Midnight Special

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Midnight Special

PG-13

2016

1h 51m

Sci-Fi

Mystery & Thriller

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

83%

Tomatometer

239 Reviews

67%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

The government and a group of religious extremists pursue a man (Michael Shannon) and his son (Jaeden Lieberher), a young boy who possesses special powers.

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Critics Consensus

Midnight Special's intriguing mysteries may not resolve themselves to every viewer's liking, but the journey is ambitious, entertaining, and terrifically acted.

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Nigel Andrews

Financial Times

12/28/2016

2/5

The heavens keep splitting to deliver forked tinsel masquerading as sci-fi lightning.

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Jason Bailey

Flavorwire

11/17/2016

Nichols does so many things so well, and all at once, that it sort of takes your breath away.

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Sara Michelle Fetters

MovieFreak.com

08/11/2016

3.5/4

There is an adrenaline-fueled elasticity to events that is as smooth as it is exhilarating, all of it given extra potency thanks to the emotional complexities driving things to their conclusion.

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Don Shanahan

Every Movie Has a Lesson

Jul 20

4/5

As one of the most striking, imposing, and spell-binding original science fiction films in recent memory, "special" is fitting trademark for "Midnight Special."

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JD Duran

InSession Film

08/08/2024

As an allegory for parental sacrifice, words cannot begin to describe my experience with this film. Midnight Special moved me in ways that very few films ever have.

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Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

10/06/2023

Jeff Nichols, the writer and director, keeps [a] sense of mystery throughout Midnight Special, always raising more questions with each answer.

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erwin s

Oct 4

cant recommend this movie. central questions remain completely unanswered. who is this boy? where did he come from? why does he have these powers? whats with goverment. not very satisfying.

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jeannie p

Apr 25

Ohh, now i get why this movie gets mentioned so often. As a total wuss who won’t watch violent or disturbing movies, i cheated about halfway and checked the Wiki to see if watching to the end might be an option - big surprised grin seeing the synopsis for the second half, and it was every bit as enjoyable knowing what’s gonna happen. The general vibe of this film reminded me of Repo Man, eventually, getting increasing chuckles of glee out of me, and rapture that some people made a film on this kind of subject that I actually found satisfying, nothing grating, I don’t think I bitched at the TV a singl- no wait there was that One Bit where I scolded Kirsten Dunst for letting them make her do the stereotypical Female Does Suffering scene for a few seconds there, but the rest was A-ok, for Me : ) Loved the parenting style - treating small human as an equal, and with care.

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Webb V

Feb 20

Clear you mind and don't assume, question, or quibble, and just maybe the story will carry you away to a nice place. I don't often give out 5's but found nothing to keep me from doing so with one.

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Stoner J

@Stoner Jan 7

Great sci-fi drama with a thrilling end. Reminded me so much of the movie D.A.R.Y.L. I loved as a kid

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A J

12/07/2024

Brilliant acting in the this sci-fi meets No Country for Old Men. Loved it!

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Sharang L

@Sharang 11/11/2024

Just enough tension and emotion to keep you hooked. And an all-star cast doesn't hurt.

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Jeff Nichols

Director

Michael Shannon

Roy

Joel Edgerton

Lucas

Kirsten Dunst

Sarah

Jaeden Martell

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Midnight Special: International Trailer 1

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Midnight Special: Trailer 2

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Midnight Special: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

The government and a group of religious extremists pursue a man (Michael Shannon) and his son (Jaeden Lieberher), a young boy who possesses special powers.

Director: Jeff Nichols
Producer: Sarah Green, Brian Kavanaugh-Jones
Screenwriter: Jeff Nichols
Distributor: Warner Bros. Pictures
Production Co: Tri-State Pictures
Rating: PG-13 (Some Violence|Action)
Genre: Sci-Fi, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Apr 8, 2016, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 7, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA): $3.7M
Runtime: 1h 51m
Sound Mix: Dolby Digital

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