I’ll be honest. I am not the biggest sci fi movie fan. Most of the time, when I see spaceships, deep space travel, and people sleeping in pods, I think the movie may not be for me. But “Passengers” from 2016 caught me off guard in the best way.
This movie was way better than I expected. I give it a strong 5 out of 5.
Passengers stars Chris Pratt and Jennifer Lawrence, and the story takes place on a huge spaceship traveling to a new planet. Everyone on board is supposed to be asleep for over 100 years. But one man wakes up too early, and that changes everything.
That alone had me thinking, “What would I do in that situation?”
That is what made the movie work for me. It was not just about space. It was about being alone. It was about choices. It was about guilt, love, fear, and trying to make the best out of a life you did not plan.
For a movie that came out in 2016, Passengers feels ahead of its time. Watching it now in 2026, during this AI era, it hits different. The ship, the technology, the robot bartender, and the idea of humans trusting machines with their future all feel more real now than they probably did back then. We are living in a time where AI is everywhere, and this movie makes you think about how much we may depend on technology one day.
But the part that really hit home for me was this quote:
“You can’t get so hung up on where you’d rather be that you forget to make the most of where you are.”
That line stuck with me.
Sometimes I feel like I should be further in life. Maybe I should have more. Maybe I could be doing more. Maybe I should be in a different place by now. But truthfully, I think most people feel that way at some point. It does not matter how much money you have, how many goals you reached, how proud your parents are, or how many people look up to you. That feeling can still creep in.
But we have to slow down sometimes.
We have to be thankful for what we have right now.
As a firefighter and EMT in Clayton County I see how fast life can change. I see people on some of the worst days of their lives. It makes you think about things most people do not want to think about. Will I wake up tomorrow? Will I make it home safe? Will I be able to drive to my son and come back without something bad happening on the road?
That may sound heavy but it is real.
People take their health for granted. We take peace for granted. We take being able to walk, talk, breathe, drive, type, work, and hug our family for granted. Some people would love to have the simple things we complain about.
That is why Passengers meant more to me than I thought it would. It reminded me that life may not always go how we planned, but that does not mean there is no purpose in where we are.
Overall, Passengers is a great movie with real meaning. I’m trying not to spoil the movie but it has strong acting, great visuals, and a story that sticks with you after it ends. Even if you are not a big sci-fi fan, I think this movie is worth watching.
