Midnight Special – Film Review

When it comes to blockbusters it’s quite known that usually if the film will have a lot of special effects that it will have a larger — over 100 million dollar budget. This film does not and achieves so much in such little cash with 6.2 million. Midnight Special is one of those films that you would think that Steven Spielberg created in the modern age. There is a sense of mystery, intrigue, a young child with a gift, aliens, and a sense of hope for the future.

Director Jeff Nichols achieves so much out of his actors with especially Jaeden Lieberher being so charismatic as the child named Alton who is the son of Michael Shannon and Kirsten Dunst. They are a couple who are apart of a religious cult in southern Texas that escapes the cult to go towards Florida to connect with the beings who the cult believes are out there.

Sometimes we are asked to do things that are beyond us.

There are some great car chases and heart pounding action that are well achieved by not only the direction of Nichols, but from the score by David Wingo who brings a haunting authentic score to the picture. Another shining part about the film is actor Adam Driver who portrays the standard government agent who is inquisitive about the kid who the government is tracking down. There is such subtly in his acting that feels most human and real about not only being a good agent.

Aside the brilliant acting, writing and directing of this film the only negatives I have to say about it are that I wish I was able to spend more time in this world. I feel that I’ve only been shown a slice of life than the whole picture and that there is more to explore in this world that was created. Though the film staying with me wanting more does work in its favor, it could have been more fleshed out. I definitely recommend this to any Sci Fi nerd or anyone needing a good watch on a lazy afternoon.
9.5/10