In their new adaptation of 3 Body Problem, Netflix explores hard science fiction with an edge of cyberpunk, remixing Liu Cixin’s acclaimed novel The Three-Body Problem into a more compact 8 episodes. Still, this new version doesn’t deny the original’s cold-blooded envisioning of how aliens could infiltrate our current society and what that would mean for coming generations.
The novel, a lighthouse in the world of speculative fiction, first came to America in a translation by another brilliant sci-fi author, Ken Liu. Liu faithfully rendered the complexities of the novel’s often foreboding but hopeful tone.
Of course, with a work this popular, there are other versions. A 30-episode Chinese TV show adaptation, Three-Body, offered a distinct interpretation of Cixin’s vision in 2023. The Netflix adaptation now has to please the fans who have been waiting for today’s binge-watching experience. The new 3 Body Problem delivers a similarly sobering look at our societal response to an enemy that is nearly impossible to defeat but fears us just as much.
The saga unfolds against the tumultuous backdrop of China’s Cultural Revolution. A clandestine military project succeeds in making contact with an alien civilization known as the San-ti, who are on the verge of extinction due to the unstable nature of their home planet’s orbit around three suns. Ye Wenjie (Rosalind Chao) is warned to cut communication, but she has a vendetta against humanity and doesn’t listen. As the San-ti set their sights on Earth as a potential new home, their intentions split humanity into two factions: those who see the alien arrival as a chance to escape an irredeemably corrupt society, and those who are prepared to fight against the invasion to protect our home world.
As the impetuses and inciting incidents become clear, more key figures emerge. There’s Ye Wenjie (Chao and Zine Tseng), the astrophysicist who sets off the danger and becomes a pivotal link between Earth and the San-ti. We also meet Jin Cheng (Jess Hong), a genius theoretical physicist, who finds her life becoming increasingly intertwined with the mysterious occurrences that hint at extraterrestrial involvement. Furthering this knot of trouble, the virtual reality game THREE BODY becomes a critical early plot device, providing a window into the San-ti culture and history. It also acts as a recruitment tool, bringing together an in-game think tank to unearth a solution for a planet perpetually on the brink of cataclysm.
There’s Saul Durand (Jovan Adepo), a physics research assistant ensnared in a web of enigmatic events, who unknowingly finds himself at the heart of the alien conspiracy. Alongside him, we meet Auggie Salazar (Eiza González), a nanofiber trailblazer, whose innovative work becomes crucial in understanding and potentially countering the alien threat.
Benedict Wong’s portrayal of Da Shi, an ex-intelligence officer investigating mysterious deaths, is a magnetic amalgam of gruff charm and tenacity. Grounding the series amidst its high-concept ideas, he is the one character we can rely on.
The eight-episode show, adapted from Cixin’s acclaimed Remembrance of Earth’s Past series of novels, traverses both time and space, from the political upheaval of 1960s China to the present-day United Kingdom, where the brilliant scientists mentioned above, and Wong’s unconventional detective come together to face the future. Crafted by Game of Thrones co-creators David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, along with True Blood producer Alexander Woo, the series becomes a puzzle of survival, while questioning how our natures (the lies we tell) might block us from co-existing with other civilizations.
Visually, the series is nothing short of gorgeous. With stunning alien worlds and immersive virtual reality landscapes. This lends validity—as disquieting as it is fascinating—as we navigate fracturing human divisions in the face of alien contact, while also showcasing the indomitable human spirit. 3 Body Problem is as reflective and dangerous as a shard of broken glass, that you can’t help but touch because of its possibilities. The early intrigue and mystery are expertly woven. However, despite the appeal of its explorations and themes, at times the series’ pace can be too measured. Its commitment to dissecting the scientific and philosophical aspects of the story are very necessary but can at times slow momentum. One trip-up comes from the logic flaws that make you want to reference Occam’s Razor, the same way some of the characters do. There must be an easier way to invade when your technology is that far ahead.
Yet, even in these moments, 3 Body Problem’s strength lies in its ability to present a story that is as intellectually stimulating as it is emotionally resonant. This is a show that dares to ask big questions, and in doing so, pushes the boundaries of what a sci-fi series can be—not as well as the original novel but it gets close.
Watch it.
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