It might be one of the most exciting science fiction movies we are talking about, but these huge plot holes in Interstellar definitely raise a lot of red flags. Christopher Nolan is aces when it comes to creating celluloid masterpieces. From the cult favorite Memento to 2010’s Inception, he has successfully created some movies with the most everlasting impact on audiences. However, in the case of Interstellar, even the most loyal of Nolan fans will agree that it does end up stretching science a bit too far. Of course, it is fiction – but, some things are just too hard to digest in the film.
We have to admit, the movie was spectacular in terms of the stunning visuals. Plus, with stars of the stature of Matthew McConaughey and Anne Hathaway on board, some solid performances are guaranteed! The film took us on an exhilarating cosmic journey, and it was probably the closest we could get to space for most of us. The cinematography was spot on, and so was the story. Yes, we have to say, that the story did keep us on the edge of our seats for every minute. Exaggerated, it was, but most of the time we were sold on it! But, when there is science involved, a few loopholes are hard to avoid. To keep the element of thrill intact or to keep the story moving, sometimes there are a lot of excuses the makers end up making that leads to the suspension of the scientific elements of truth.
In case of Interstellar though, it was not just the science part that went awry, there were also certain obvious glaring discrepancies in the script that are hard to ignore for us. Some emotional elements are missing and sometimes the facts shown do not match up.
But, let’s face it – no movie, no matter how perfect, is completely free of plot holes. Even, “Tangled”, the tightest Disney movie ever has some issues as pointed out in 11 Glaring Plot Holes in Disney’s Tangled. And, the somewhat huge plot holes in Interstellar aside, it is indeed a fine film. So let’s go ahead and uncover the plot holes in the film just for the fun of it and if you haven’t watched the movie yet, beware of spoilers!
12. Why Cooper?
Just a few minutes into the movie, we are told how much NASA wants Cooper (Matthew McConaughey) to pilot their spacecraft on an Earth-saving mission after he lands up on their base by accident. This raises some major questions about the plot – Why is Cooper so perfect for the mission? Wouldn’t it require extensive training to go on such a mission and since NASA had been planning its course for years; doesn’t it make sense for them to have trained someone beforehand? And, if Cooper was indeed so perfect, why hadn’t they gone looking for him before?
11. A Crashed Government Pumping Out Millions?
We are told that the government is army less and on the verge of collapse then where exactly is all the money to pour into NASA experiments and plans coming from? Couldn’t they have just figured out how to grow crops in greenhouses or on spacecraft or anything instead?
10. Dr. Mann’s Crazy Plan
Let’s take a minute to think about Dr. Mann’s (Matt Damon) plan. Seriously, Dr. Mann? Did you think that was gonna work? Why does he want to kill Cooper anyway, when they had two ships? And, we are repeatedly told he is the best that NASA has. Yeah, right, the best guy who cannot even dock manually!
9. The Time Travel Paradox
Another huge plot hole in Interstellar is – ignoring the time travel paradox yet again. It’s been overdone in so many movies, it’s not even funny! So the time travel paradox states that it will not work if your present self cannot be saved without the help from your future self. A casual loop is caused in this case. That means there is no way Cooper could have played the Space ghost from behind the haunted bookshelf in Murph’s room.
8. Morse Code Saves The World…. Too Far Fetched For Us To Buy
You want us to believe that the answer to the gravity equation could be delivered in something like Morse Code? Isn’t it supposed to be like super complex to figure out? So couldn’t have future humans thought of some way to communicate it back in time, since it so simple?
7. Love Over Logic
So apparently “love transcends space and time” and is the key. What about other powerful feelings then? Like, maybe revenge?
6. “I’ve Waited For Years?”
Romilly waited for years for Cooper and Brand to return, but his expression is just a little over bored. How is he not totally insane by now? And, why on earth didn’t he sleep?
5. Somebody Really Needed to Put Video Chatting to Better Purpose
If it’s possible to send videos into space to your family just for the sake of extending the family melodramatic scenes in the movie, why didn’t anybody think of sending some credible information about the habitability of the planets?
4. And, That Brings us to Tom Who Nobody Seemed To Notice
Tom is the one who always believed in his father and sent him videos across space for the longest time, and yet nobody seems to be mildly bothered about his whereabouts. It’s always about Murph somehow. Even when Cooper finally gets back, Tom is nowhere in the picture. There’s some crazy amount of favoritism going on here!
3. Entering a Black Hole, Really?
Okay, it just doesn’t work that way. Nobody can even get close enough to a black hole scientifically speaking – let alone enter it!
2. How Does Murph Know All That About Brand?
In the ending scene Murph tells Cooper about Brand, but how exactly have such information on Brand is practically unexplained.
1. Shortest Family Reunion Ever!
That brings us to the fact that Cooper has been out in space for years and has finally returned to meet his daughter, and it just doesn’t make sense how short that reunion scene is. She practically sends him right back out in space again. And, the rest of the family being so unbothered by the whole situation seems like a huge plot hole in Interstellar.