Don't Look Up stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence have reflected on the new Netflix movie's rather bleak conclusion.
The apocalypse film sees the two play a pair of scientists who desperately try to warn the world of a humanity-destroying comet hurtling towards Earth – though they struggle to convince those in power.
In the end, the missions to destroy the comet fail, and it hits Earth with only a select few wealthy individuals escaping in spaceship heading to the nearest Earth-like planet.
Speaking to the Los Angeles Times, DiCaprio admitted: "The end of this movie gets really dark, and had it not had that tonal shift, I don't think we would have been as excited as we were to do it.
"You can never tell what a movie is going to do culturally, but the end of this film is really a smack in the face."
Lawrence further reflected on the climate change allegory of Don't Like Up, saying: "I'm sure I can say this on behalf of pretty much everybody: It's extremely frustrating to be a citizen that believes in climate change and is scared, but I'm not a part of it – you know, I can't buy a senator – so we're just kind of helpless.
"And finally, this [project] came along and it was just funny and urgent."
The movie's ending also sees their characters Dr Randall Mindy and Kate Dibiasky poignantly spend their final moments together with friends and loved ones over dinner, something that attracted DiCaprio to the project.
"That's what I loved about the ending, because I felt like that's ultimately how I would respond," the star went on.
"We're a communal species, and I would want to be around people I love and ignore the impending Armageddon. That dinner table scene is really what clinched it for me."
Don't Look Up is available to watch now on Netflix.
Sam is a freelance reporter and sub-editor who has a particular interest in movies, TV and music. After completing a journalism Masters at City University, London, Sam joined Digital Spy as a reporter, and has also freelanced for publications such as NME and Screen International. Sam, who also has a degree in Film, can wax lyrical about everything from Lord of the Rings to Love Is Blind, and is equally in his element crossing every 't' and dotting every 'i' as a sub-editor.
