The Three Body Problem is an epic sci-fi drama centered around humanity’s first contact with an alien civilization. Set during China’s tumultuous Cultural Revolution in the 1960s, the story follows Ye Wenjie, a young astrophysicist who makes a fateful decision to broadcast a signal into space after witnessing the death of her father at the hands of Red Guards.
Fast forward to the present day, nanomaterials expert Wang Miao is asked by the Chinese government to investigate a mysterious online physics game called “Three Body Problem” which has enthralled some of the nation’s top physicists and minds. As Wang delves deeper into the game’s virtual world, reality begins to unravel around him. Strange phenomena like the countdown to the sun going dark start coming true, indicating that extraterrestrials have received Ye’s decades-old space message and now have their sights set on a secret invasion of Earth.
With global unrest rising and the laws of physics no longer applying, Wang reunites with four of Ye’s former academic colleagues to revive the ETO (Earth-Trisolaris Movement), a secret defense front originally founded by Ye to prepare for the impending first contact.
Humanity hangs in the balance as opposing ideological camps form. Some support welcoming the superior alien civilization in the hopes of escaping human corruption and gaining advanced technology. Others, like Ye’s ETO, begin strategizing to save the planet at all costs even if it means detonating nukes on populated land or harnessing deadly microscopic technology. With doomsday fast approaching, soon not even our heroes may be able turn the tide.
Touching on complex themes like morality and betrayal, The Three Body Problem is a cerebral and thought-provoking Netflix series that offers afresh perspective on first contact stories. Showrunner David Benioff (Game of Thrones) masterfully interweaves between two timelines 60 years apart to build mystery and suspense.
The Three Body Problem premieres on Netflix on March 21st, 2024, unveiling this suspenseful sci-fi story to the world. Much of the show’s success rests on its talented cast including Chinese actress Jess Hong capturing the wonder and trauma of young Ye along with Saamer Usmani bringing wit and charm as the lead Wang. With blockbuster scale visuals mixed with intimate drama, The Three Body Problem delivers prestige sci-fi for fans of cerebral stories tackling philosophical concepts about duty, free-will, and belonging through an inventive first contact plot.