the final destination of Roy’s journey?
Correct Answer: Neptune
Roy travels from Earth to the Moon, then Mars, and finally to Neptune — the last known location of the Lima Project. Neptune, being distant and cold, serves as a symbolic endpoint for Roy’s emotional isolation and the final confrontation with his father.
- What emotion is Roy often described as suppressing?
Correct Answer: Fear
Roy is trained to suppress all emotion, especially fear, to maintain control in extreme conditions. However, this emotional detachment becomes a central theme, as he learns that vulnerability and connection are essential to truly living — not just surviving.
- What is one of the film’s most central themes?
Correct Answer: Isolation and emotional distance
Ad Astra explores how emotional repression, father-son dynamics, and personal alienation can mirror the vast emptiness of space. Roy’s emotional awakening — and his realization that his father’s obsession came at a cost — is the emotional core of the film.
- What does Roy discover about his father near the end of the film?
Correct Answer: He never wanted to return to Earth
Clifford McBride had become consumed by his mission to find alien life, refusing to accept failure or return to Earth. He was willing to sacrifice his crew and even himself to prove his beliefs. Roy sees this as a cautionary tale of ambition detached from humanity.
- What does Roy choose to do after completing his mission?
Correct Answer: Reconnect with humanity and return to Earth
After witnessing his father’s downfall, Roy chooses a different path. He returns to Earth, recommitting himself to connection, purpose, and emotional honesty. The film ends with him reaching out — no longer lost in space, but grounded in himself and the world around him.
