'If You Were the Last' Review: Anthony Mackie and Zoë Chao Find Love in Space in Cute Sci-Fi Rom-Com
If You Were the Last
TV-MA
Runtime: 1 Hour and 32 Minutes
Production Companies: Depth of Field, Pinky Promise & Storm City Films
Distributor: Peacock
Director: Kristian Mercado
Writer: Angela Bourassa
Cast: Anthony Mackie, Zoë Chao, Natalie Morales, Geoff Stults
Release Date: October 20, 2023
Exclusively on Peacock
Can romantic comedy stem from the terrifying scenario of two people stranded in space? Not in the same vein as the problematic Jennifer Lawrence/Chris Pratt epic romance Passengers, but through a witty, spirited lens. In director Kristian Mercado’s directorial debut, If You Were The Last, he answers the question with heart, humor, and horniness.
Three years deep into a mission gone wrong, NASA astronauts Jane (Zoë Chao) and Adam (Anthony Mackie) are stranded in their space shuttle. In their daily routine, Adam and Jane tend to their chickens for eggs, and a goat for milk, play chess, create choreographed dances, exercise together, etc. While looking for a way to return to Earth, they find solace in each other’s company. One day, Adam presents a wild idea: if they won’t be rescued, why not have sex? Jane initially laughs it off but indulges him with a mature discussion about the pros and cons of them doing the deed. As the days go on, resources dwindle, the uncertainty of returning home to their respective partners rises, and the sexual tension between them furthers. The two wonder if their relationship is platonic or if they can become friends with intergalactic benefits.
The foundation of If You Were The Last lies in the intense sexually-charged chemistry between Anthony Mackie and Zoë Chao. As the film begins with Jane and Adam riffing on the plot of Ridley Scott’s The Martian over a game of chess, Mackie and Chao’s charisma instantly sells the history of these astronauts’ friendship. They share quick-fire banter that keeps the story flowing quickly with effortless energy. Mackie and Chao are already strong comedic stars in their own right: Mackie with his silliness and sass, Chao with her effervescence. Together they steer this ship in the right direction, blending great comedic banter and a believable romantic slow burn. They run down the required rom-com checklist from sometimes finishing each other’s sentences, having complex discussions about the life they left behind on Earth, and most importantly, having heated dance numbers that turn up the heat.
Complementing the budding romance is the retro ambiance that director Kristian Mercado infuses into the visual style and backgrounds. Steel-colored futuristic backgrounds are the norm for space shuttle settings. Mercado splashes it with every Crayola color, giving the film a unique flair. Each room is painted with a primary color and neon lighting emitting an intimate mood. He adds varying animation styles and techniques into each visual facet, including the astronaut’s ship and Earth being claymated stop-motion, their DVD and Music Players taking on the form of NES cartridges, and an expressive 8-bit AI that’s always smiling. His vibrant child-like imagination that exudes Gen-X kindergarten classroom vibes is a bold juxtaposition to the raunchy sexual material.
The central topic that screenwriter Angela Bourassa pens treads a steady line. Neither Adam nor Jane is persistent nor forceful about it, never making either party uncomfortable. They both handle the conversation maturely, deconstructing what could or couldn’t happen throughout their daily routine. Bourassa’s script is full of sharp wit and clever humor that makes the most out of the situation. While overall lighthearted, the story is actively aware of the stakes presented by their fading supply of food and resources, adding unnerving existential uncertainty and urgency. As the narrative furthers, Bourassa’s screenplay unravels a complex observation of human connection. Through Jane and Adam, the story questions if the condition for people to seek companionship is relative. Its final act examines the validity of their relationship; was sex the final test for their friendship blossoming into romance, or was it the caring dynamic the two had for over three years while stuck together?
If You Were the Last immerses you with its sharp and colorful style for the first several acts. Adam and Jane’s daily routine might feel mundane and repetitive for them, but as a viewer, it’s thoroughly engaging. As the film reaches a pivotal point, Bourassa’s screenplay embraces all the conventions of the romantic genre in the same vein as Enchanted. Yeah. When reality kicks in, implementing a change of scenery, Bourassa trades the unique elements for romantic tropes. While the sweet-natured tone remains, the story jumps some hurdles to formulate audacious reasons to justify Jane and Adam’s inevitable pairing. The pacing takes a hit while doing this, but the delightful tone remains.
Mixed with sugar, spice, and everything nice, If You Were the Last is an endlessly funny and stylish sci-fi rom-com fueled by Anthony Mackie and Zoë Chao’s impeccable chemistry. Boasting as a calling card for Kristian Mercado and Angela Bourassa, their examination of human, sex, friendship, and connection is one of the year’s loveliest and most original romantic tales.
