Paul
Two sci-fi obsessives become fugitives when a wisecracking extraterrestrial turns their UFO pilgrimage into a chaotic quest for freedom.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Simple
- Violence
- Mild
- witty
- irreverent
- raunchy
- lazy sunday
- group movie night
What critics said
Critics generally found the film amiably entertaining and accessible, though uneven and less sharp than Pegg and Frost's best collaborations.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
The story centers on sci-fi geeks and repeatedly parodies alien-contact conventions, UFO lore, and genre touchstones.
Graeme, Clive, Paul, and Ruth are treated as misfits who find belonging while escaping institutional and familial persecution.
Paul escapes in a rented RV and the group travels through America's UFO heartland while pursued by federal agents.
The film balances mainstream road-trip accessibility with profanity, sexual jokes, and broad bad-taste comedy.
Films like Paul, and why
Galaxy Quest
Shares irreverent science-fiction parody, buddy comedy chemistry, road-trip momentum, and affectionate genre references.
The World's End
Shares raunchy genre comedy, escalating chase structure, outsider protagonists, and playful extraterrestrial adventure.
Hot Fuzz
Shares eccentric road-trip comedy, unlikely friendship, broad humor, and a supernatural or science-fiction twist.
Men in Black
Shares alien-centered comedy, warm outsider themes, and mainstream science-fiction adventure with comic irreverence.
Movie Details
- Director
- Greg Mottola
- Release Date
- 2011-02-14
- Runtime
- 104 min
- Rating
- 6.8 / 10 (6493)
Cast
- Simon Pegg
- Nick Frost
- Seth Rogen
- Jason Bateman
- Kristen Wiig
- Bill Hader
- Blythe Danner
- Joe Lo Truglio
- John Carroll Lynch
- Jane Lynch
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Peacock Premium, Peacock Premium Plus
- 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 Paul about?
- Two sci-fi obsessives become fugitives when a wisecracking extraterrestrial turns their UFO pilgrimage into a chaotic quest for freedom.
- What is Paul like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Paul as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as simple.
- Is Paul violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Paul as mild.
- What did critics think of Paul?
- Critics generally found the film amiably entertaining and accessible, though uneven and less sharp than Pegg and Frost's best collaborations.
- Which films are like Paul?
- Films with a similar feel include Galaxy Quest, The World's End, Hot Fuzz, and Men in Black.
- How long is Paul?
- Paul runs 104 minutes.
- Where can I watch Paul?
- In United States, Paul streams on Peacock Premium, Peacock Premium Plus.
