The Space Between Us had real potential—a kid born on Mars comes to Earth! The science! The wonder!—but it fumbles by leaning too hard into predictable teen romance territory. The visuals are solid, and there are genuine moments of curiosity-driven charm when Gardner experiences Earth for the first time.

But let's be real: the brief teen sex scene will catch parents off-guard if they're expecting a family-friendly sci-fi adventure. It's not explicit, but it's there, casually dropped into what otherwise feels like it wants to be a wholesome space story.

The film works best as a conversation starter for older teens about space ethics, grief, and identity—but it's not appointment viewing. It's fine for a Friday night if your 14-year-old is into space stuff and you've prepped them for the content. Just don't expect Interstellar; expect more like a CW show with a bigger budget.