Review of Midnight Special (2016) by R Treybian P — 27 Dec 2016

I think, like several science-fiction films this year, Midnight Special was a little over-hyped but unlike those films, this is a small budget, hyper-indie film with some serious legs. It doesn't quite make it to Interstellar/Sunshine level but Nichols makes a real go at it.

The plot is a bit wobbly (intentionally I think) and the ending is intense but still a bit abstract and generic, even if it doesn't lack heart. The real surprise here is the incredible chemistry between Shannon and Edgerton.

Starring as two close friends tasked with an impossible, transporter style suicide mission steeped in religion and politics, the two play off each other perfectly in this minimalist film that mostly uses facial expressions to create emotional movements.

For the most part, this works with the help of Dunst and Driver (who continues to show zero acting range beyond his asshole hipster getup), who help create a improbable team to escort the film's main focus to a predetermined location.

The child acting here is nominal, as are the special effects but Midnight Special has a ton of heart and an interesting commentary on an item of great power that both religion and government fail to fully grasp.

Ultimately it's a fun and interesting watch with a surprisingly intimate scale for the science-fiction genre.