Midnight Special
A determined father races across Texas to deliver his mysteriously powerful son beyond the reach of a worshipful cult and an anxious federal government.
Overview
A father's desperate journey to protect his extraordinary son unfolds in a race against time.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Mild
- tense
- mysterious
- intimate
- late night viewing
- science fiction double feature
What critics said
Critics broadly praised the ambitious, entertaining science fiction chase, strong direction, visual style, and outstanding performances, while noting that its mysteries may not satisfy every viewer.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Alton's powers and the government pursuit are presented through realistic family relationships, rural locations, and procedural investigation rather than comic-book spectacle.
Roy abducts Alton from the cult and risks capture, violence, and uncertainty to bring his son toward an unknown destination.
The rival pursuits converge on a looming date that gives Roy and Alton's escape its urgent direction.
The film places Alton's bizarre abilities against dark highways, motels, gas stations, and rural Texas landscapes, creating striking contrasts between ordinary America and cosmic phenomena.
Films like Midnight Special, and why
E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial
Shared father child bond, mysterious gifted child, grounded science fiction, and a government pursuit.
Looper
Shared cryptic supernatural abilities, road-movie momentum, and an emotionally serious science fiction mystery.
The X-Files: Fight the Future
Shared paranoid pursuit, enigmatic young protagonist, and eerie science fiction mystery with Spielbergian influence.
Super 8
Shared nocturnal escape, extraordinary child, and atmospheric blend of family drama and speculative thriller.
Movie Details
- Director
- Jeff Nichols
- Release Date
- 2016-02-18
- Runtime
- 112 min
- Rating
- 6.3 / 10 (2111)
Cast
- Michael Shannon
- Jaeden Martell
- Joel Edgerton
- Kirsten Dunst
- Adam Driver
- David Jensen
- Sam Shepard
- Scott Haze
- Dana Gourrier
- Paul Sparks
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Howdy Amazon Channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Midnight Special about?
- A determined father races across Texas to deliver his mysteriously powerful son beyond the reach of a worshipful cult and an anxious federal government.
- What is Midnight Special like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Midnight Special as brisk, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Midnight Special violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Midnight Special as mild.
- What did critics think of Midnight Special?
- Critics broadly praised the ambitious, entertaining science fiction chase, strong direction, visual style, and outstanding performances, while noting that its mysteries may not satisfy every viewer.
- Which films are like Midnight Special?
- Films with a similar feel include E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, Looper, The X-Files: Fight the Future, and Super 8.
- How long is Midnight Special?
- Midnight Special runs 112 minutes.
- Where can I watch Midnight Special?
- In United States, Midnight Special streams on Howdy Amazon Channel.
