New Documentary ‘Starman’ Asks the Big Question: Are We Alone in the Universe? (Exclusive)

Documentaries investigating the existence of aliens and UFOs—or UAPs, as they’re now called—are having a particularly potent moment now that the U.S. government, long a hotbed of secrecy or dismissiveness, has been more openly entering the chat. Even noted E.T. fan Steven Spielberg is dipping back into the subject with his upcoming sci-fi event film, Disclosure Day. But a new doc focusing on an especially well-rounded space expert looks to stand out from the pack.

It’s called Starman, and it comes from Oscar-nominated director Robert Stone (Radio Bikini, Guerrilla: The Taking of Patty Hearst, Oswald’s Ghost, Chasing the Moon). Its subject, who you get to meet in the trailer io9 is exclusively debuting, is Gentry Lee, a veteran, highly decorated NASA engineer who also happens to be a best-selling science fiction author. He collaborated with Arthur C. Clarke. He also co-created the Cosmos TV series with Carl Sagan.

So, yes—Lee balances real science with pop culture know-how, and he also still has an infectious sense of wonder about the great cosmic mysteries. That includes, as you’ll see in the trailer, the question of whether or not we are alone in the universe.

The film features interviews with Lee and archival appearances by the likes of Clark, Sagan, Ray Bradbury, and legendary astrobiologist and astrophysicist Frank Drake. Starman premiered at SXSW in 2025 and hits theaters February 6.

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