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Contact

Play trailer 2:12 Poster for Contact PG 1997 2h 30m Sci-Fi Play Trailer Watchlist
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69% Tomatometer 67 Reviews 79% Popcornmeter 100,000+ Ratings
In this Zemeckis-directed adaptation of the Carl Sagan novel, Dr. Ellie Arroway (Jodie Foster) races to interpret a possible message originating from the Vega star system. Once first contact with an extraterrestrial intelligence is proven, Arroway contends with restrictive National Security Advisor Kitz (James Woods) and religious fanatics bent on containing the implications of such an event. An incredible message is found hidden in the signal, but will Arroway be the one to answer its call?
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Critics Consensus

Contact elucidates stirring scientific concepts and theological inquiry at the expense of satisfying storytelling, making for a brainy blockbuster that engages with its ideas, if not its characters.

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Critics Reviews

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Duane Byrge The Hollywood Reporter Despite its lineage and some impressive special effects, Contact is a disappointingly earthbound production, weighed down by the ballast of talking-heads dramaturgy and bloated storytelling. Jul 18, 2018 Full Review David Ansen Newsweek If Contact is disappointingly soft in the head, it can also enthrall. Zemeckis is such a potent imagemaker that he is capable, for long stretches at a time, of sweeping you up in his vision. Feb 28, 2018 Full Review Richard Schickel TIME Magazine Something like one of those mysterious asteroids that get the astronomers all worked up: a large body of gaseous matter surrounding a relatively small core of solid substance. Feb 16, 2011 Full Review Brian Eggert Deep Focus Review The ruminative approach and final resolution that there are no certainties in the universe, however honest, left audiences unsatisfied. But the film remains a daring work, among the most cerebral and emotional motion pictures on this subject ever released Rated: 4/4 Jun 7, 2023 Full Review James Croot The Post NZ If you’ve ever gazed at the sky in wonder and wondered “what if”, are a fan of the magnificent Foster (and who isn’t), or simply like first-rate storytelling, then seek Contact out. Rated: 4/5 Jul 14, 2022 Full Review Andrea Thompson Inverse Sagan's spirit certainly comes through in the film, which makes a point of valuing scientific exploration for its own sake rather than a means to an end. Nov 1, 2021 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Osamah S Smart and complex plot and great sci fi drama, written by one of humanity's most ambitious physicists. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/14/25 Full Review Uliana I I recently rewatched Contact, having first watched it as a teenager back in the late 1990s. This movie impressed me back then, as it did now. Both as a kid and as an adult, I connected with Ellie. As a human, I connected with her principled honesty. Jody Foster became Ellie. She embodied Ellie better than anyone did in similar movies. Her acting was more believable than Murph in Interstellar. Mathew McChonaughey was brilliant in both. All the supporting actors were also great. Overall, this movie did justice to Carl Sagan, who wrote the novel, which the movie is based on. It's critical to watch this movie from Carl Sagan's perspective, otherwise, it will fly over your head, as it has for the critics posting here. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 10/11/25 Full Review Brian S A wonderful concept where science and faith hold hands, stare at the stars, and dare to admit they’re searching for the same thing, but told in a very obtuse way. Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 09/27/25 Full Review Mark W An interesting premise but the pacing is very slow. Jodie Foster lacks likeability and charisma, and is clearly outshined by some of her co-stars. As expected, the ending is vague. Hard Sci fi fans will probably enjoy but unlikely to return again. Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 09/03/25 Full Review Andrew P. I absolutely love this movie. I love the story about her family. I love the story about humanity looking farther into the sky. I love our interpretation of an alien life. This movie never gets old. The reviews should be higher. I will always love this movie. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/20/25 Full Review Steven D Brilliant film and a great cast. Its not just a human meets alien film it dives into the social, relgious, and polictical effects that alien life could cause. Hats off the main case Jodie Foster, Tom Skerritt, Matt Mc, Angela B and especially James Woods and John Hurt. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 07/02/25 Full Review Read all reviews
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Movie Info

Synopsis In this Zemeckis-directed adaptation of the Carl Sagan novel, Dr. Ellie Arroway (Jodie Foster) races to interpret a possible message originating from the Vega star system. Once first contact with an extraterrestrial intelligence is proven, Arroway contends with restrictive National Security Advisor Kitz (James Woods) and religious fanatics bent on containing the implications of such an event. An incredible message is found hidden in the signal, but will Arroway be the one to answer its call?
Director
Robert Zemeckis
Producer
Steve Starkey, Robert Zemeckis
Screenwriter
Carl Sagan, James V. Hart, Michael Goldenberg
Distributor
Warner Home Vídeo
Production Co
Warner Brothers
Rating
PG
Genre
Sci-Fi
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Jul 11, 1997, Original
Release Date (Streaming)
May 1, 2008
Box Office (Gross USA)
$100.9M
Runtime
2h 30m
Sound Mix
SDDS, DTS, Surround, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio
35mm, Scope (2.35:1)
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