Club Benefits
From "The Mandalorian" to "The Last of Us" and "The Fantastic Four: First Steps," Pedro Pascal seemingly cannot escape his destiny as Hollywood's favorite father figure. The 2018 sci-fi sleeper hit "Prospect" is no exception, featuring the actor taking yet another young'un under his wing to forge a surprisingly heartwarming connection amidst a cold, indifferent universe. The best part? This gritty space western is currently streaming for free on YouTube.
As the feature-length evolution of Zeek Earl and Chris Caldwell's Kickstarter-funded short, "Prospect" was produced on a $4 million budget, or a mere fraction of a single "The Last of Us" episode. However, what it might lack in blockbuster CGI, it more than compensates for with rich character drama and ruminative themes. A pre-fame Sophie Thatcher ("Yellowjackets") stars alongside the ever-sensational Pascal, as the duo embarks on an "us-versus-the-world" mission that would make Joel and Ellie — or even Din Djarin and Grogu — green with envy.
If you prefer your science fiction smart, stripped-down, and atmospheric, there’s no need to dig any deeper than this hidden gem. "Prospect" is a masterclass in world-building that won’t cost you a single cent to enjoy.
What is 'Prospect' about?
Set in a distant future where humanity explores the cosmos with blue-collar grit, "Prospect" follows teenager Cee (Thatcher) and her father, Damon (Jay Duplass). As prospectors searching for valuable gems to secure their survival, they land on a lush but toxic alien moon. The descent is rough, damaging their spacecraft and leaving them stranded, but the setback feels fortuitous when they stumble upon a dig site containing a precious gem that could change their lives forever. While Cee urges her father to take the win and go, Damon’s ambition gets the better of him.
This greed leads to a tense standoff with Ezra (Pascal) and his silent companion, Number Two (Luke Pitzrick). Though Ezra initially attempts a robbery, the parties broker a shaky truce when Damon reveals he’s been hired to excavate the fabled "Queen’s Lair" — a site rumored to be bursting with riches beyond their wildest dreams. Damon proposes a partnership to share the spoils, but a desperate double-cross ensues, resulting in the deaths of both Number Two and Damon in the chaotic fallout.
Cee retreats to the damaged ship, but with no way to launch, she is eventually found by Ezra. After a period of volatile hesitation and mutual distrust, they strike a new pact: they will navigate the moon's perils together to find the mercenaries at Queen’s Lair and hitch a ride off-world. It sounds like a simple extraction, but in the world of "Prospect," nothing is easy. The moon’s harsh environment is a constant threat, yet it pales in comparison to humanity’s worst instincts. Throughout their journey, Cee and Ezra must constantly look over their shoulders, wondering if they can truly trust the person holding the other end of the rope.
Why you should watch 'Prospect' on YouTube for free
As with the best entries in the genre, "Prospect" holds up a piercing mirror to society. This isn't a story of grand galactic discovery or alien spectacle; it’s an exploration of how history tends to repeat itself. Despite advanced technology and the expansion of the human footprint across the stars, resources remain scarce because of systemic greed and the inevitable creation of hierarchies. We watch as morality takes a backseat to the scramble for survival, suggesting that humans rarely learn from their past mistakes.
Yet, within this bleak landscape, there remains a glimmer of hope that humanity hasn't entirely disappeared down a black hole of apathy. Much like the dynamic between Ellie and Joel in "The Last of Us"—minus the fungal zombies—Cee and Ezra begin their journey as enemies with genuine reasons for hostility. Forced together by necessity, they slowly begin to bond as they glimpse each other’s scars and hardships. Their loyalties are tested repeatedly, and the temptation to take the selfish path is always present, but the film serves as a poignant reminder that human connection is more valuable than any "precious cargo."
Minimalistic in style but heavy in substance, Pedro Pascal and Sophie Thatcher harvest "all the feels" in "Prospect." It is a film about second chances and finding agency in the raw deals life throws your way. By the credits, you’re left with the faint hope that there might be a future for humanity after all. At the very least, it provides definitive proof that Pascal was born to play the reluctant guardian.
Stream "Prospect" on YouTube for free
Follow Tom's Guide on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our up-to-date news, analysis, and reviews in your feeds. Subscribe to Tom's Guide on YouTube and follow Tom's Guide Entertainment on TikTok and Instagram.
More From Tom's Guide
You must confirm your public display name before commenting
Please logout and then login again, you will then be prompted to enter your display name.
