In an era dominated by superhero formulas and legacy sequels, Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets stands out as a flawed but fearless work of passion. It is a film that shouldn’t exist: a $180 million European art film disguised as a space opera. Besson bet everything on the idea that beauty and imagination could overcome narrative deficiencies.
Luc Besson’s 2017 space opera Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets stands as one of the most ambitious, visually stunning, and polarizing science fiction films of the 21st century. Adapted from the groundbreaking French comic series Valérian and Laureline by Pierre Christin and Jean-Claude Mézières, the film represents a lifelong passion project for Besson. With a staggering budget of nearly $200 million, it remains the most expensive European independent film ever made.
The central failure, however, lies in the casting and characterization of its heroes. Valerian is written as a cocky, womanizing rogue, but DeHaan’s performance lacks the roguish charm of a young Harrison Ford or Bruce Willis. Instead, his delivery comes across as petulant and uncharismatic, making his relentless pursuit of Laureline feel less like romantic tension and more like workplace harassment. Conversely, Delevingne’s Laureline is competent, sharp, and consistently right, but she is forced to play a reactive role, perpetually annoyed by a partner the script insists is heroic. The pair share no romantic chemistry; their bickering feels sibling-like rather than passionate. This disconnect is fatal, as the film’s emotional core—Valerian’s attempt to prove his love by earning her respect—rests entirely on an unconvincing dynamic. In a genre where audiences connect through characters, Valerian offers two beautiful, expensive mannequins.
: A massive interdimensional bazaar on the planet Kirian. Shoppers must wear special goggles to see and interact with the 1,000,000+ shops that exist in a parallel dimension. Essential Viewing/Reading Order If you want to dive deeper into the source material: Valerian And The City Of A Thousand Planets - E...
, an ever-expanding intergalactic metropolis where thousands of species converge to share knowledge and culture.
Compare it further to the Valerian and Laureline comic series. Suggest similar sci-fi films to watch next.
: The first alien species to integrate into Alpha, known for their distinct abstract physiology. 💼 Economic Ambition and the Box Office Gamble In an era dominated by superhero formulas and
[The Pearl Ecosystem] Mül Pearls (Source of raw energy) ⬇ Mül Converter (Ingests & replicates energy) ⬇ Infinite Balance (Sustains the entire planet)
: Tailored for atmospheric lifeforms that float through dense cloud arrays.
A deep dive into the and differences from the movie An analysis of the film's soundtrack and musical choices Share public link Luc Besson’s 2017 space opera Valerian and the
With a staggering budget of nearly $200 million, Valerian stands as one of the most expensive independent films ever made. The investment is fully visible on screen, handled by top-tier VFX houses including Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Weta Digital, and Rodeo FX. The Big Market Sequence
While it was a financial disaster in theaters, Valerian has found a remarkable second life in the streaming era. In January 2025, nearly eight years after its debut, the film arrived on the Max streaming service. It quickly rocketed up the charts, becoming a top-ten hit in the United States. This "small reprieve," as one outlet called it, demonstrates how films can find new audiences outside the pressure-cooker environment of a theatrical release and suggests that its visual inventiveness is winning over a new generation of sci-fi fans.
Reviewers universally lauded the world-building, imagination, color palette, and sheer audacity of the visuals.
With a production budget hovering around $180 million, it was the most expensive independent film ever made at the time. Besson utilized industry titans Weta Digital, Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), and Rodeo FX to create over 2,700 special effects shots—roughly 2,300 more than The Fifth Element . The Iconic Openings and Sequences