An Alarming Number Of People Think “The Martian” Is A True Story

The Martian, the new movie by Ridley Scott starring Matt Damon as an astronaut stranded on Mars, is being rightly praised for its fairly accurate portrayal of science.

But maybe it was too realistic, because an alarming number of people out there have come away from the film thinking it is based on a true story.

Despite the fact that, y’know, no human has ever set foot on Mars.

Some people in your family might think The Martian is a true story.

Genuinely bothered that my mom thought The Martian was a true story.

— Hayden Picker (@HaydenPicker) October 5, 2015

As great as "The Martian" was, my favorite part was after when my grandma asks if it was based on a true story

— Richie Abruscato III (@get___RICH) October 3, 2015

Some of your friends may think The Martian is a true story.

so my friend and i were talking about the Martian and she was like "it's based on a true story right?" and i was like …yeah,, what the fu

— simona/PINNED TWEET! (@1945bucky) October 3, 2015

kelley o'hara, a stanford graduate, thought the martian movie was based off of a true story

— 🍝 (@oharamorgans) October 4, 2015

You could be dating a person who thinks The Martian is a true story.

"Is this a true story?" – The woman next to me said to her date at The Martian last night.

— PizzaNachos69 (@pizzanachos69) October 4, 2015

At 2:46am – "what do you mean no one has been to Mars? You mean, The Martian isn't based on a true story?" –@lucyliz

— Kae (@kaeepet) October 3, 2015

Heard a girl say to her boyfriend on the way out of The Martian 'was that true story?'
I couldn't believe he didn't dump her on the spot!

— Brian Maher (@MrBrianMaher) October 2, 2015

You might be completely surrounded by people who think The Martian is a true story.

Overheard two people talking at Panera about how THE MARTIAN was “based on a true story.”

— Mαtt Thomαs (@mattthomas) October 2, 2015

Someone behind me just asked if #TheMartian is a true story……..

— TJ Campana (@CamPanda) October 4, 2015

Sitting in the theater watching The Martian and some girl behind me asks if this is a true story…😂😂😂😑😑😑

— ✌❤🦈 (@GnastyGnate) October 6, 2015

Maybe YOU believe The Martian is based on a true story.

Asking if the Martian was a true story, not one of my finer moments 😁

— Lauren Hart (@Laurenreneehart)

Sometimes I'm smart, and sometimes I google "is the martian based on a true story". For the record it is definitely not.

— Rebecca R (@raerennie) September 23, 2015