Did Cooper Cause the Wormhole in Interstellar? Unraveling the Mystery

One of the most intriguing aspects of Interstellar is the complex interplay between the characters and the pivotal plot elements such as the wormhole. Specifically, a recurring question among viewers has been: Did Cooper himself cause the wormhole, or were the events predetermined by future humans aiming to ensure their species' survival?

Towards the Third Act

As the movie progresses towards its third act, Cooper arrives at a speculative conclusion. According to him, the wormhole was deliberately placed in space by future humans to ensure the survival of their species. This action was a crucial component of a larger plan involving the completion of Professor Brand's gravity equation. This equation, once completed, would grant them the ability to create the wormhole itself.

The High-Speed Test Flight

The story takes a dramatic turn at the beginning of the film during a high-speed test flight over the Straits. Here, a gravitational anomaly causes Cooper's instruments to display readings that are impossible. This anomaly causes his fly-by-wire system to falter. Cooper, however, maintains control and argues against the main computer's decision to deactivate the craft despite the apparent risk.

Despite Cooper's objections, the Ranger's main computer decides to completely deactivate the craft, which is a critical failure. False alarms and misreadings from the computer lead to a scenario where the Rangers craft spins out of control and takes a "nose dive." In a valiant effort to survive, Cooper manages to eject from the crashed craft. This harrowing experience haunts him long after he retires from NASA.

Psychological Impact

The memory of the crash and the subsequent loss of control weigh heavily on Cooper's mind over the years. This psychological burden adds layers to his character, pushing him further into the mission to save humanity. The trauma of that flight serves as a motivator for his subsequent actions, as he seeks to rectify what he perceives as to the failure of the initial mission.

In the final analysis, while the precise causality of the wormhole remains a subject of debate among viewers and scholars, the movie Interstellar presents a compelling narrative that intertwines personal and cosmic destinies. For Cooper, the wormhole represents more than a scientific phenomenon; it symbolizes both the ultimate hope and the personal burden of a relentless mission.

Conclusion

Did Cooper cause the wormhole? The answer is not explicit in the film, leaving room for interpretation. What is clear is the profound impact of this event on Cooper's life and his ultimate quest to save humanity. Whether his actions directly led to the wormhole is a question that invites philosophical contemplation and rewatching of the film to unravel its intricate layers.