The Space Between Us

Gardner Elliot grows up on Mars among a small team of scientists, raised with data, lessons and a yearning to understand where he came from. When a chance to visit Earth appears, he travels across an ocean of stars to meet people, see oceans and cities, and search for the man he thinks is his father. On Earth he meets Tulsa, a street-smart teen who helps him discover human pleasures and awkward social rules. Their bond deepens as Gardner confronts physical limits, cultural shock, and the consequences of leaving the only home he has ever known, all while the adults around them handle scientific and ethical fallout.

Directed by Peter Chelsom, the film was released in 2017, created by Stewart Schill, Richard Barton Lewis, and Allan Loeb. It blends science fiction settings with a young adult romance framework, using Mars as a key narrative device and backdrop.

The movie earned modest theatrical returns, drawing more attention from younger viewers than from mainstream box office demographics. Its limited commercial performance was reflected in shorter theatrical runs and later interest on streaming platforms.

While it didn't dominate awards seasons, the film landed a mixed critical reaction, with reviewers often praising Asa Butterfield and Britt Robertson for their chemistry and the visual sense of Mars, while noting the script's uneven pacing and some scientific liberties. Central themes include belonging, identity, first love, and the human cost of exploration, presented through straightforward, emotionally focused scenes rather than technical accuracy.

Among viewers the film sparked discussion for mixing a teen romance with space adventure, and it picked up a steady audience on streaming services and home video. Fans have appreciated its emotional moments and the novelty of a protagonist raised off Earth, prompting online conversations about how science, family and adolescence intersect in an extra terrestrial setting.