History YMMV / DontLookUp

** Given how nonchalant Isherwell was at [[spoiler:the failure of the mission, and having a high-tech backup plan]], is it possible he [[spoiler:intended for it to fail and have the comet wipe out the Earth just so he could be the savior of a select handful]]. Additionally, [[spoiler: the failure of the joint China-Russia-India deflection mission may not have been a testamenet to those countries not being as capable as the US, but may have been deliberate US intervention to secure resources, which is TruthInTelevision]].

** Given how nonchalant Isherwell was at [[spoiler:the failure of the mission, and having a high-tech backup plan]], is it possible he [[spoiler:intended for it to fail and have the comet wipe out the Earth just so he could be the savior of a select handful]].

** Given how nonchalant Isherwell was at [[spoiler:the failure of the mission, and having a high-tech backup plan]], is it possible he [[spoiler:intended for it to fail and have the Asteroid wipe out the Earth just so he could be the savior of a select handful]].

* AlternateCharacterInterpretation: Does Orleans offer Mindy (who has publicly denounced her) [[spoiler:two seats on the SleeperShip]] because she wants to exploit him (given the general uselessness of the ship's passengers) or as a PetTheDog moment? Her general personality suggests the former, but her lack of frustration [[spoiler:when he refuses]] could indicate the latter.

* MoralEventHorizon: Isherwell crosses it when [[spoiler:he fires Dr. Mindy's colleagues from his BEAD project for asking too many questions and lets the project go on without adequate review, dooming the entire planet to destruction.]] While [[spoiler:his prior decision to abort the mission was already incredibly unconscionable, Peter ''could'' have potentially avoided crossing the MEH if his plan to safely destroy the comet was reliable enough to work. However, his [[CannotTakeCriticism treatment]] of the scientists on the team as well as the existence of his SleeperShip show that he ''knew'' that his plan could fail, and any concern he had for humanity's survival took a backseat to his delusions of grandeur and the chance to ''possibly'' make money.]]

* CatharsisFactor: The mid-credits scene. [[spoiler:Given that the rich elites on board (especially Isherwell and Orlean) were directly responsible for ending all life on Earth, seeing them [[EpicFail completely fail]] to properly survive on the alien planet they were meant to escape to feels like a KarmicDeath. While the ending is unquestionably bleak and depressing, viewers can at least take some solace in the fact that the rich ghouls ''didn't'' get the last laugh.]]

* SuperfluousSolo: A non musical version. Riley Bina and DJ Chello are minor characters who have no effect on the plot, but perform a whole musical number anyway. While the scene shows the support growing for Randall and Kate's campaign, that was already displayed, and the extended song foes nothing to really alter or add to this. Ultimately "Just Look Up" appears to just happen because when you have Ariana Grande and Kid Cudi in the same movie, you might as well have them do a song.

* IdiotPlot: Possibly invoked. The plot basically requires all but a handful of people to be greedy, ignorant morons just so [[spoiler:the comet can hit Earth and kill everyone]].

* AccidentalAesop: '''Always''' field test your devices before you use them, especially when incredibly high stakes are involved. In Peter Ishwell's case, he didn’t even bother to do so, [[spoiler:which resulted in the BASH drones failing to destroy the comet]].
** Actually they address this. Mindy notes that anyone raising questions or concerns gets removed from the project.

* MoralEventHorizon: Isherwell crosses it when [[spoiler:he fires Dr. Mindy's colleagues from his BEAD project for asking too many questions and lets the project go on without adequate review, dooming the entire planet to destruction.]] While [[spoiler:his prior decision to abort the mission was already incredibly unconscionable, Peter ''could'' have potentially avoided crossing the MEH if his plan to safely destroy the comet was reliable enough to work. However, his treatment of the scientists on board as well as the existence of his SleeperShip show that he ''knew'' that his plan could fail, and any concern he had for humanity's survival took a backseat to his delusions of grandeur and the chance to ''possibly'' make money.]]

* DontShootTheMessage: While they agree with the message of the film, more than a few critics and audiences were not amused by the movie's incredibly blunt and over-the-top take on human avarice and willful ignorance.an

* DontShootTheMessage: While they agree with the message of the film, more than a few critics and audiences were not amused by the movie's incredibly blunt and over-the-top take on human avarice and willful ignorance.

* CriticalDissonance: Critics were mixed, seeing the film as well-made and well-intentioned, but also heavy-handed and mean-spirited, garnering the film a 56% on Website/RottenTomatoes. It still managed to debut at #1 on Netflix, and while not ''universally'' loved with audiences, the audience score on the same site was a much better 77%. It was also included on AFI's and NBR's respective "Best Movies of 2021" lists, among others. One group that unanimously adored it were climate scientists, who felt that some of the criticisms of the movie revealed more about the people making them than about the film itself. It's to the point that [[https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidrvetter/2021/12/28/why-sneering-critics-dislike-netflixs-dont-look-up-but-climate-scientists-love-it/?sh=394d26ef2ee8 "critics vs. scientists"]] became a common narrative after it debuted, ironically mirroring the in-universe frustration that the main characters come to have with the media themselves. Politically active viewers on the left in general love the film, recommending it highly to others (even if it's an uncomfortable watch) because they feel SomeAnvilsNeedToBeDropped.

* SugarWiki/FunnyMoments:
** [[SophisticatedAsHell The lyrics of]] ''Just Look Up'' start to get...a little on the nose.
--->''Look up, what he's really trying to say\\
Is get your head out of your ass\\
Listen to the goddamn qualified scientists\\
We really fucked it up, fucked it up this time''
** According to Isherwell's data, President Orlean will die at the hands of a bronteroc. The amusing part comes from the fact that even ''Isherwell'' has no clue what a bronteroc is.
** Kate, Randall and Teddy being apprehended by the President's forces the day after going on The Daily Rip. Special mention goes to the reaction of Kate (who is dumbfounded as to why her captor would pretend to be a blind man).

* TearJerker:
** Regardless of how you feel about the movie, the film's final scene where [[spoiler:the main characters are sitting and having a quiet dinner one last time before the comet destroys the Earth is heartbreaking. Especially the characters trying to drown out the apocalypse seconds away from them by talking about menial topics like coffee... only to be taken out by the shockwave]]. SmashToBlack. The score further compliments this emotion very poignantly.
** Yule's prayer also deserves a mention. In a satire that ruthlessly mocks politics and certain issues, it's downright poignant to see religion portrayed in a comforting and positive light. Even better is that unlike some comedies, it's not made fun of.
** For all his flaws, it's hard not to feel sorry for [[spoiler: Jason after his own mother abandons him to save herself (she didn't seem to do it intentionally, but by the time she realises she forgot about him she makes no attempt to go back.) The shot of him sitting alone in mission control believing he's about to die whilst still in total denial that his mother would leave him is actually quite heartbreaking. Even though he does end up surviving the comet strike to become the last living being on Earth, he's still desperately holding on to the hope that his mom has to be somewhere out there and will come back for him.]]

* SpiritualAdaptation:
** It's what you'd get if ''Film/DrStrangelove'' was made during late 2010s[=/=]early 2020s.
** Some people jokingly note that this movie is "the Netflix adaptation of ''Manga/{{Remina}}''". Exclusion of CosmicHorrorStory aspect of Creator/JunjiIto's manga aside, ''Don't Look Up'' shares some similar plot points: an incoming planet-killer named after the main heroine, [[HumansAreMorons a human populace behaving irrationally after learning about it]], pointed satire of celebrity culture, and [[spoiler:the rich elites successfully escape the destruction of Earth [[KarmaHoudiniWarranty only to meet a more painful demise on another planet]]]].

* MoralEventHorizon: Isherwell crosses it when [[spoiler:he fires Dr. Mindy's colleagues from his BEAD project for asking too many questions and lets the project go on without adequate review, dooming the entire planet to destruction.]] While [[spoiler:his prior decision to abort the mission was already incredibly unconscionable, Peter ''could'' have potentially avoided crossing the MEH if his backup plan to safely destroy the comet was reliable enough to work; however, his treatment of the scientists on board as well as the existence of his SleeperShip show that he truly didn't have a care about the survival of Earth and that he ''knew'' that his plan could fail.]]

* MoralEventHorizon: Isherwell crosses it when [[spoiler:he fires Dr. Mindy's colleagues from his BEAD project for asking too many questions and lets the project go on without adequate review, dooming the entire planet to destruction.]] While [[spoiler:his prior decision to abort the mission was already incredibly unconscionable, Peter ''could'' have potentially avoided crossing the MEH if his backup plan to safely destroy the comet were safe and reliable; however, his treatment of the scientists on board as well as the existence of his SleeperShip show that he truly didn't have a care about the survival of Earth and that he ''knew'' that his plan could fail.]]

* FriendlyFandoms: Because of the movie's leftist messaging, many of its fans also enjoy similar works that provide similarly leaning social and political commentary such as ''Film/GetOut'', ''Film/SorryToBotherYou'', ''Film/{{Parasite}}'' and ''Series/SquidGame''.

* FriendlyFandoms: Because of the movie's leftist messaging, many of its fans also enjoy similar works that provide similarly leaning social and political commentary such as ''Film/GetOut'', ''Film/SorryToBotherYou'', ''Film/Parasite'' and ''Series/SquidGame''.

* MoralEventHorizon: Isherwell crosses it when [[spoiler:he fires Dr. Mindy's colleagues from his BEAD project for asking too many questions and lets the project go on without adequate review, dooming the entire planet to destruction.]] While [[spoiler:his prior decision to abort the mission was already incredibly greedy and dangerous, it ''could'' have potentially been excused by his backup plan to safely destroy the comet; however, his treatment of the scientists on board as well as the existence of his SleeperShip show that he truly didn't have a care about the survival of Earth and that he ''knew'' that his plan could fail.]]

--> ''Look up, what he's really trying to say''
--> ''Is get your head out of your ass''
--> ''Listen to the goddamn qualified scientists''
--> ''We really fucked it up, fucked it up this time''

* MoralEventHorizon: Isherwell crosses it when [[spoiler:he fires Dr. Mindy's colleagues from his BEAD project for asking too many questions and lets the project go on without adequate review, dooming the entire planet to destruction.]] While [[spoiler:his prior decision to abort the mission was already incredibly greedy and dangerous, it ''could'' have potentially been excused by his backup plan to safely destroy the comet; however, his treatment of the scientists on board as well as the existence of his SleeperShip show that he truly didn't have a care about the survival of Earth.]]

** Some people jokingly note that this movie is "the Netflix adaptation of ''Manga/HellstarRemina''". Exclusion of CosmicHorrorStory aspect of Creator/JunjiIto's manga aside, ''Don't Look Up'' shares some similar plot points: an incoming planet-killer named after the main heroine, [[HumansAreMorons a human populace behaving irrationally after learning about it]], pointed satire of celebrity culture, and [[spoiler:the rich elites successfully escape the destruction of Earth [[KarmaHoudiniWarranty only to meet a more painful demise on another planet]]]].

* CatharsisFactor: The mid-credits scene. [[spoiler:Given that the rich elites on board (especially Isherwell and Orlean) were directly responsible for ending all life on Earth, seeing them [[EpicFail completely fail]] to properly survive on the alien planet they were meant to escape to feels like a KarmicDeath. While the ending is unquestionably a bleak and depressing one, viewers can at least take some solace in the fact that the rich ghouls ''didn't'' get the last laugh.]]