The 2023 sci-fi romantic comedy If You Were the Last centers on an intimate and high-stakes premise: two astronauts stranded in a broken-down shuttle drifting between Jupiter and Saturn. With the odds of rescue appearing nonexistent, the film relies heavily on its small cast to carry the emotional and comedic weight of a three-year isolation. The cast of If You Were the Last is led by Anthony Mackie and Zoë Chao, whose performances define the film's charming and lo-fi aesthetic.

The Main Cast of If You Were the Last

The film's narrative is primarily driven by a duo, but several key actors appear as the story expands to include life on Earth and the history of the mission.

  • Anthony Mackie as Adam Gherrity
  • Zoë Chao as Jane Kuang
  • Natalie Morales as Savannah Gherrity
  • Geoff Stults as Tom Wright
  • Missi Pyle as Megan Benson

Supporting roles include:

  • Kaleka as Madame President
  • Jason Bayle as NASA Spokesperson
  • Langston Fishburne as NASA Administrator
  • Sarah Voigt as Laura
  • Taylor Shurte as Reporter

Anthony Mackie as Adam Gherrity: A Departure from Heroics

Anthony Mackie, widely recognized for his high-octane roles in major franchises, delivers a refreshing and grounded performance as Adam Gherrity. In If You Were the Last, Adam is a NASA botanist who finds himself in an unimaginable predicament. Unlike the typical stoic or hyper-capable sci-fi protagonist, Adam is portrayed with a distinct vulnerability and optimism.

In our analysis of his performance, Mackie succeeds by leaning into the "everyman" quality of Adam. He manages the shuttle’s biological life—tending to chickens and a goat—with a domesticity that feels at odds with the cold vacuum of space. This contrast is central to the film’s tone. Adam is the one who first suggests that he and Jane should explore a sexual relationship, not out of predatory intent, but as a practical, human solution to the crushing weight of loneliness.

Mackie’s portrayal focuses on the nuance of long-term isolation. He conveys Adam's desperation through small gestures—his obsession with pop tarts, his reliance on music, and his genuine fear after watching films like Alien. The performance is a masterclass in controlled charisma, proving that Mackie does not need a shield or a flight suit to hold a viewer's attention.

Zoë Chao as Jane Kuang: The Pragmatic Core

Zoë Chao stars as Jane Kuang, the shuttle’s engineer and the pragmatic counterpart to Adam’s optimism. While Adam looks after the living things, Jane is tasked with the grueling and often hopeless job of spacecraft maintenance and attempting to reestablish communications.

Jane is a complex character who serves as the film’s emotional anchor. Chao plays her with a sharp wit and a protective barrier. Her initial rejection of Adam’s proposal for sex is not just a plot point but an insight into her character's internal logic. She values their friendship and fears that a physical relationship might destroy the only stable thing she has left in the universe.

One of the most impressive aspects of Chao's performance is her ability to communicate the psychological toll of their mission. Throughout the film, we see Jane grappling with the guilt of a past tragedy involving their third crew member. Chao balances the comedic banter with Adam against the silent, heavy moments of realization. Her chemistry with Mackie is palpable, creating a dynamic that feels like a real, lived-in relationship developed over 1,000 days of confinement.

The Chemistry Between Mackie and Chao

The success of If You Were the Last hinges entirely on the rapport between Anthony Mackie and Zoë Chao. Because the majority of the film takes place within the cramped quarters of a shuttle designed with a whimsical, DIY aesthetic, the actors have nowhere to hide.

The "lo-fi" nature of the set—featuring papier-mâché models and analog-style buttons—requires a specific type of acting. The performers must treat these stylized props with total sincerity. When Adam and Jane engage in their daily cardio dance routines, the chemistry is infectious. It doesn't feel like two actors performing a choreographed scene; it feels like two friends who have invented rituals to keep their sanity intact.

Their debate over whether to "become more than friends" is the heart of the movie. It is handled with a blend of screwball comedy and genuine romantic tension. The transition from platonic companions to lovers is portrayed not as a sudden spark, but as a gradual erosion of boundaries necessitated by their environment. This progression is made believable by the subtle shifts in how Mackie and Chao interact—the way they lean into each other during film viewings or the softening of their verbal sparring.

Natalie Morales and Geoff Stults: The Earthbound Perspective

While the film spends much of its time in space, the third act brings the story back to Earth, introducing the spouses left behind.

Natalie Morales as Savannah Gherrity

Natalie Morales plays Savannah, Adam’s wife. Unlike the trope of the grieving spouse who remains frozen in time, Savannah has moved on. She is an aspiring politician who eventually becomes a governor. Morales brings a sophisticated energy to the role, representing the world that continued to turn while Adam was "paused" in space. Her reunion with Adam is fraught with the awkwardness of two people who no longer fit into each other's lives, a difficult dynamic that Morales navigates with grace.

Geoff Stults as Tom Wright

Geoff Stults plays Tom, Jane’s husband. Tom is portrayed as a more sedentary figure, someone who Jane initially thought would wait forever. However, the reality of Earth is more complicated. Stults portrays Tom with a quiet honesty, revealing that he, too, had to find a way to live in the absence of his partner. The interactions between Tom and Jane highlight the film's theme that shared trauma (or the lack thereof) can create an unbridgeable gap between people.

Missi Pyle and the Mystery of Megan Benson

Missi Pyle appears as Megan Benson, the third astronaut on the mission. Although her physical presence in the "present-day" timeline of the shuttle is limited to a grim reminder near the window, she appears in crucial flashbacks.

Benson represents the darker side of long-term space travel. Her character's descent into "space madness" provides the necessary tension that prevents the film from becoming too lighthearted. Missi Pyle, known for her comedic range, utilizes a more intense and unpredictable energy here. Her role is vital because it explains the stakes: if Adam and Jane don't find a way to connect and support each other, they risk the same psychological collapse that claimed Benson.

The flashback scene involving Jane having to make a life-or-death decision regarding Benson is the film's most dramatic moment. It adds a layer of grit to Jane’s character and explains why she is so hesitant to let her guard down with Adam.

The Supporting Cast and the NASA Atmosphere

The world of NASA and the public reaction to the astronauts' return are fleshed out by several supporting actors.

  • Kaleka (Madame President): Provides the political backdrop for the mission’s rescue. Her presence elevates the stakes, reminding the audience that Adam and Jane aren't just two people in a box; they are national symbols.
  • Langston Fishburne (NASA Administrator): Represents the institutional side of space travel. His performance emphasizes the bureaucracy and the cold calculations involved in deep-space missions.
  • Jason Bayle (NASA Spokesperson): Manages the media frenzy surrounding the "miraculous" return of the astronauts, highlighting the disconnect between the public's heroic perception and the private, messy reality of the survivors.

These characters serve to ground the film's whimsical elements. While the shuttle looks like a cardboard creation, the world outside—represented by these actors—is sharp, professional, and demanding.

Behind the Scenes: The Creative Vision

The performances in If You Were the Last are inextricably linked to the direction of Kristian Mercado and the writing of Angela Bourassa.

Kristian Mercado’s Direction

Mercado chose a "lo-fi" aesthetic that prioritized character over CGI. By using physical props and a colorful, almost storybook-like design, he created an environment where the actors could be more expressive. The directorial choice to focus on long takes during conversations allowed Mackie and Chao to build a rhythm that feels authentic to two people who have spent years talking to only one another.

Angela Bourassa’s Screenplay

The script is dialogue-heavy, functioning almost like a stage play set in space. Bourassa’s writing provides the actors with a balance of existential dread and witty banter. The dialogue avoids the clichés of "hard sci-fi" in favor of exploring human relationships. The "three reasons not to have sex" list provided by Jane is a prime example of how the writing uses structure to reveal character traits that the actors then bring to life.

How the Cast Handles the Film's Visual Style

One of the most unique aspects of this production is how the cast interacts with the visual environment. In many modern sci-fi films, actors spend their time on green screens, looking at tennis balls. In If You Were the Last, the environment is tactile.

When Adam tends to his chickens, he is interacting with real animals in a set that feels like a cozy, if cluttered, apartment. This "lived-in" feel assists the actors in creating a sense of routine. The cardio dance routines, performed in a space that looks like it was decorated by a creative child, allow the actors to lean into a sense of play. This playfulness is essential; it makes the romance feel organic rather than forced.

The contrast between the whimsical shuttle and the stark, modern interiors of the NASA facilities on Earth is also reflected in the acting styles. In space, Mackie and Chao are loose and expressive. On Earth, their performances become more rigid and guarded, reflecting their characters' struggle to reintegrate into a society that feels alien to them.

The Impact of the Performers on the Rom-Com Genre

If You Were the Last is often cited as a breath of fresh air in the romantic comedy genre, and that is largely due to its casting. By placing two charismatic leads in a high-concept but low-budget setting, the film proves that emotional resonance doesn't require massive set pieces.

Anthony Mackie’s ability to play a romantic lead who is both funny and deeply sensitive is a highlight of his career. Similarly, Zoë Chao’s performance solidifies her as a formidable talent capable of leading a feature film. Together, they subvert the typical rom-com tropes. Their "meet-cute" happened years before the movie started; their "grand gesture" involves navigational calculations and makeshift pop tarts.

What to Know About the Cast Roles

For those looking for a quick breakdown of who plays who and their significance in the film:

Actor Character Role Description
Anthony Mackie Adam Gherrity A botanist who maintains the shuttle's life forms and proposes the romantic shift.
Zoë Chao Jane Kuang An engineer who focuses on survival and navigates the trauma of the mission.
Natalie Morales Savannah Gherrity Adam's wife on Earth who has built a successful political career in his absence.
Geoff Stults Tom Wright Jane's husband who represents the life she left behind and the changes that occurred.
Missi Pyle Megan Benson The third crew member whose fate serves as a warning for the leads.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Cast

Who is the main actor in If You Were the Last?

The film is co-led by Anthony Mackie and Zoë Chao. Both actors receive equal screen time and are essential to the story's progression.

Is Anthony Mackie playing a superhero in this movie?

No. While Mackie is famous for his role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, in this film, he plays a human botanist named Adam Gherrity. There are no superpowers involved; the focus is on human emotion and survival.

Where have I seen Zoë Chao before?

Zoë Chao is known for her roles in various television series and films, often bringing a distinct comedic and dramatic flair to her characters. Her performance in If You Were the Last is considered one of her most significant lead roles in a feature film.

Does the movie have a large cast?

The cast is relatively small. Aside from the two leads and the two spouses, most other roles are supporting characters who appear in the final act of the film or in brief flashbacks.

Who directed the cast in If You Were the Last?

The film was directed by Kristian Mercado, who is known for his unique visual style and ability to blend different genres, such as sci-fi and comedy.

Conclusion

The cast of If You Were the Last provides a masterclass in how to sustain a narrative through character-driven performance. Anthony Mackie and Zoë Chao anchor the film with a chemistry that is both humorous and heartbreaking, making the absurd premise of a "papier-mâché" spaceship feel deeply real. Supported by strong performances from Natalie Morales, Geoff Stults, and Missi Pyle, the film explores the complexities of love, isolation, and the passage of time. Whether they are dancing in a cramped shuttle or facing the daunting reality of a return to Earth, the actors ensure that If You Were the Last is more than just a sci-fi gimmick—it is a poignant exploration of what it means to choose another person when the world, or the universe, is falling apart.