Objective:
Students will analyze the film Don’t Look Up as a satirical critique of political and media responses to crises, particularly in relation to climate change. They will explore themes of misinformation, distraction, and public apathy and apply their understanding to real-world issues.
Adam McKay’s Don’t Look Up is a biting satire that exposes political complacency and media distraction in the face of imminent catastrophe. Using a comet as an allegory for climate change, the film critiques the failure of those in power to respond effectively to urgent crises.
The story begins with two scientists discovering a massive asteroid hurtling toward Earth. While the official U.S. government policy is to deflect such threats, The Guardian, as noted in Werner Herzog’s documentary Fireball: Visitors from Darker Worlds, the real danger lies not in the comet itself but in humanity’s unwillingness to take decisive action. As the scientists, Randall and Kate, desperately try to sound the alarm, they are met with indifference, media sensationalism, and political maneuvering. Their frustration is palpable when they appear on a TV talk show, only to find that the public is more fixated on a celebrity breakup than on their dire warning.
The film delivers sharp political commentary, particularly through the character played by Jonah Hill, who represents a brash and dismissive political elite. Addressing his loyal base, he categorizes society into three groups: “You, the working class; us, the cool rich; and them…”—gesturing vaguely at those he sees as out-of-touch intellectuals, mocking their concerns about something as trivial (to him) as the end of the world.
With its sharp wit and unsettling parallels to real-world events, Don’t Look Up serves as both an urgent warning and a darkly humorous reflection of our media-driven culture. The Guardian.
1. Pre-Watching Discussion
Activate prior knowledge and introduce key themes.
- What do you know about satire? Can you think of examples from media or literature?
- How do you think the media influences public perception of crises?
- What role do politicians play in shaping public discourse on urgent issues?
- What do you think the title Don’t Look Up might symbolize?
2. Watching the Film
Students will watch Don’t Look Up on Netflix, either in class (if time allows) or as an assignment. While watching, they should take notes on:
- How the media and politicians handle the comet crisis.
- Examples of satire used in the film.
- How different characters represent different real-world groups (scientists, journalists, politicians, tech billionaires, etc.).
- Emotional reactions to key moments in the movie.
3. Post-Watching Analysis
Discuss key themes and analyze the film’s message.
- What elements of satire did you notice? What made them effective?
- How does the film depict the relationship between science, politics, and media?
- Do you see any parallels between the film’s events and real-world crises (e.g., climate change, COVID-19, or political misinformation)?
- How does the character of the Silicon Valley billionaire (Peter Isherwell) reflect real-life figures in tech and business?
- What emotions did the film evoke? Did it change how you think about media and political decision-making?
4. Writing Assignment
Students will write a reflective analysis on the film, incorporating their observations and discussion insights. Their response should include:
- A suitable title that reflects the theme of their analysis.
- A discussion of at least one major theme (e.g., political inaction, media distraction, misinformation, public apathy, or climate change allegory).
- Analysis of the satire used in the film and its effectiveness.
- Answers to the following questions:
- What important issues does the film raise?
- Could something similar happen in real life? Why or why not?
- Would you recommend this movie? Why or why not?
- Proper structure with an introduction, body paragraphs, and a conclusion.
5. Optional Extension Activities
Deepen the learning experience with creative and critical thinking exercises.
- Debate: Divide the class into groups and hold a debate on the following statement: The media is more focused on entertainment than on educating the public about urgent issues.
- Research Project: Have students research a real-world example of how the media handled a crisis (e.g., climate change, the COVID-19 pandemic, political scandals) and compare it to how Don’t Look Up portrays media responses.
- Creative Task: Ask students to create a satirical news article or short skit that mimics the tone of Don’t Look Up, applying satire to a real-world issue.
