10 Films That Actually Got Biology Right

The Martian, essentially, is a science-fiction film for scientists. As with Interstellar, maybe some conveniences were taken in the physics department, but its approach to Biology shows the exemplary attitude of the production towards research.

Left stranded on Mars, Mark Watney was forced to improvise constantly to survive, including finding a way to make more food. It was here that Botany got its spotlight, as Watney figured out how to grow crops. Using stored human waste as fertiliser was a great idea, as it has all the right chemicals. For water, his solution of burning hydrogen to get water was risky but certainly doable. Easily one of the film's most plausible parts, it even inspired further studies on how to best make use of Martian soil.

Even NASA got in on the improvisation act eventually. They started developing In-Situ Resource Utilisation technology, where useful materials can be produced from extraterrestrial surroundings. A recent breakthrough even got a Mars Rover to extract oxygen from Martian carbon dioxide for the first time.

Yet, scientific accuracy isn't the main reason scientists love this film. With Watney working through struggle after struggle, The Martian became a celebration of problem-solving, which is ultimately at the heart of the scientific community.