Wes Anderson’s ‘Asteroid City’ has so much detail it needed an exhibition

Wes Anderson’s Asteroid City is as meticulously detailed as you’d expect from the director — you’ll want to physically pause the cinema screen to take in every student-made death ray, real estate vending machine, sprawling diner menu, headline-barking newspaper, and Frosty Spoon gooseberry wriggle ice cream punnet in the film.

Luckily, there’s an exhibition that lets you read every last scrap of paper, examine every costume, and immerse yourself in the flawless sets from Anderson’s desert-bound alien adventure. Before you scroll any further, keep in mind this story and the exhibition are an official spoiler zone, so you might want to see the movie first.

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Opened in London’s 180 The Strand, a sprawling new show produced by Universal Pictures collates the original sets, costumes, props, models, and artwork featured in Asteroid City, with a facade you can’t miss from the street, replicating the exterior of the Luncheonette diner. Despite the excitement from passers-by I overheard on the street, there is no way in hell any eatery in London is selling hamburgers for 50 cents — these are the film’s 1955 prices and purely for show.

The entrance to the 'Asteroid City' exhibition in London, which resembles a diner.

Not a new buzzy London restaurant but the entrance to the ‘Asteroid City’ exhibition.
Credit: Universal Pictures / 180 The Strand

Open now until July 8, the exhibition takes you through the film’s various settings within the eponymous town, from Steve Carell’s Motor Court cottages — and yes, the windows through which famous actor Midge Campbell (Scarlett Johansson) and war photographer Augie Steenbeck (Jason Schwartzman) build their fleeting but poignant connection. You can even do your own pose, if you give a damn.

In the 'Asteroid City' exhibition in London, Midge's cottage bathroom seen through the window.

Midge’s cottage bathroom as Augie sees it.
Credit: Universal Pictures / 180 The Strand

Importantly, you get to see the Motor Court’s incredible vending machines up close, to figure out what exactly they’re offering and how they operate. Can someone please make a working version of the martini machine, please?

In the 'Asteroid City' exhibition in London, a line of custom built vending machines.

Those glorious vending machines.
Credit: Universal Pictures / 180 The Strand

In the 'Asteroid City' exhibition in London, a close up on the vending machines.

Someone make this martini machine.
Credit: Universal Pictures / 180 The Strand

If you’re peckish, the exhibition finishes with a re-creation of the Luncheonette diner, where you can order a cup of coffee or grab a grilled cheese.

In the 'Asteroid City' exhibition in London, inside a '50s diner.

Pull up a pew.
Credit: Universal Pictures / 180 The Strand

The exhibition includes the township of Asteroid City’s only telephone booth, scrawled with numbers over the years. There’s also the government’s space observatory and, in a touching display, the costumes and props from the burial scene with Tom Hanks’ Stanley Zak and his three witchy granddaughters — including the Tupperware urn.

In the 'Asteroid City' exhibition in London, a telephone box in front of an ad for a crater.

There’s a bunch of scribbling inside the telephone box.
Credit: Universal Pictures / 180 The Strand

In the 'Asteroid City' exhibition in London, three kid witch costumes and an adult stand around a tupperware bowl buried in the ground.

A moving bit of curation.
Credit: Universal Pictures / 180 The Strand

In the 'Asteroid City' exhibition in London, an observatory set.

Shred those documents.
Credit: Universal Pictures / 180 The Strand

Costumes-wise, there are plenty more here from the Junior Stargazer student geniuses (and every one of their science projects), the opening ceremony gear of their government hosts General Grif Gibson (Jeffrey Wright) and his aide-de-camp (Tony Revolori), and something I truly wanted to take home with me: the denim clad cowboy band outfits led by Rupert Friend with his pals Seu Jorge and Jarvis Cocker.

In the 'Asteroid City' exhibition in London, a collection of cowboy musician outfits.

Can I… can I have these?
Credit: Universal Pictures / 180 The Strand

In the 'Asteroid City' exhibition in London, two government uniforms with event equipment.

Gen. Grif Gibson doesn’t do launches half-assed.
Credit: Universal Pictures / 180 The Strand

In the 'Asteroid City' exhibition in London, three student science genius costumes in front of a periodic table.

Junior Stargazers and all their genius projects.
Credit: Universal Pictures / 180 The Strand

Every piece of curation includes meticulously produced paperwork too, including the adorable drawings and song lyrics created by June Douglas’ (Maya Hawke) class of alien-obsessed young’uns.

In the 'Asteroid City' exhibition in London, a classroom with a chalkboard showing the solar system.

That planet map is too cute.
Credit: Universal Pictures / 180 The Strand

In the 'Asteroid City' exhibition in London, details of the students' alien inspirations.

What a tiny songwriter.
Credit: Universal Pictures / 180 The Strand

There’s also the train carriage scene between Midge and Augie’s son Woodrow Steenbeck (Jake Ryan), and the suited stylings of the noble narrator (Bryan Cranston) in his TV studio. There’s the Junior Stargazer’s tent, with all its alien-communicating tech. And of course, there’s the alien ship itself.

In the 'Asteroid City' exhibition in London, two suit costumes stand either side of a train carriage.

These parts are in black and white, so it’s neat to see them in colour IRL.
Credit: Universal Pictures / 180 The Strand

In the 'Asteroid City' exhibition in London, a suit in front of a cityscape set and TV cameras.

This one too!
Credit: Universal Pictures / 180 The Strand

In the 'Asteroid City' exhibition in London, an alien ship in green light.

A peaceful visitor.
Credit: Universal Pictures / 180 The Strand

For fans, there’s a bunch of merch available including extremely cute alien paraphernalia which has real Nope energy.

The Asteroid City exhibition is now open until July 8 at 180 Studios, 180 The Strand, London WC2R 1EA from 12 to 7 p.m BST. Tuesdays to Sundays. Tickets are £15 for general admission, concessions £9, and kids under 12 free.

Meanwhile, Asteroid City opens in select theaters June 16, expanding globally on June 23. Read Mashable’s review.

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Wes Anderson’s ‘Asteroid City’ has so much detail it needed an exhibition