As with Nolan’s recent works, precise details about Interstellar have been guarded. However, trailers and interviews indicate how Interstellar takes real-world concerns about environmental damage, and rockets audiences into wormholes. In search of survival.

Led by Matthew McConaughey and Anne Hathaway as intrepid astronauts, the Interstellar mission searches other galaxies for planets we can inhabit. “We must confront the reality that nothing in our solar system can help us,” declares a scientist played by Michael Caine. Nothing. No appealing to a higher power, or seeking other assistance within the Milky Way’s neighbourhood. Nothing.

When Cooper (McConaughey) requests a rescue plan, the answer is out of this world: “We’re not meant to save the world. We’re meant to leave it, and this is the mission you were trained for.” Interstellar sets up an intriguing portrait of how humans take responsibility. Especially when you think about the instructions God gave when he created everything. He told the first humans they should “multiply, fill the earth, and subdue it.” (Genesis 1:28) Yes, that’s right. God gave the entire planet to people. As their home, workplace and birthing centre.

But tenancy of Earth didn’t go smoothly. From Adam and Eve, to the billions of residents presently dwelling in God’s creation, humans have caused huge damage to their surroundings. Interstellar deals with the fall-out, by presenting a solution which seems to ignore the source of the problem itself. “We will find a way,” believes Cooper. “We always have.”

“We” is us. Humans. But doesn’t reliance upon ourselves, to sort out our own survival, seem comical? Given we have contributed so heavily to it being in jeopardy. From warfare, to domestic violence. From global-warming strife, to litter at the beach. But Interstellar presents humans taking responsibility for the human race not being wiped out.

Why do they have any confidence, at all, in themselves? What about “nothing in our solar system can help us”? “We’ve always defined ourselves by the ability to overcome the impossible,” notes Cooper. That’s an accurate assessment, of a common human outlook. Interstellar blasts off with the notion that, despite so many, many, many examples to the contrary, humans proudly reckon they can do it themselves. Even if it seems impossible.

But salvation, for an entire planet? Can we really save ourselves? Jesus didn’t think so. When asked “who can be saved?”, Jesus replied: “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Of course, Jesus was speaking about God’s plan for salvation. A plan stretching beyond this life, into the reality of eternal life. The only rescue plan, available to any who believe in the one – Jesus – sent to save humanity from its own destructive ways.

While the year’s biggest movie suggests we can dump this planet and possibly start again on another one, Interstellar also indicates how humans relying on humans is a fanciful solution for true salvation.

Interstellar is released in Australian cinemas on Thursday 6 November 2014.