Several months have passed since “Interstellar” was first released on the big screen and, like with many other Christopher Nolan films, fans are still attempting to dig deep into the film’s themes and messages. Regardless of how you personally feel about the sci-fi epic, it’s obvious the filmmaker put a lot of thought into making this movie. So, you can’t blame anyone for wanting to gain more insight into what Nolan’s intentions were. That’s what YouTubers Grant Voegtle and SolePorpoise tried to do in the video below, a 26-minute analysis that dives into several different aspects of the film, including its usage of religious symbolism and its views on humanity and artificial intelligence.
The essay points out several occasions where Nolan makes allusions to the Bible, whether it’s the story of Lazarus or of Jesus and his apostles. With “Interstellar,” it’s Nolan’s intention to combine supernatural elements with natural occurrences while attempting to ask this question: “what is our place in this universe?” This question is especially heightened when it comes to the subject of artificial intelligence. The video essay highlights specific moments where Nolan appears cynical of the idea that AI will one day supersede humans and leave us all behind.
In the analysis, the essayists also shed light on the connections between “Interstellar” and Joseph Conrad’s "Heart of Darkness." Not only does a character actually mention the book at one point, but it’s made pretty clear that Cooper is traveling a similar path once taken by Charles Marlow, exemplified by his encounter with Dr. Mann who bares many similarities to Mr. Kurtz. The video makes a very interesting comparison between the mindset of the world at the turn of the 20th century and how closely it resembles our current fears about the future, which “Interstellar” explores.
Even if you felt there was really nothing all that ambiguous about “Interstellar,” the video essay still contains many insights that will fascinate you. Check it out below.