Ten years ago, astronaut Mark Watney was left for dead on Mars in "The Martian." Genius botanist Watney, brought to life with charm and grit by Matt Damon, had to rely on brains, resourcefulness and a wicked sense of humor to survive long enough for a NASA rescue. Every improvised potato crop, every jury-rigged system, and every quip he threw at the void of space turned a dire situation into a darkly funny survival story.
The film, directed by Ridley Scott, is an adaptation of Andy Weir’s 2015 bestselling novel. Scott is no stranger to sci-fi, as the visionary behind "Alien" and "Blade Runner." Yet with The Martian, he explored a new orbit: comedy. The result is a rare and triumphant blend of tension, science and humor, which was so successful it became the highest-grossing film of his career. Beyond the laughs, it’s a story about ingenuity, resilience and the human spirit.
