The Space Between Us
In this interplanetary adventure, a space shuttle embarks on the first mission to colonize Mars, only to discover after takeoff that one of the astronauts is pregnant. Shortly after landing, she dies from complications while giving birth to the first human born on the red planet - never revealing who the father is. Thus begins the extraordinary life of Gardner Elliot - an inquisitive, highly intelligent boy who reaches the age of 16 having only met 14 people in his very unconventional upbringing. While searching for clues about his father, and the home planet he's never known, Gardner begins an online friendship with a street smart girl in Colorado named Tulsa. When he finally gets a chance to go to Earth, he's eager to experience all of the wonders he could only read about on Mars - from the most simple to the extraordinary. But once his explorations begin, scientists discover that Gardner's organs can't withstand Earth's atmosphere. Eager to find his father, Gardner escapes the team of scientists and joins with Tulsa on a race against time to unravel the mysteries of how he came to be, and where he belongs in the universe.
The film financial setback against its respectable budget of $30.0M, earning $14.8M globally (-51% loss). While initial box office returns were modest, the film has gained appreciation for its innovative storytelling within the drama genre.
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
The Space Between Us (2017) showcases precise narrative design, characteristic of Peter Chelsom's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 2 hours and 1 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.1, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Gardner Elliot
Tulsa
Nathaniel Shepherd
Kendra Wyndham
Sarah Elliot
Tom Chen
Main Cast & Characters
Gardner Elliot
Played by Asa Butterfield
The first human born on Mars, a curious and emotionally intelligent teenager who travels to Earth to find his biological father and experience the world he's only read about.
Tulsa
Played by Britt Robertson
A rebellious foster kid and online friend of Gardner who becomes his guide to Earth and romantic interest, hiding vulnerability beneath a tough exterior.
Nathaniel Shepherd
Played by Gary Oldman
The visionary founder of Genesis Space Technologies who funded the Mars mission and feels responsible for Gardner's existence and safety.
Kendra Wyndham
Played by Carla Gugino
A compassionate NASA scientist and surrogate mother figure who raised Gardner on Mars and advocates for his well-being.
Sarah Elliot
Played by Janet Montgomery
Gardner's mother, an astronaut who died giving birth to him on Mars, known only through recordings and memories.
Tom Chen
Played by BD Wong
A Genesis scientist who works alongside Nathaniel and helps monitor Gardner's condition on Earth.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Gardner Elliot, the first human born on Mars, lives isolated in a biodome at age 16. He gazes at Earth through telescopes, dreaming of a planet he's never visited, while his world consists of scientific routines and limited human contact.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 14 minutes when Gardner is told he may be able to travel to Earth if he undergoes extensive surgery to strengthen his body for Earth's gravity. This possibility transforms his distant dream into a potential reality, giving him hope of meeting Tulsa and discovering his father.. At 12% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 30 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 25% of the runtime. This reveals the protagonist's commitment to Gardner boards the spacecraft to Earth, making the irreversible choice to leave the only world he's ever known. He actively chooses to risk everything—his health, his life—for the chance to experience Earth and find connection., moving from reaction to action.
At 60 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 50% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. Of particular interest, this crucial beat Gardner collapses from the strain of Earth's gravity on his enlarged heart and weakened bone structure. What seemed like a triumphant adventure (false victory) reveals its true cost: his body is failing. The stakes shift from "will he find his father?" to "will he survive?"., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 90 minutes (74% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Gardner suffers a near-fatal cardiac episode. Doctors confirm he cannot survive on Earth—his only chance is immediate return to Mars. His dream dies: he can never live on Earth, never be with Tulsa, never experience a normal life. The "whiff of death" is literal and metaphorical., illustrates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 96 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 79% of the runtime. Gardner realizes that experiencing love—however brief—was worth the cost. He chooses to accept his fate and return to Mars, synthesizing his Martian resilience with the emotional growth Tulsa taught him. He understands that connection transcends physical presence., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
The Space Between Us's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs a 15-point narrative structure framework that maps key story moments. By mapping The Space Between Us against these established plot points, we can identify how Peter Chelsom utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish The Space Between Us within the drama genre.
Peter Chelsom's Structural Approach
Among the 6 Peter Chelsom films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.3, reflecting strong command of classical structure. The Space Between Us takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Peter Chelsom filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional drama films include After Thomas, South Pacific and Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights. For more Peter Chelsom analyses, see Hannah Montana: The Movie, Shall We Dance? and Town & Country.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Gardner Elliot, the first human born on Mars, lives isolated in a biodome at age 16. He gazes at Earth through telescopes, dreaming of a planet he's never visited, while his world consists of scientific routines and limited human contact.
Theme
Kendra (Gardner's guardian) tells him: "The heart is just a muscle. It expands and contracts." This seemingly clinical statement masks the film's true question: Can love transcend physical limitations and impossible distances?
Worldbuilding
Establishment of Gardner's Martian life: his education by robots and scientists, his physical fragility due to Mars' lower gravity, his online friendship with Tulsa (a girl on Earth), and the revelation that he was born after his astronaut mother died in childbirth. His isolation and yearning for connection drive his every action.
Disruption
Gardner is told he may be able to travel to Earth if he undergoes extensive surgery to strengthen his body for Earth's gravity. This possibility transforms his distant dream into a potential reality, giving him hope of meeting Tulsa and discovering his father.
Resistance
Gardner undergoes rigorous physical training and surgery to prepare for Earth. He debates with Kendra about the risks, processes his mother's death, and intensifies his online relationship with Tulsa. Meanwhile, NASA debates whether bringing him to Earth is ethical given his medical fragility.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
Gardner boards the spacecraft to Earth, making the irreversible choice to leave the only world he's ever known. He actively chooses to risk everything—his health, his life—for the chance to experience Earth and find connection.
Mirror World
Gardner meets Tulsa in person for the first time. She embodies everything he yearns for: freedom, spontaneity, and genuine human connection. Their relationship will teach him what it means to truly live, not just survive.
Premise
Gardner experiences Earth for the first time: rain, horses, crowds, the ocean. He and Tulsa escape NASA custody and embark on a road trip to find his father. This section delivers the premise's promise—a Mars boy discovering Earth, awkward romance, fish-out-of-water comedy, and wonder.
Midpoint
Gardner collapses from the strain of Earth's gravity on his enlarged heart and weakened bone structure. What seemed like a triumphant adventure (false victory) reveals its true cost: his body is failing. The stakes shift from "will he find his father?" to "will he survive?"
Opposition
Gardner's condition deteriorates as NASA and his guardians close in. Every physical activity becomes dangerous. He and Tulsa find his father (who never knew he existed), but Gardner's health crisis intensifies. Time is running out, and the impossibility of their relationship becomes undeniable.
Collapse
Gardner suffers a near-fatal cardiac episode. Doctors confirm he cannot survive on Earth—his only chance is immediate return to Mars. His dream dies: he can never live on Earth, never be with Tulsa, never experience a normal life. The "whiff of death" is literal and metaphorical.
Crisis
Gardner and Tulsa face the devastating reality that they must separate forever. They share their grief, confess their love, and process the unfairness of their situation. This is their dark night—the emotional reckoning before acceptance.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Gardner realizes that experiencing love—however brief—was worth the cost. He chooses to accept his fate and return to Mars, synthesizing his Martian resilience with the emotional growth Tulsa taught him. He understands that connection transcends physical presence.
Synthesis
Gardner races against time to reach the launch window. He and Tulsa share a final goodbye. He boards the spacecraft back to Mars, while Tulsa watches from Earth. The finale resolves both external plot (his survival) and internal arc (accepting his identity and limitations).
Transformation
Gardner, back on Mars, stands in the biodome and looks at Earth through the telescope—mirroring the opening image. But now he's transformed: no longer lonely and yearning, he carries real love and connection within him. He video calls Tulsa, showing that their bond transcends distance.