[4] To find the balance between the emotional relationship between the father and son and being a space drama, he had "to tow the line between punchy sounds and these tender, introspective moments, where the music has to symbolize and elevate all that isolation Brad is feeling".

[10][11] Zanobard Reviews assigned 8 (out of 10) and wrote that "Max Richter and Lorne Balfe have created a breathtakingly atmospheric musical world for Ad Astra—one that makes you feel as if you're floating amongst the stars.

"[12] A review from The Film Scorer wrote "Though both inhabit the sphere of spacey ambience, Richter opts for a more minimalist approach (which proves the stronger, more engaging portion) while Balfe rounds out the score with a bit more variety, tension, and danger.

"[13] Adrian Barr of Backseat Mafia wrote "Ad Astra is an impressive piece of work that tells a story on its own, so immerse yourself and experience its ethereal journey, across vast solar systems to the edge of new worlds.

"[14] David Edelstein of Vulture wrote "The composer Max Richter's usual ambient wash is cut with ethereal harps and plinks from the piano's highest keys, while sudden silences reverberate with dread.