The Brother from Another Planet
A mute, empathic alien finds fragile community in Harlem while evading bounty hunters and exposing the absurdities of American belonging.
Overview
An alien crash-lands in New York City, navigating the complexities of human life with empathy and humor.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Mild
- witty
- warm
- thoughtful
- independent film night
- socially conscious viewing
What critics said
Critics broadly regard the film as an inventive, socially resonant independent science-fiction comedy with a strong central performance and allegorical force.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The mute alien’s attempt to establish himself in Harlem allegorizes the immigrant experience in the United States.
The Brother resembles a Black man and encounters Harlem as an outsider whose difference is socially interpreted through race.
The Brother is mute but strongly empathic, making his nonverbal encounters the central expressive device.
The alien crash-lands in New York City and seeks community in Harlem while bounty hunters arrive from another planet.
Films like The Brother from Another Planet, and why
Born in Flames
shares allegorical science fiction, immigrant experience, urban outsider perspective, and understated satire
They Live
shares socially engaged speculative fiction, racial politics, and independent filmmaking
The Man Who Fell to Earth
shares a nearly silent outsider protagonist, urban alienation, and humanist science fiction
The Visitor
shares empathetic fantasy, immigrant themes, and warm genre-inflected social observation
Movie Details
- Director
- John Sayles
- Release Date
- 1984-09-07
- Runtime
- 108 min
- Rating
- 6.7 / 10 (102)
Cast
- Joe Morton
- Rosanna Carter
- Ray Ramirez
- Yves Rene
- Peter Richardson
- Ginny Yang
- Daryl Edwards
- Steve James
- Leonard Jackson
- Bill Cobbs
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Philo, AMC Plus Apple TV channel, AMC+ Amazon Channel, AMC+, Fandor, Sundance Now, Eternal Family, Artiflix
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is The Brother from Another Planet about?
- A mute, empathic alien finds fragile community in Harlem while evading bounty hunters and exposing the absurdities of American belonging.
- What is The Brother from Another Planet like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of The Brother from Another Planet as measured, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as layered.
- Is The Brother from Another Planet violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in The Brother from Another Planet as mild.
- What did critics think of The Brother from Another Planet?
- Critics broadly regard the film as an inventive, socially resonant independent science-fiction comedy with a strong central performance and allegorical force.
- Which films are like The Brother from Another Planet?
- Films with a similar feel include Born in Flames, They Live, The Man Who Fell to Earth, and The Visitor.
- How long is The Brother from Another Planet?
- The Brother from Another Planet runs 108 minutes.
- Where can I watch The Brother from Another Planet?
- In United States, The Brother from Another Planet streams on Philo, AMC Plus Apple TV channel, AMC+ Amazon Channel, AMC+, Fandor, Sundance Now, Eternal Family, Artiflix.
