It screened at the Toronto International Film Festival today, and, based on Twitter reactions and reviews that I’ve read so far, it’s definitely a winner! The critics almost unanimously love it, with comparisons being made to hard science fiction films of old, but with a contemporary (if mainstream) look and feel.

I love science fiction, so this is one that I’ve been looking forward to seeing anyway, and today’s critical reaction only amplifies my interest.

In terms of black actors with key roles in the film, Donald Glover and Chiwetel Ejiofor both feature, joining Matt Damon, Kristen Wiig, Kate Mara, Michael Pena, Jeff Daniels and Jessica Chastain, in the Ridley Scott sci-fi thriller.

Damon of course stars, playing an astronaut who is stranded on Mars solo, and must learn to adapt and survive, while he waits for a rescue mission from earth, led by Chastain.

A clip from the film has been released, which happens to highlight Glover, as an astrodynamicist at Nasa, who pitches what appears to be a crazy idea to his boss, Jeff Daniels’ character, the head of NASA – a plan that could work, as he suggests, but not everyone is exactly sold on.

The clip also includes a little bit of Ejiofor who plays the Director of the Mars Mission.

"The Martian" is set to hit theaters October 2, 2015.

Clip below: