Ash imagines a hostile, beautiful world inspired by the real exoplanet Kepler-442b. The six images below are film stills—not photographs of that distant planet—and the science behind the setting is more limited than the word “plausible” might suggest.
Six images of Ash’s alien world
Germain Lussier’s March 10, 2025, Gizmodo gallery featured six promotional images from Ash, credited to RLJE Films and Richard Bluck. Their labels are “Ash Drop Ship,” “Ash Riya On Cliff,” “Ash Space Station Above Planet,” “Ash Spacesuit And Sky,” “Ash Sunrise,” and “Ash Vortex.” They show the film’s imagined setting, not telescope images of Kepler-442b.
The film stars Aaron Paul and Eiza González. The gallery appeared ahead of its announced March 21, 2025 opening.
How the film’s planet relates to Kepler-442b
The fictional planet Ash is described as inspired by Kepler-442b, a real exoplanet candidate. A 2015 Gizmodo report put Kepler-442b at roughly one-third larger in diameter than Earth, with an orbital period of 112 days and about two-thirds of the light Earth receives. That report estimated a 97% chance it lay in the Goldilocks zone and a 60% chance it was rocky. These are estimates reported in 2015, not confirmation of the planet’s surface, atmosphere, or habitability. The article placed it about 1,100 light-years away; the 2025 gallery rounded the distance to about 1,200 light-years, so neither figure should be treated as a precise current measurement.
#1 Best Overall
- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
- Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
- Aluminum Alloy Housing: Built with a sturdy aluminum alloy shell that aids in heat dissipation and protects against daily wear and scratches. Designed to maintain a stable and secure connection.
- Compact & Travel-Friendly: The ultra-compact design allows the adapter to stay plugged into your device without blocking adjacent ports or adding bulk, reducing wear and tear on your original USB ports.
- 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.
Flying Lotus described the fictional world’s air as “almost breathable.” That is a premise for the film, not a measured property of Kepler-442b. No atmosphere capable of supporting human breathing—or even an atmosphere’s composition—is established by the cited planetary estimates.
Why a habitable-zone planet is not necessarily habitable
“Goldilocks zone” or “habitable zone” describes an orbit where conditions could, in principle, allow liquid water on a planet’s surface. It does not establish that liquid water is present, that the world has a suitable atmosphere, or that life exists. A 2024 analysis of fictional exoplanets makes this distinction explicit: a planet’s habitable-zone location “says nothing about, for example, a planet’s atmosphere.”
Rank #2
- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
- Quick Data Transfers: Accelerate your productivity with rapid data transfers using a high-speed 5Gbps USB 3.0 port and two 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports.
- 4K HDMI Display: Enhance your visual experience with a hub capable of delivering 4K resolution at 30Hz in both mirror and extend modes. Please note that this hub is compatible with MacBook (macOS 12 and newer), Windows 10 and 11, ChromeOS, and laptops equipped with DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery. Note: This device is not compatible with Linux.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
In its comparison, the study found that about 7% of the 4,000 Kepler confirmed-and-candidate planets in the population it examined orbit in the habitable zone. It attributes that real-planet figure to the NASA Exoplanet Science Institute (2023). The statistic is specific to that Kepler population and is not a census of every known exoplanet.
How Ash’s visual world was made
Flying Lotus wanted the planet to function as a character, creating dread while still inspiring wonder. In a June 2025 Space.com interview, he described drawing on Suspiria and John Carpenter, with theatrical color, negative space, and “unjustified light sources” helping make the world feel psychedelic and uncanny.
Rank #3
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
The landscape was also built through a mix of practical and digital techniques. In an interview with Filmmaker Magazine, Flying Lotus said the exterior surface was fabricated, expanded with miniature landscape work, and developed further with CGI. Darkness helped conceal parts of the constructed environment. The striking terrain and atmosphere therefore reflect deliberate production design, not a direct scientific reconstruction of Kepler-442b.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Where to watch
Space.com reported on June 23, 2025, that Ash was available on Shudder. Streaming catalogs change and can vary by region, so that dated report does not guarantee current availability where you are.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
Rank #4
- Dual Converters, Infinite Potential：Includes 2× USB C male to USB A female adapters and 2× USB A male to USB C female adapters. Perfect for a wide range of uses—tablets with Bluetooth keyboards, expand USB ports on macbook, and more. Two different converters for all your daily needs
- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
- Upgraded Exquisite Craftsmanship: With an aluminum alloy housing and metal connector, the usbc to usb adapter is extremely durable and sturdy. Rigorously tested to withstand more than 10,000 times of plugging and unplugging, ensuring long-lasting performance
- Broad Compatible: The usb c to usb adapter widely supports all USB C/ USB A devices like laptops, tablets, cellphones, car chargers, and phone chargers. Such as compatible with MacBook Pro/Air 2023/2022, Thunderbolt 4/3 Devices,Apple MagSafe Watch 9/8/7/SE/Ultra, iPad Pro 2022/2021, Samsung Galaxy S23/S20/S10, and iPhone 17/16/15 Pro. Plug and play
- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
