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Research in English and Education (READ), 8 (3), 150-159, August 2023

E-ISSN 2528-746X

An Analysis of the Theme in the Film of Interstellar

Zulkhairi Mizan*1, Hendra Heriansyah1, and Saiful Marhaban1

1Universitas Syiah Kuala, Banda Aceh

*Corresponding author: zulkhairimizan22@gmail.com

Abstract

This qualitative research is aimed to discover Themes contained in the film of


Interstellar. The researcher focuses on the most dominant theme in the film. The data
in this study were obtained from various great articles on the internet. The data of
this research were collected by looking for relevant articles, choosing important
material descriptions related to moral values from the sources given, choosing the
film to study, the researcher chose the film "Interstellar”, watched and replayed the
film, downloading the scripts from the internet, reading the script to understand the
themes in the film "Interstellar” better, and underlining text that shows the theme
and its influence in the film. This study used a qualitative research method with a
descriptive approach. As the title suggests, this research is designed to describe the
themes of Interstellar film. Another result found that themes in interstellar is very
good for intriguing the reader to know about physics, astronomy and mind blowing
science theories behind it and of course can increase our English skill. Furthermore,
I recommend student to watch educational films that make our knowledge
increasing. As the conclusion, this masterpice film has the great themes and really
good for increasing the knowledge of teachers, students and readers.

Key Words : Analysis, Theme, Film, Interstellar.

1. INTRODUCTION
Literature is a social institution that uses language as a medium. Life is
presented in literature, and life is conveyed through social reality, while literature
examines the natural and subjective human world.. Literary work is an artistic
product conveyed by someone. Literary works emerge from one's education and are
motivated by an inner need to convey one's thoughts According to Gardner, (2010)
Film is one of the literary works that describes life and it is reflected in social life. Film
in literature is a drama which is then adapted into a film played by actresses and
actors. Film is an art form made of stories. A story is usually written on paper, but is
also sometimes read or told aloud. Then, someone made a movie out of it. Films are
usually shown to people who are not involved in the story, such as moviegoers
(Annisa, 2022). Themes in films play an important role in moving the story,
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An Analysis of the Theme in the Film of Interstellar by Zulkhairi Mizan, Hendra Heriansyah, and Saiful
Marhaban

developing characters, and conveying the message to be conveyed to the audience.


For example, themes of love and friendship are often found in romantic films or
dramas that explore human relationships, emotional conflict, and interpersonal
dynamics. Themes of courage and struggle are often present in action or adventure
films in which characters face extreme challenges and overcome obstacles (Wolff et
al., 2013).
The film Interstellar by Christopher Nolan was chosen to analyze the theme
because this film offers a complex and interesting theme. The reasons for choosing
the film Interstellar as the subject of thematic analysis are because: first, the film
Interstellar takes the audience on an epic journey across time and space. The main
theme of the film is space exploration and humanity's quest to find new habitable
planets. This theme raises philosophical questions about humanity's place in the
universe and how far we can go beyond our physical and cognitive limitations.
Second, Time and Dimensions: This film delves into the complex themes of time,
dimensions and relativity. Third, Apart from space exploration, the film Interstellar
also focuses on human relationships. Fourth, themes of courage and hope are also
highlighted in the film Interstellar. The characters are faced with challenges that test
their physical and emotional limits. Fifth, this film also touches on environmental
issues and human resilience on earth. In summary, the choice of the film Interstellar
as the subject of thematic analysis promises an in-depth exploration of the
philosophical, existential, and scientific issues presented by this film. The complex
and meaningful themes in Interstellar offer an opportunity to analyze the message
and impact that Christopher Nolan wants to convey to his audience. Based on this,
the analysis of the themes in the film Interstellar, so the title of this study is "Analysis
of the themes in the film Interstellar by Christopher Nolan”.

2. LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Theme
Theme is the central idea or concept that underlies a story or work of art. In the
context of film, the theme refers to the main message or idea that the filmmaker wants
to convey to the audience. Themes provide a philosophical or ideological foundation
that guides the story, connects the story elements, and gives deeper meaning (Wolff
et al., 2013).
Theme has a very important role in a story or film. Here are some of the main roles of
the theme in the story/film according to Herman et al., (2010):
1. Provides Focus and Cohesion, the theme gives focus to the story or film. This
helps tie all of the story, character, and plot elements together into a cohesive
whole.
2. Shaping Messages and Meanings, themes provide the main message or
meaning in a story or film.
3. Developing Character and Conflict, themes contribute to developing
characters and presenting conflict in a story or film.
4. Provoke Audience Emotions and Responses, themes can affect the emotions
of the audience and create a strong response.
Encourage Reflection and Discussion, strong themes can encourage viewers to
reflect on the issues raised in a story or film.

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There are many kinds of themes that can be found in stories or films, depending
on the type and context. Here are some common examples of the various themes in
stories or films Herman et al., (2010):
1. Love
The theme of love is often found in various genres, including romantic films and
dramas.
2. Friendship
The theme of friendship depicts the strong bond between the characters in the story
or film.
3. Struggle or Battle
The theme of struggle or battle involves the main character facing external obstacles,
challenges, or conflicts. It includes themes such as resilience, courage,
determination and victory through great effort.
4. Success
The theme of success or glory depicts the achievement of the main character's goals,
ambitions, or dreams.
5. Justice or Injustice
Themes of justice or injustice highlight social or moral issues, and how the characters
struggle to fight for justice or against injustice.
6. Forgiveness, the theme of forgiveness or redemption involves a process of
healing, repenting, or forgiving oneself or others.
7. Change or Transformation
The theme of change or transformation describes the development of the main
character from the beginning of the story to achieving personal growth or
transformation in attitudes, values or beliefs.
8. Life and Death
The themes of life and death focus on human existence, the meaning of life, and the
hereafter.
9. Adventure or Exploration: Adventure or exploration themes involve the physical
or emotional journey of the main character in exploring new worlds,
encountering dangers, or discovering themselves.
10. War and Conflict: The theme of war and conflict often addresses the impact of
violence, sacrifice, and the human consequences of armed conflict.
The theme in a story or film is influenced by various factors. Here are some
things that influence the theme in a story or film (Gultom, 2022):
1. Author or Film maker
Themes in stories or films often reflect the views, values, and interests of the author
or filmmaker.
2. Cultural and Social Context
The theme in a story or film is also influenced by the cultural and social context in
which the story or film is made.
3. History and Age Development
Historical developments and times can also influence the themes in stories or films.
4. Movie Genres
The film genre chosen by the filmmaker can also influence the theme raised.
5. Purpose or Message to be Conveyed
Filmmakers often have goals or messages they want to convey to the audience
through their work.
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Marhaban

6. Responses to Contemporary Issues or Events


Themes in stories or films can also be influenced by issues or events that occurred at
that time.
7. Market Preferences and Trends
Market preferences and trends can also influence the themes in stories or films.
Filmmakers can choose a theme that they believe will interest the audience or be
in accordance with currently popular trends
2.2 Film Definition
Film is a type of image that is direct and is often called a film. Films are
collectively known as cinema. Cinema itself comes from the Greek word "kinematics"
or motion. Film is actually a thin layer of liquid cellulose commonly known in the film
world as celluloid (Adam, 2021).
Film is a moving picture, but the movement it depicts is called intermittent
motion. This type of movement occurs because the human eye and brain are only able
to perceive multiple image changes in a fraction of a second. Film matters because it
fits well with audio and visual media, and people tend to be more attracted to it
because of its attractive format (Panuju, 2019).
2.3 Elements in a Film
In the making of a film, there are several elements that are essential to create
an engaging cinematic experience. Here are some of the main elements in a film
(Sumarno, 2017):
1. Story: Story is the basic element in a film. It involves a structured narrative
with compelling characters, plot, and conflict.
2. Screenplay: A screenplay is a written script that details the dialogue, action,
and situations in the film.
3. Cinematography: Cinematography involves the way the shots are taken in the
film. The use of lighting, framing, camera angles, camera movements, and other visual
techniques are elements of cinematography that affect the mood and aesthetics of a
film.
4. Production Design: Production design involves the creation of sets, locations,
decorations, costumes, and props in a film.
5. Sound Design: Sound design encompasses the audio elements in the film,
including background music, sound effects, dialogue, and overall sound mixing.
6. Acting: Acting involves the actor's involvement in bringing a character to life.
7. Directing: The director is the person responsible for creative decision-making
in filmmaking. They lead the entire production process and direct the actors and crew
in carrying out their vision for the film.
8. Editing: Editing involves the selection and arrangement of scenes and image
clips in the film.
9. Music: Music in films includes background music, theme songs, or original
scores created specifically for the film.
10. Visual Effects: Visual effects are used in films to create worlds or scenes that
would not be possible in real life. The use of computer technology and graphics makes
it possible to create stunning and mesmerising visual effects.
These elements interact and work together to create a complete and
compelling cinematic experience for the audience. It is important to harmonise and
integrate these elements well for a film to reach its full potential.

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2.4 Kinds of Films


There are two types of films according toSumarno (2017), they are:
a) Fiction. Fictional films are films based on stories written and acted out by
people. Most fictional films are made for profit. This means that films can be seen in
theaters for a fee, and if they are shown on television, they may have advertising
sponsorships.
b) Non-fiction. Films that focus on reality are referred to as nonfiction films. Non-
news films are separated into two groups, namely:
(1) Real. Factual film is a type of film that records what happened in the real
world. These films are often called "news" because they focus on the reporting side
of an event.
(2) Documentary. Documentaries are films about real events or special
significant events that can be used to study them. They are usually created as true
stories, with footage from the events themselves, to help us understand them better.
Based on the making, the film is divided into two (Sumarno, 2017), they are:
a) Animated film. Animated films are made by painting or animating images of
objects such as dolls, tables and chairs.
b) Experimental Film. Experimental films are made without following
conventional film rules. Their aim is to explore new ways of communicating, and are
often created by artists who are critical of change.
Based on the genre, the film is divided into three (Sumarno, 2017), they are:
a) Drama. These dramas usually focus on the people involved, trying to make the
audience feel what they feel for the characters.
b) Action. Action-themed films present fight scenes between good people
(protagonists) and bad people (antagonists), so that the audience can feel tension,
anxiety, and fear.
c) Comedy. Some comedy films are meant to make the audience laugh.
d) Tragedy. Tragedy is a film about characters who are in a very bad situation.
e) Horror. Horror movies often contain scenes where people are frightened
because they are afraid of the dark or the supernatural
2.5 Interstellar Film
Taken from unkris.ac.id Interstellar is a 2014 science fiction adventure film
directed by Christopher Nolan. Starring Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway,
Jessica Chastain and Michael Caine, the film is about a space explorer who flies
through a wormhole in search of a new habitable planet. The script was written by
Jonathan Nolan and Christopher Nolan; Christopher fused the idea with a script his
younger relative started in 2007 for Paramount Pictures and producer Lynda Obst.
He produced the film with Obst and his wife, Emma Thomas. Theoretical physicist
Kip Thorne whose work inspired Interstellar serves as the film's executive producer
and scientific consultant (unkris.ac.id).
Warner Bros, the producer and distributor of several of Nolan's previous films,
is in negotiations with Paramount (a rival studio) over splitting Interstellar's rules.
Legendary Pictures, which previously worked with Warner Bros., also negotiated
production terms. The three companies jointly financed the film with the
participation of production houses Syncopy and Lynda Obst Productions. Nolan also
hired cinematographer Hoyte van Hoytema as his longtime partner Wally Pfister was
busy completing Transcendence, the first film he was directing. The interstellar shot
uses a combination of 35mm anamorphic and 70mm IMAX film photography. Filming
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An Analysis of the Theme in the Film of Interstellar by Zulkhairi Mizan, Hendra Heriansyah, and Saiful
Marhaban

took place in the last quarter of 2013 on location in the Canadian province of Alberta,
southern Iceland, and Los Angeles, California.
Interstellar premiered on October 26, 2014 in Los Angeles, California. In
theaters, the film had a limited theatrical release in North America (United States and
Canada) on November 5, 2014 and globally on November 7, 2014. It was also released
in Belgium, France, and Switzerland on November 5, 2014 and many others.
countries on subsequent dates, including the United Kingdom on 7 November 2014.
For a limited release in North America, the film was screened in 70 mm and 35 mm
in ±240 theaters currently using this format and 4170 mm IMAX theaters. For global
release, this film is screened in digital format. Paramount Pictures distributed the film
in North America, while Warner Bros. distribute it in areas other than North America
(unkris.ac.id).
The film "Interstellar" was directed by Christopher Nolan and released in
2014. Here are some of the main characters and the roles played by the players in this
film:
1. Joseph Cooper (played by Matthew McConaughey): The main character in the
film. Cooper is a former NASA engineer and pilot who is recruited to undertake a
space exploration mission to search for a new habitable planet. He is the central
figure in the quest that seeks to save humanity from extinction.
2. Dr. Amelia Brand (played by Anne Hathaway): A scientist and astronaut who is
also involved in the space exploration mission. She is the daughter of Professor
John Brand, a scientist who created the plan to save humanity.
3. Professor John Brand (played by Michael Caine): A theoretical physicist and
Cooper's mentor. He is the figure who leads the space exploration mission and
creates the plan to save humanity from starvation and extinction. Professor
Brand plays an important role in the development of the plot and has complex
relationships with other characters.
4. Dr. Murph Cooper (played by Mackenzie Foy and Jessica Chastain): Murph is
Cooper's feisty and intelligent daughter. As a child, she has a strong bond with
her father and plays an important role in the plot of the film. As an adult, Murph
is played by Jessica Chastain, who is a scientist working with Professor Brand and
trying to solve complicated physics problems.
5. Tom Cooper (played by Timothée Chalamet and Casey Affleck): Tom is Murph's
brother and Cooper's second son. He grows up to be a responsible farmer in the
face of the food crisis plaguing the Earth. Tom has a complicated relationship
with his father and plays an important role in the development of the story.
In addition to the characters above, there are also several supporting
characters in the film "Interstellar", such as Dr Mann (played by Matt Damon), a
scientist trapped on one of the planets being explored, and TARS (voice actor Bill
Irwin), a robot that becomes a friend and partner for the astronauts on their mission
2.6 Previous Related Studies
Research conducted by Pannu & Chopra (2020), entitled "Themes and
Messages Encoded in Films: A Case Study", confirms that themes in films play an
important role in building the messages or values to be conveyed in a film. The
research presents a case study that examines how themes in films can encode certain
messages and values to the audience. The results indicate that themes presented in
films can help convey profound messages, provoke thought, and create an emotional
impression on the audience. These themes serve as powerful communication tools
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between the filmmaker and the audience, helping to direct the audience's attention
to the messages being conveyed. Overall, this research confirms that themes in films
have a strong role in establishing the messages or values that a film wants to convey.
These themes have the ability to connect emotions, convey profound messages, and
influence the thoughts of the audience. Therefore, choosing the right theme and using
it well can have a strong impact and enhance the audience's experience in absorbing
the message of a film.

3. METHODS
This study uses a qualitative research method with a descriptive approach. As
the title suggests, this research is designed to describe the theme of Interstellar film.
Qualitative is a research method based on the philosophy of postpositivism, used to
examine natural objects, (as opposed to experiments) where the researcher is the key
instrument, data collection techniques are triangulated, data analysis is
inductive/qualitative in nature, and emphasizes qualitative research results.
meaning and generalization (Syahza, 2021).
While the nature of research in this study is descriptive. Descriptive research
is a research method that tries to describe and interpret objects as they really are.
While another opinion says that "descriptive research aims to create a systematic,
actual and accurate description of the facts and characteristics of a particular
population or region" (Syahza, 2021).

4. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION


4.1 Results
This study aims to analyze the main themes in the movie "Interstellar" as the
unit of analysis. In this study, the researcher watched the film directly and recorded
important points related to the existing theme. The following is an explanation of the
findings of this study:
1. Exploration Theme
In the film "Interstellar", the theme of exploration is one of the main themes
raised. This theme arises because in this film's story, humans face conditions on Earth
that are getting worse due to severe ecological damage. Exploration is the choice
taken by humans to find a new planet that can be used as a place to live. The severe
ecological damage on Earth indicates a serious environmental crisis. The film
presents complex concepts and theories of physics, such as general relativity and
wormholes. General relativity, developed by Albert Einstein, is one of the important
theories in physics that deals with gravity and space-time. In "Interstellar", this
theory becomes the main foundation of the story, in which space travelers have to
deal with significant changes in time due to strong gravity near a black hole.
2. Love theme
In the film "Interstellar", the theme of love plays an important and interesting
role in developing the narrative and characters. In developing this theme, the main
focus is on the relationship between Cooper (the main character) and his two
children, Tom and Murphy. This theme of love illustrates how strong family ties and
trust can be the main drivers in achieving difficult goals.
Overall, the theme of love in the film "Interstellar" does not only present
romantic relationships, but also illustrates the complex emotions involved in family
relationships.
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An Analysis of the Theme in the Film of Interstellar by Zulkhairi Mizan, Hendra Heriansyah, and Saiful
Marhaban

3. Friendship Theme
The film "Interstellar" has a strong theme of friendship, which is reflected in
Cooper's teamwork on a mission to find a new planet. This collaboration is an
important element in the development of the characters and storyline of the film.
4. Betrayal Theme
In the film "Interstellar", the theme of betrayal becomes an interesting aspect
to analyze. Although the film explores themes of exploration, love, and friendship,
betrayal plays an important role in creating conflict that hinders Team Cooper from
completing their mission, even resulting in the loss of a member of the team.
4.2 Discussion
Based on this research, the overall findings show that the most dominant
theme and the main theme in the film "Interstellar" is the theme of exploration. This
film depicts human efforts to explore space and find new habitable planets, because
earth is no longer habitable. This exploration is the main driving force for the main
characters in the film to continue their mission. However, apart from the exploration
theme, there are also supporting themes that play a role in enriching the story. The
theme of love, for example, plays an important role as a motivation for the main
character in completing his mission. The love that the main character feels for his
family is a strong reason for him to keep fighting and making sacrifices. Furthermore,
the theme of friendship is also an important element in this film. The main characters
build a strong friendship relationship, support each other, and depend on each other
during their journey. This friendship helps them overcome obstacles and achieve
their goals.
On the other hand, the theme of betrayal is also present in this film. Conflicts
arise when one team member betrays the group and causes trouble and harm to the
others. This theme of betrayal creates tension and tests the relationships between the
characters. Thus, the theme of exploration becomes the most dominant, but the
themes of love, friendship, and betrayal also have an important role in enriching the
story and providing interesting conflicts and dynamics. This friendship helps them
overcome obstacles and achieve their goals. On the other hand, the theme of betrayal
is also present in this film. Conflicts arise when one team member betrays the group
and causes trouble and harm to the others. This theme of betrayal creates tension and
tests the relationships between the characters. Thus, the theme of exploration
becomes the most dominant, but the themes of love, friendship, and betrayal also
have an important role in enriching the story and providing interesting conflicts and
dynamics. This friendship helps them overcome obstacles and achieve their goals. On
the other hand, the theme of betrayal is also present in this film. Conflicts arise when
one team member betrays the group and causes trouble and harm to the others. This
theme of betrayal creates tension and tests the relationships between the characters.
Thus, the theme of exploration becomes the most dominant, but the themes of love,
friendship, and betrayal also have an important role in enriching the story and
providing interesting conflicts and dynamics. Thus, the film "Interstellar" does not
only provide entertainment, but also mind blowing physics and astronomy that really
close to the fact that have made the audience amazed of those things.
The discussion above in line with the research entitled "Theme of Main
Character Script in Hachiko Movie" conducted by Pasaribu & Sumarsih (2019)
showed that theme in a film plays an important role in creating strong emotions for
the audience. In the study, they analysed the main character script in the Hachiko
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movie and examined how the theme expressed through the dialogue and narration of
the film affects the emotional reaction of the audience. The results showed that the
themes expressed through the main character's script in Hachiko, namely loyalty,
sadness, and human-animal relationships, created strong emotions in the audience.
The theme helps connect different scenes and gives a coherent unity to the overall
story.

5. CONCLUSION AND SUGGESTION


According to this research's general conclusions, the issue of exploration is the
one that "Interstellar" deals with the most frequently and serves as its central theme.
Because the earth is no longer habitable, this movie explores human efforts to explore
space and discover new habitable worlds. The fundamental motivation behind the
movie's main protagonists' mission progression is this exploration. But in addition to
the exploration concept, there are additional underlying elements that contribute to
enhancing the narrative. The theme of love, for example, plays an important role as a
motivation for the main character in completing his mission. The love that the main
character feels for his family is a strong reason for him to keep fighting and making
sacrifices. Furthermore, the theme of friendship is also an important element in this
film. The main characters build a strong friendship relationship, support each other,
and depend on each other during their journey. This friendship helps them overcome
obstacles and achieve their goals. On the other hand, the theme of betrayal is also
present in this film. When one team member betrays the others and causes difficulties
and injury to the others, conflicts develop. Betrayed develops tension and puts the
characters' relationships to the test. As a result, the topic of exploration takes on a
dominant position, but other themes, such as love, friendship, and betrayal, also play
a significant part in enhancing the narrative and adding compelling tensions and
dynamics. Their camaraderie enables them to overcome challenges and accomplish
their objectives.

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