I would love to say lots of things about Jeff Nichols’s Midnight Special, but saying almost anything beyond the basics would spoil too much. I caught a showing yesterday.  I had high expectations, partly because Mud was such a well-done movie and partly because the only trailer that I saw for the sci-fi story of a young boy with powers (?) was its own kind of off-guard thrilling.

And so what can I say beyond “go and see it”?  Well.  It’s the story of a father and a son, of a mother and a friend. There’s a cult involved.  It’s a chase movie that also has some hints of 80s sci-fi flicks (some see the movie as a kind of homage to 80s Spielberg).  Adam Driver, aka Kylo Ren, plays a significant role in the movie.  Put him behind a microphone and he sounds just like his Star Wars alter ego.  It’s Michael Shannon, though, whose acting makes the movie.  His character stands at the intersection of all the things that are bearing down on his son, from both without and within.  There is also, I believe, a potentially beautiful picture for the kingdom of God to be found in the story, though it’s just slippery enough that it can’t quite be pinned-down.  For all of its big ideas and concepts, it’s a simple and subtle movie.  Some might accuse it of being vague, as the answers the movie gives are no where near as specific as we might be used to.  The movie’s last twist leaves you feeling intrigued, intrigued instead of robbed.  It’s a quality sci-fi flick, though, in the vein of both Looper and 10 Cloverfield Lane.  It’s definitely a movie worth your time and money.  Be sure to stay for the song that plays over the credits.  It’s a nice move on the movie-maker’s part, as it adds a kind of interpretive twist to the story.

(image from variety.com)