People have always been fascinated by outer space. Countless movies and TV shows have explored the mysteries of space in genres ranging from horror to comedy to drama. Netflix’s new limited series, “The Signal,” serves as the latest addition to the space media craze. However, despite its engaging mystery, “The Signal” provides viewers with a less-than-satisfying conclusion.
The series centers on Sven (Florian David Fitz, “100 Things”) and Charlie (Yuna Bennett, “Dear Thomas”), a father-daughter pair who become unwillingly involved in a mystery as big as outer space itself. Sven’s wife, Paula (Peri Baumeister, “The Last Kingdom”), is an astronaut who has recently returned from the International Space Station. After Paula’s flight back home vanishes, Sven and Charlie begin piecing together a string of clues she left behind for them. The series does a fantastic job of establishing its mystery. Viewers learn new information alongside Sven and Charlie, keeping them excited for what comes next.
As the series progresses, dual timelines are incorporated to engage viewers with the sci-fi elements of the show. Flashbacks to three months prior show Paula’s time in the ISS, slowly dropping clues to viewers about the events of her mission. These flashbacks are intensified by stressful scenes like Paula’s hallucinations and several near-death experiences. When Paula discovers something shocking, she realizes she must hide her finding from the rest of the crew (and the world), and, becoming increasingly frantic in her work, leaves clues only for the people she trusts the most: Charlie and Sven.
Although the main plot of the series is a deep-space mystery, familial relationships take center stage. In Paula’s final message to Sven, she tells him not to fight with Charlie. Nevertheless, the father and daughter have their fair share of fights throughout the series, which add to the realism of the relationship between Charlie and her father, making the more emotional moments of the series hit harder.
The emotional beats are cemented by the acting of Fitz and Bennett, who deliver heartfelt performances that bounce seamlessly off of each other. Whenever the pair fights, viewers can understand both points of view. Sven wants to shelter his daughter from the cruel reality of their situation while Charlie wants to know what happened to her mother. Even after they fight, the pair always reconnect and learn how to process their grief together. As they begin to solve their mystery, they must decide to face the truth together rather than run away; they choose to keep the information about Paula’s death secret, even if it costs them their lives.
One of the most unique aspects of “The Signal” is its portrayal of extraterrestrial life. Sci-fi media, especially thrillers, have traditionally depicted aliens as monsters that threaten the existence of humanity itself. Movies like “Alien” explore the potential horrors of extraterrestrial life by combining an active threat with a claustrophobic environment. At first, it seems like “The Signal” is attempting a similar narrative, but the series subverts this expectation with its final reveal.
Although the aliens are never shown on screen, viewers learn their intentions through their actions. Rather than sending a message of their own, the aliens return Voyager 1 — a space probe launched by NASA in 1977 — to Earth. Voyager 1 contained a golden record, playing a message for whoever it may intercept. The message begins with the words, “Hello from the children of planet Earth,” followed by messages in numerous languages, music and images. However, the record has broken, and only the first word is played on repeat. Sven and Charlie find this record in the final episode, listening to the full message. This moment connects viewers with the aliens in a way that transcends any communication barriers. Rather than a show of strength or power, the return of Voyager 1 serves as a generous acknowledgment of humanity’s presence without words.
Despite their unique portrayal, “The Signal” doesn’t offer much more from the aliens than existing as an answer to the show’s central mystery. The return of Voyager 1 spreads to the public and the true masterminds behind the plane crash are caught. Deciphering Paula’s messages keeps viewers entertained, but the reward is too short to savor. Many questions remain unanswered, and the answers given feel cheap. This results in an overall forgettable conclusion. Still, the series ends on a hopeful note, with Sven and Charlie moving on from their loss. If you enjoy sci-fi mysteries and realistic family dynamics, maybe give “The Signal” a try.
Daily Arts Contributor Morgan Sieradski can be reached at kmsier@umich.edu.