Don't Look Up
What disaster is the movie’s central metaphor for?
Climate change / ignored global crises
What job does Gerry Lane have before the outbreak?
Former UN investigator
What do the doppelgängers wear?
Red jumpsuits and scissors
What season/celebration is the story set during?
Christmas
What is the main subject of the documentary?
Social media’s impact on society
In the Oval Office scene, what technique shows the President dismissing the scientists?
Shot-reverse-shot & close-ups
What technique makes the Jerusalem wall zombie attack so tense?
Fast-paced editing + wide shots of swarming zombies
What symbol is introduced in the opening “Hands Across America” ad?
Unity and class divide
What are “cookies” in the episode?
Digital copies of human consciousness
In the family dinner scene, what does the son’s behaviour show?
Addictive design of social media
What does the comet symbolise beyond climate change?
Humanity’s denial, greed, and distraction by media
What does the scene in South Korea (zombies reacting to sound) symbolise?
Fragility of human systems and dependence on communication
Why are rabbits shown in cages underground?
Symbol of endless reproduction, lab experiments, and dehumanisation
Why is cheery Christmas music played over scenes of psychological torture?
To create irony and highlight horror of casual cruelty
What film technique is used to explain algorithms clearly?
Animation/graphics with personified algorithm characters
Why is the dinner scene at the end filmed in warm lighting and calm pacing?
To contrast human intimacy with chaos, emphasising what really matters at the end
Why is the WHO lab sequence especially suspenseful?
Contrast of silence/slow pacing with sudden zombie threat—builds dread
How does the final twist (Adelaide/Red switch) change our view of “monsters”?
It blurs good vs evil, showing oppression is about circumstance, not nature
How does the technology in the episode reflect real-world concerns?
It critiques surveillance, exploitation of AI, and digital ethics.
What ethical issue is raised by tech companies monetising attention?
Exploitation of users → polarisation, misinformation, mental health harm
How does satire as a style make the film more effective than a straight disaster movie?
Satire exposes absurdity in politics/media, making the warning more relatable and biting
What broader theme about global cooperation does the film highlight through Gerry’s journey?
Humanity’s survival depends on international collaboration and sacrifice
What theme about privilege and oppression does Jordan Peele reinforce through the tethered?
That privilege is built on the suffering of others, and duality defines society
Why does the episode end with Joe being “blocked” forever?
Shows extreme dehumanisation and punishment through technology, a critique of moral/legal systems
How does blending documentary interviews with fictional drama strengthen the film’s argument?
It makes abstract tech issues personal and relatable, reinforcing the warning