U Are the Universe (2024)

"U Are the Universe" (Ukrainian: Ти — космос) is a 2024 Ukrainian-Belgian romantic science fiction drama, which became the debut feature film of director and screenwriter Pavlo Ostrikov. The world premiere took place on September 7, 2024 at the Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF), where the film participated in the official competition. The film was released in Ukrainian cinemas on November 20, 2025.

Plot

The events unfold in the near future. Andriy Melnyk is a Ukrainian space trucker who transports nuclear waste from Earth to Jupiter's abandoned moon Callisto. During another mission, Earth unexpectedly explodes, but Andriy miraculously survives. He becomes the last human in the Universe — at least, that's what he thinks. However, soon he receives a mysterious signal from French astronaut Catherine, who also survived the catastrophe. A touching long-distance communication ensues between them, filled with humor, hope, and deep reflections on loneliness and the need for connection. The film masterfully combines elements of science fiction, romantic comedy, and drama, creating a tender yet ironic story about what it means to be human.

Cast and Crew

• Director and Screenwriter: Pavlo Ostrikov
• Cinematographer: Mykyta Kuzmenko
• Composer: Mykyta Moiseiev
• Editor: Ivan Bannikov
• Starring:
• Volodymyr Kravchuk as Andriy Melnyk
• Leonid Popadko
• Daria Plakhtii
• Alexia Depicker as Catherine
• Production: ForeFilms, Stenola Productions, Ukrainian State Film Agency

Awards and Recognition

• Grand Prize at the Strasbourg European Fantastic Film Festival (2024)
• First international awards received in September 2024
• High ratings from critics and audiences (IMDb rating 7.7/10)

Franchise Chronology

Currently, "U Are the Universe" is a standalone film with no sequels, prequels, or spin-offs.

Where to Watch

• In Theaters: The Ukrainian premiere took place on November 20, 2025. Tickets and showtimes are available at Planeta Kino.
• Streaming Platforms: The film is available on Prime Video.
• Additional Information: Page on IMDb, Wikipedia, Letterboxd.