Ad Astra meaning: What does name of Brad Pitt movie Ad Astra mean?

Ad Astra, Brad Pitt’s latest film, has taken audiences and critics by storm. Brad Pitt plays Roy McBride, an astronaut who soars to outer space to complete a mission. But his mission is as much about family as it is about saving the world.

**WARNING AD ASTRA SPOILERS**

What does Ad Astra mean?

The film opens with a description of what astronauts do, namely that they shoot off to the stars to discover new worlds, planets and even new lifeforms.

And that is exactly what Ad Astra means – it is Latin for “to the stars.”

This holds a greater significance than just the fact that Pitt’s Roy McBride must go to the stars to track down his father, played by Tommy Lee Jones, in a bid to save the world.

Ad Astra has been used as a motto by some organisations, including the video company who created the Halo franchise, Bungie.

But its origins are even further in history, having been seen in the ancient epic poem Aeneid, by Virgil, as well as Hercules Furens, by Roman philosopher Seneca the Younger.

This particular phrase features a longer use of the term, which translates to “There is no easy way from the earth to the stars.”

This phrase could not be more true than for Roy McBride, as he is called to go on a mission by NASA after a horrific experience.

But there is no experience more horrific than discovering your father could be involved in an energy burst which is threatening to kill all life on Earth and in the solar system.

This is what Roy is confronted with, as well as the realisation that his father, who he believed to be dead, may actually be alive.

As the film continues, there are more and more revelations for Roy, as he begins to discover more about his father than he bargained for.

He also learns more about himself, and how his desire to keep his calm both inside and out can be thwarted when the issues of family come to the fore.

What is Ad Astra about?

Ad Astra follows Roy McBride’s journey to the stars, starting on Earth as he travels to various planets in pursuit of his father, and the completion of an important mission.

Of course, there is both an emotional and physical journey for him, as he must confront some of his own disappointments, frustrations and anger as he tries to keep his cool amid difficult circumstances.

Ad Astra is in cinemas now