Stories about lone astronauts exploring the cosmos have been recounted numerous times. Hollywood has produced several such narratives, including two recent blockbusters, Alfonso Cuarón's “Gravity” (2013) and Ridley Scott's “The Martian” (2015). What sets Ukrainian filmmaker Pavlo Ostrikov 's “ U Are the Universe ” apart is its poignant portrayal of love. While the backdrop might be futuristic, the emotions depicted are as timeless as humanity itself. The film delves into how its protagonist finds solace and embraces love amidst the inevitability of existence. The themes are expansive, but the film's success is rooted in the unique circumstances it presents.

In an unspecified future, Ukrainian trucker Andriy Melnyk (Volodymyr Kravchuk) is sent by a waste disposal company on missions to Castillo, Jupiter’s moon. What he’s tasked to dispose of — or the particulars of what happened on Earth to lead to this situation — is never specified; nor does it need to be. What matters for the film’s premise is he’s alone in space, with only a robot called Maxim (voiced by Leonid Popadko) to keep him company. Maxim is programmed to provide levity and keep Andriy alive at all costs — two undertakings that the robot finds hard to accomplish when Earth mysteriously explodes and it appears that Andriy becomes its only surviving organism.

This setup is presented quickly, in concise but entertaining scenes. The robot constantly communicates with Andiry, telling him bad jokes, dispensing medicine and alcohol, and navigating the spaceship. Andriy seems to mostly just be along for the ride, enjoying himself and living comfortably, albeit alone. Once the unexpected turn of events occurs, things take a dramatic shift. However, "U Are the Universe" maintains its lighthearted tone. Although devastated, Andriy also displays joy and indifference at being the last person alive. He's happy to have achieved something no one else has, including all those back on Earth who considered him a failure.

On a whim, he sends a ridiculous message ranting about the world and declaring himself "Captain Galaxy," assuming no one will see it. Unexpectedly, a French astronaut on Saturn responds. He's not alone after all. Through a translation program, they start exchanging messages. He learns that her name is Catherine (voiced by Alexia Depicker) and that she enjoys silly banter as much as he does. Before long, they find themselves engaged in lengthy conversations, forming a genuine connection.

For a film that primarily features one character interacting with voices on a machine, "U Are the Universe" is surprisingly engaging. The animated dialogue sounds authentic, even if you don't understand Ukrainian or French (the two languages spoken by the characters). There's no artificiality to these conversations; they flow naturally, sincerely, and delightfully, whether the characters are discussing simple pleasures like food or pondering their existence.

The film's strength is significantly bolstered by Kravchuk's performance. His portrayal is both captivating and uniquely appealing. He embodies the appearance of an ordinary individual, yet possesses such a magnetic presence that he transforms even the smallest, most whimsical actions into entertaining moments. Whether he's awkwardly dancing while intoxicated or pouring his heart out with genuine emotion, Kravchuk remains mesmerizing.

As Andriy and Catherine forge a connection, the film takes on a deeply moving romantic tone. It might seem predictable that the last two humans alive would develop feelings for each other. However, Ostrikov's screenplay avoids sentimentality and manages to make this love story feel genuine. It captures the awkwardness and misunderstandings, and ultimately, the pathos and heartbreaking ending — characteristics shared by all great love stories. Moreover, Ostrikov finds a way to visually engage the audience in the love story, even when one of the lovers is an disembodied, echoing voice.

With this genuinely moving story at its heart, “U Are the Universe” has the potential to reach a wider audience. The film, which premiered in the Discovery section at the Toronto International Film Festival and screened at Fantastic Fest , has solidified its status as a festival favorite due to its intriguing premise. However, its sparkling dialogue and inventive filmmaking will ensure its place among film enthusiasts beyond these initial screenings.