A lot of things we’ve been anticipating this year have come through for us: the beginning of the fourth phase for the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the end of what seemed like an eternity in lockdown and a plethora of new releases that managed to finally make their way to our screens. While some have disappointed, one production that didn’t leave us reeling was Netflix’s Don’t Look Up. First teased way back 2019, the film has finally landed on go-to streaming service, with bouts of comedic commentary and fruitful satire in tow.

Featuring an all-star cast including the likes of Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Lawrence, Meryl Streep, Jonah Hill, Tyler Perry, Kid Cudi, Timotheé Chalamet and Ariana Grande, the two-hour film takes us through the lives of two low-level astronomers who must convince the world that an asteroid will wipe out life as they know it in the next several months. Banking on their Clinton-inspired president to take control of the situation, the two are quickly met with derision and disinterest from the leader of the free world and are instead left with rambling thoughts, exploitative talk show hosts and internet trending memes.

Now, while the film takes a comical approach to global warming and climate change, The Big Short director Adam McKay intricately knives out a realistic approach to what the world’s reaction would be to a global disaster – political disasters, cowardice and all. No matter how obscure and obscene the director paints the picture of pending doom, the reality that comes with watching the film is that it all could very well be scarily accurate. From the pom and flare of a non-sensical benefit in aims of preventing an inevitable event to the ultimate failings of a legislative force, McKay seamlessly tells the story of a catastrophic event while still staying true to his ridiculous and high concept narratives.

While the film takes us on a rollercoaster of emotions and turmoil, the final act steals the show as the cast finally comes to terms with the penultimate end of time. Finally showcasing aspects of human existence worth preserving, the likes of Melanie Lynskey and Timotheé Chalamet who take on smaller roles in the film, bringing a more natural feel to the whirlwind fiasco as they put on a more tender and heartfelt show. With the fear of having no answers and the unknown upon them, the cast quickly brings it down to a calmer level and inchoate anger and arguably more vulnerable conversations from the first two-thirds of the film are left behind. From DiCaprio and Streep’s particularly memorable performance to Hill’s unemotional and quick-witted one-liners, McKay’s latest feature films shout at us louder and clear: narcissism and society’s greed will be the end of us. And while this may be already known to some, hearing it again doesn’t hurt.

Wonderland Rating: 3/5