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5 Things ‘Moonshot’ Gets Right about Modern Love

The new Amazon Prime Video film starring Lana Condor and Cole Sprouse is a riveting watch that reflects on romance and choice

Apr 08, 2022

Cole Sprouse and Lana Condor in Amazon Prime Video's 'Moonshot.' Photo: Amazon Prime Video

Ah, love. It’s messy whether you’re experiencing it on Earth or in Space. Lucky for us humans, billions of years of evolution has imparted us with some pretty nifty learnings about love and relationships. The new Amazon Prime Video rom-com Moonshot, starring Lana Condor and Cole Sprouse, underlines these tips in a fun and accessible way. Following two college students and their illegal excursion onboard a space shuttle to Mars, Moonshot is a feel-good film about human ties, the effect of corporations and choice. Here are five things we picked up about modern love from director Christopher Winterbauer sci-fi feature Moonshot:

1) Technology is your best friend

It’s impossible to escape technology. From survival to entertainment to innovation, technology is an integral part of human functioning. In relationships, technology aids people in forming, developing, maintaining and sustaining connections. Whether you’re Walt and Sophie from Moonshot who are trying to nurture a long-distance relationship (one party is on Earth and the other is on Mars!) or you’re just a regular Joe striking out on dating apps, technology is inevitably and irrevocably your new BFF. Use it to your advantage!

2) Love is an adventure

Yes, love is a four-letter word but beyond that, it’s a roller coaster ride; it’s an adventure. In Moonshot, love is quite literally a space excursion being braved by Walt and Sophie who are journeying toward their respective partners. Equal parts daring and exciting, the adventurous side of love reveals Walt and Sophie to themselves; it encourages the collegiates to shoot for the stars. There’s no adventure too big or small for these two charming protagonists as they navigate the expansive new world of Space and Mars, and ultimately, love.

In ‘Moonshot,’ two college students sneak onboard a space shuttle from Earth to Mars in order to be united with their significant others.

3) Love is educational

No, love can’t be equated with going to school, but it’s damn well an educational institution for all entering its proverbial halls! Love brings two or more people together, encouraging them to share their space, knowledge, experiences and desires. Sophie teaches Walt about engineering, while Walt teaches Sophie about the power of dreams in Moonshot. It’s a heady combination for which we won’t write down the chemical equation, but the best relationships have the edge of education in them. So don’t be afraid to get your nerd on and flirt with your partner. You can impress them and learn as well along the way.

4) Love pushes you toward new experiences

The best lovers bring out a side of you you’ve never seen before. They encourage you to try new things that you’re comfortable with, to go for new experiences. It’s in these little and big endeavors that lies change. In Moonshot, Walt encourages Sophie to go on a spacewalk and Sophie pushes Walt to treat himself to a reality check about his destination. These are pivotal moments in the film that transform these characters and the storyline. New experiences birth evolved human beings and all good love encourages as well as welcomes the new.

‘Moonshot’ has a thing or two to teach people about modern love. Photo: Amazon Prime Video

5) The future is not a possibility but a plan

Love makes you think beyond the present, it ties you to another person/idea or more people/ideas across space and time. In Moonshot, Sophie plans for her future with Calvin as scientists and saviors of the world, while Walt plans for a future with his dream planet — Mars! Love emboldens human beings to envision, chase and fulfill their dreams. It’s a spaceship to a future of togetherness and love. It gets you to act on your life to arrive at a future that is bright, amazing and enriching. Don’t sleep on love’s plan!