Sometimes we take paths not because we want to, but because we need to. Whether influenced by grief, loss, or joy, our choices are always driven by something deeper.

Lost in Starlight follows Nan-young, an astronaut whose dream is to go to Mars. With her past tied closely to her mother, the mission feels like the only way she can move forward. Along the way, she meets Jay, a man who is lost in his own way. He wants to pursue music but remains stuck. Their love is like gravity — undeniable and unshakeable. Yet Nan-young still has to go to Mars. Will their connection remain the same? Will she even make the trip back?

Some may say it’s dramatic to shed a few tears over an animation. I did cry — not a full sob, but the kind of tears that come from a quietly breaking heart. The visuals and graphics are beautiful and epic, enhancing the film’s emotional weight. The depth it carries is portrayed with care. Through Nan-young and her father, we see different forms of grief. Each deals with it in their own way: one uses it as a driving force, while the other struggles to accept the outcome. Yet the film shows how those who love you will cheer you on, even if it means stepping back.