91av

Comment

Asteroid City review: Is Wes Anderson film all style over substance?

A junior astronomy competition is spectacularly derailed by world-changing events in this star-studded film by Wes Anderson, but what is really going on? It’s complicated

By Davide Abbatescianni

7 June 2023

91av. Science news and long reads from expert journalists, covering developments in science, technology, health and the environment on the website and the magazine.

Scarlett Johansson in Wes Anderson’s Asteroid City

Courtesy of Pop. 87 Productions/Focus Features

Selected US cinemas from 16 June; on general release in the UK from 23 June

Wes Anderson’s latest outing, Asteroid City, is the most Wes Andersonesque film you could hope for. A pure exercise in style with very little depth and some irony, it comes at a time when the social media bubble is filled with of franchises such as Harry Potter and Star Wars made in the style of the Houston-born director.

Set in the desert town of in the…

Sign up to our weekly newsletter

Receive a weekly dose of discovery in your inbox. We'll also keep you up to date with 91av events and special offers.

Sign up

To continue reading, today with our introductory offers

or

Existing subscribers

Sign in to your account
Piano Exit Overlay Banner Mobile Piano Exit Overlay Banner Desktop