A father and son go on the run, pursued by the government and a cult drawn to the child's special powers.A father and son go on the run, pursued by the government and a cult drawn to the child's special powers.A father and son go on the run, pursued by the government and a cult drawn to the child's special powers.
- Awards
- 3 wins & 14 nominations
Jaeden Martell
- Alton
- (as Jaeden Lieberher)
Allison Gabriel
- Hannah (Ranch Member)
- (as Allison King)
- Director
- Writer
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaBecause he wanted final cut, Jeff Nichols originally considered making the film with an independent film studio, rather than at Warner Bros Pictures. It wasn't until his last meeting with Warner Bros that he informed them of this requirement. However, the producers at the company still agreed to make the film, due to its relatively small budget.
- GoofsNear the end of the movie, after Roy breaks through the road blockade, the air bags are engaged. However, seconds later the vehicle is able to drive away without any sign of them. Air bags are designed to instantly inflate to cushion the people in the car against impact, but then to deflate straight away. Although there are many shots in which you cannot see the air bags, when the car flips over, it can be seen in its deflated state.
- Quotes
Alton Meyer: Dad?
Roy: Yeah?
Alton Meyer: Are you scared?
Roy: Yes.
Alton Meyer: You don't have to worry about me.
Roy: I like worrying about you.
Alton Meyer: You don't have to anymore.
Roy: I'll always worry about you Alton. That's the deal.
- SoundtracksSunrise Mass
Written by Ola Gjeilo
Performed by Majorstua Chamber Choir / Kammerkoret Nova with String Orchestra
Conducted by Tore Erik Mohn
Courtesy of GIA Publications, Inc.
Featured review
This film really came out of nowhere for me, as a comment by a stranger I overheard in a bar drew me to this, and thank you nameless stranger with impeccable taste! This is one of those sci-fi flicks that comes along every once in a while that actually has something to say without overuse of CGI and genre tropes.
I knew almost nothing about Midnight Special going in other than said comment, and I highly recommend you try to do the same. Therefore I will be as brief as possible to avoid spoilers.
Roy (Michael Shannon) is on the run with his 8 year old son Alden (Jaeden Lieberher) from a religious cult that worships the boy as some sort of messiah. Also in pursuit are the FBI and NSA, who are investigating several strange phenomena connected with the child. Roy enlists childhood friend Lucas (Joel Edgerton) to help them get to a specific location on a specific date, the reasons for which are unclear but may involve some sort of otherworldly or cataclysmic event.
The comparisons with Starman (1984) and Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977) are apt, but this is very definitely a different movie altogether.
The actors are uniformly excellent, especially Michael Shannon, who gives another intense and believable performance as a man who would do anything for his son.
A bit has been made out of how the movie ends, but personally I found it a powerful emotional pay-off that I could feel in my chest, possibly due to the nostalgic feeling this film evokes.
In conclusion, go see it. A thought provoking sci-fi drama with a story to tell. A good one at that.
I knew almost nothing about Midnight Special going in other than said comment, and I highly recommend you try to do the same. Therefore I will be as brief as possible to avoid spoilers.
Roy (Michael Shannon) is on the run with his 8 year old son Alden (Jaeden Lieberher) from a religious cult that worships the boy as some sort of messiah. Also in pursuit are the FBI and NSA, who are investigating several strange phenomena connected with the child. Roy enlists childhood friend Lucas (Joel Edgerton) to help them get to a specific location on a specific date, the reasons for which are unclear but may involve some sort of otherworldly or cataclysmic event.
The comparisons with Starman (1984) and Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977) are apt, but this is very definitely a different movie altogether.
The actors are uniformly excellent, especially Michael Shannon, who gives another intense and believable performance as a man who would do anything for his son.
A bit has been made out of how the movie ends, but personally I found it a powerful emotional pay-off that I could feel in my chest, possibly due to the nostalgic feeling this film evokes.
In conclusion, go see it. A thought provoking sci-fi drama with a story to tell. A good one at that.
- Skruffbagg
- Apr 20, 2016
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Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Official sites
- Language
- Also known as
- Untitled Jeff Nichols/Sci-Fi Project
- Filming locations
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Budget
- $18,000,000 (estimated)
- Gross US & Canada
- $3,712,282
- Opening weekend US & Canada
- $190,012
- Mar 20, 2016
- Gross worldwide
- $7,112,282
- Runtime1 hour 52 minutes
- Color
- Sound mix
- Aspect ratio
- 2.39 : 1
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