The Martian (2015 Film) Literary Elements

The Martian (2015 Film) Literary Elements

Director

Ridley Scott

Leading Actors/Actresses

Matt Damon

Supporting Actors/Actresses

Jessica Chastain, Kristen Wiig, Jeff Daniels, Michael Peña, and Kate Mara

Genre

Science Fiction

Language

English

Awards

Nominated for seven Academy Awards: Best Picture, Best Actor for Damon, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Sound Mixing, Best Sound Editing, Best Visual Effects, and Best Production Design

Date of Release

2 October 2015

Producer

Simon Kinberg, Ridley Scott, Michael Schaefer, Aditya Sood, Mark Huffam

Setting and Context

Mars, 2035

Narrator and Point of View

From the point of view of narrator Mark Watney

Tone and Mood

Solemn, Jovial, Brooding, Dire, Curious, and Scientific

Protagonist and Antagonist

Watney vs. Mars

Major Conflict

Mark's struggle to survive on Mars until a rescue mission is mounted

Climax

When the transmission between NASA and Mark stopped

Foreshadowing

Mark's upcoming struggle for food is foreshadowed by some dialogue early on into his video diary

Understatement

The severity of Mark's situation is often understated

The severity of damage to Mark's habitat is understated when it happens

Innovations in Filming or Lighting or Camera Techniques

Although not innovative in filming or camera techniques, The Martian is a very well-made and well-shot film.

Allusions

Allusions to the Bible, science, film, popular culture, ABBA, music (particularly disco music), mythology, politics, government, and many other things.

Paradox

Nothing grows on Mars, yet Watney magically grows potatoes.

Parallelism

No significant instances of parallelism.

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