Long Distance: The Unexpected Sci-Fi Thriller Hidden on Hulu You Need to Watch Now
Long Distance: The Sci-Fi Movie You Didn’t Know You Needed Now Streaming on Hulu
If you’re browsing Hulu’s newly added movies and looking for something fresh yet under the radar, Long Distance might just be your next favorite watch. This sci-fi survival thriller starring Anthony Ramos (known from Hamilton and Ironheart) popped up unexpectedly after years of delays and name changes. Originally titled Distant, the film was shot back in 2020 but spent years stuck on the shelf before finally landing on Hulu.
- The movie’s backstory and long delay
- Plot and main characters
- Why it’s worth watching despite the wait
A Bumpy Road to Streaming
Long Distance was meant to be a big release distributed by Universal Pictures, with several planned premiere dates from 2022 to early 2024. However, it quietly disappeared from calendars and only received a small theatrical release in Vietnam before hitting Hulu during the July 4 holiday weekend — without any major promotion. The film was directed by Will Speck and Josh Gordon, who are known for comedies like Blades of Glory and Office Christmas Party, making this space thriller a surprising shift for them.
What’s Long Distance About?
The story follows Andy, an asteroid miner played by Anthony Ramos, who crash-lands on an alien planet during cryo sleep. Stranded, he must navigate dangerous terrain to rescue Naomi (Naomi Scott from Smile 2), the only other survivor trapped in an escape pod. Along the way, Andy deals with his AI assistant LEONARD (voiced by Zachary Quinto), hostile alien creatures, and the psychological strain of isolation — think of it as a sci-fi mix between The Martian and Cast Away, with a splash of Alien for good measure.
Despite familiar survival tropes, the film stands out thanks to Ramos’ engaging performance and the chemistry between the two leads, who communicate through oxygen tubes. The practical effects and atmospheric visuals add to the tension and immersion, making the 86-minute movie feel like a compact, well-crafted adventure.
Why You Should Give It a Chance
Long Distance might not be a blockbuster spectacle designed for IMAX, nor a low-budget direct-to-streaming flick. It’s somewhere in between, which may explain its complicated release history. However, it delivers a solid sci-fi experience with enough thrills, heart, and smart touches to keep you hooked. The film’s themes of corporate expendability and personal trauma add depth beyond the typical survival story.
If you enjoy character-driven sci-fi with a survival twist and don’t mind a smaller scale, Long Distance is a hidden gem worth discovering. It’s now available to stream on Hulu, waiting to be found by viewers who appreciate a good space survival story with a personal touch.
Long Distance is currently streaming on
Hulu.
