Cosmos (2019) is a British science fiction film written, directed, and produced by Elliot and Zander Weaver, marking their feature film debut. The film stars Tom England, Joshua Ford, Arjun Singh Panam, and Ben Vardy. It was released in late 2019 and has a runtime of 128 minutes.
The plot revolves around three young amateur astronomers who encounter a series of mysterious radio signals originating from space. Their investigation leads them to believe that these signals are a response to the Arecibo message, a famous interstellar radio message sent into space in 1974. As they work to decode the signals, they face challenges including an unexplained power surge that deletes crucial recordings. The climax of the film sees the team racing to a local radio telescope array to continue their research, ultimately culminating in a moment where they attempt to communicate with the source of the signals by sending a message: "Welcome to Earth."
Cosmos was produced on a very low budget of approximately $7,000, with much of the equipment used for filming being borrowed or owned by the filmmakers. The film has been noted for its ambitious storytelling despite its financial constraints. It received mixed reviews; some critics compared it favorably to films like Close Encounters of the Third Kind and Arrival, praising its compelling narrative and emotional depth. Others pointed out imperfections in the script but acknowledged the film's ability to engage audiences.
The film had its theatrical release on November 8, 2019, and was distributed by Gravitas Ventures. It has since garnered attention for its unique premise and heartfelt exploration of friendship among the characters as they navigate their scientific pursuits against the backdrop of potential extraterrestrial contact. Despite its challenges, Cosmos stands out as an indie effort that captures the wonder of space exploration and human connection.