Don't Look Up 2021

Movie · 138 min · English · December 5, 2021

Directed by Adam McKayWritten by Adam McKay

Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Lawrence, Meryl Streep, Cate Blanchett, Rob Morgan

Don't Look Up is a 2021 American political satire black comedy film. It was written, co-produced, and directed by Adam McKay from a story he co-wrote with David Sirota. The ensemble cast includes Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Lawrence, Rob Morgan, Jonah Hill, Mark Rylance, Tyler Perry, Timothée Chalamet, Ron Perlman, Ariana Grande, Kid Cudi, Cate Blanchett, and Meryl Streep. Two astronomers try to warn people about a comet that will end civilization. The comet impact in the film serves as an allegory for climate change threats. The movie mocks social, political, corporate, celebrity, and media responses, especially regarding the climate crisis. It also reflects how society reacted to science during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The film was produced by McKay's Hyperobject Industries and Bluegrass Films. It was announced in November 2019. Originally planned for a theatrical release through Paramount Pictures, distribution rights were later acquired by Netflix. Lawrence joined first, followed by DiCaprio after discussing script changes with McKay; the rest of the cast joined during 2020. Filming was supposed to start in April 2020 in Massachusetts but was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It finally began in November 2020 and wrapped in February 2021.

Don't Look Up had a limited theatrical release on December 10, 2021, then streamed on Netflix on December 24. Critics praised the acting and music, though they were split on McKay's satire—some found it skillful, others thought it was arrogant and overbearing. Donna Lu of The Guardian said many film critics gave it a cold response, while climate activists strongly supported it. The movie was named one of the top ten films of 2021 by the National Board of Review and American Film Institute. It received four Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture; four Golden Globe nominations, including Best Picture – Musical or Comedy; six Critics' Choice Award nominations, including Best Picture; and won Best Original Screenplay at the 74th Writers Guild of America Awards. The film broke records for most viewing hours in a single week on Netflix. It quickly became the second-most-watched movie on Netflix within 28 days after release.