I watch Interstellar every New Years Eve. It saved my life

I’ve had this tradition since 2015. Every New Years Eve, at 9pm I begin Interstellar. It finishes around 11:45pm and I sit for 15 minutes until it’s the New Year. I used to watch it by myself but have since watched it with my wife and siblings.

2015 was the worst year of my life and I went to go visit my brother to get away from everything. He suggested that I watch “this new space film” (since I love science fiction and space) and as soon as we finished it, I was hooked.

I spent the next three weeks staying up until 2am researching all I could about the film, time dilation, black holes, and space. I even read some work of Kip Thorne. I think this obsession saved my life. 2015 was the year that all that could go bad did go bad. I was severely depressed, lost, and contemplated suicide. This movie saved my life because if I did not spend my nights obsessing over it, I think I would have prevented myself from waking up in the morning. I only woke up so I could read about the film and its contents more.

Everything about this movie is mesmerizing. The cinematography, score, lines, acting. But what I appreciate most is the theme that ‘love is the only thing that can transcend both time and space’ — that stuck with me. Even in my moments of despair I knew that out there, somewhere, someone loved me. I knew that I mattered (to my parents, friends, etc). even if I didn’t feel like I did. And that was enough for me.

Each year I watch Interstellar to remind me of how far I have come and I hope one day to meet anyone associated with this movie and its creation so I can thank them for saving my life.

If you have a spare few hours on New Years Eve, I welcome you to join me in my annual viewing at 9pm on December 31st. We may not know each other but we can still experience a film through time and space together.

Edit: I didn’t expect such a positive response. As such, I’ve started a subreddit (r/Interstellar_NYE) dedicated to a virtual viewing party on New Years Eve. It’s an open invitation for anyone.