Two of Television's Hottest Stars United in an Underrated Sci-Fi Thriller

Published Oct 3, 2026, 8:14 AM EDT

Bradley is an experienced and award winning journalist and all around entertainment fanatic. He is a passionate film and TV fan and long time attendee of San Diego Comic Con. 

Two of Hollywood's hottest stars are Pedro Pascal and Sophie Thatcher. Both have starred in various hit TV shows and films over the last few years- Pascal in series like The Last of Us and The Mandalorian, Thatcher in Yellowjackets and the surprise hit film Companion. But while many know them for their more recent works, the two now superstars made their splash on the big screen in an indie sci-fi film, Prospect.

Released in 2018 and based on the short film of the same name, Prospect is set on an alien planet with air toxic to humans that is also home to a valuable substance. As such, many brave the planet's surface to dig up the material, including a young woman (Thatcher) and her father (Jay Duplass). But the planet is also home to some unsavory prospectors who want the score for themselves, one of whom (Pascal) proposes an alliance with the young woman to strike it rich and get off the planet alive.

An early showcase of two future stars.

Image via Dust (Gunpowder & Sky)

Though Prospect has a very small cast, the filmmakers chose wisely in their casting choices and unintentionally created two new stars. Thatcher in particular has most of the film's weight on her shoulders, with multiple scenes of just her alone, carrying the film, but she rises to the challenge, much like she did in Companion. Her character is smart, spunky, and resourceful, even as she teams up with the more questionable character played by Pascal.

Pascal, on the other hand, is clearly just a man trying his best to survive, to the point that he commits horrible acts of violence and is willing to screw over other prospectors, but meeting Thatcher's character brings something out of him. Much like Pascal's roles in The Mandalorian and The Last of Us, he has a hard exterior that is chipped away by taking in an outsider that ends up bringing out the best in him. The film almost acts as a precursor to his future characters in a way.

Creating a unique sci-fi world.

Image Via Dust (Gunpowder & Sky)

Not only does the film have future star power in the form of its leads, it also has a good story in a well-crafted world. Despite the film's low budget, the directing duo of Chris Caldwell and Zeek Earl, who also created the original short film, made every penny count, creating unique designs for the spacesuits, weapons, and other props. The filmmakers also set the film predominantly outside in the wilderness, creating an eerie landscape for an alien world that feels otherworldly and dangerous despite being filmed on Earth. The choice of location is everything here and the film is better for it.

More so, the harsh landscape creates obstacles for the characters to overcome and allows opportunities for them to trek long distances and talk to each other, learning more about them. Though the bonds of trust between these two characters is very weak at first, as they continue on their journey, they learn more about each other and learn to trust each other to survive. And since the air is toxic, the helmets they wear create a physical barrier between them despite the emotional barrier eroding throughout the film.

As Pedro Pascal and Sophie Thatcher climb up the rungs of stardom, it's only natural for fans to want to see more of them and want to revisit their past works. Prospect provides a great sample of the talent from both actors and shows why they are the stars that they are today. Although the film has largely been forgotten, perhaps fans of its stars will give it the credit it deserves.