Miss 'Stranger Things'? Watch This Sci-Fi Thriller Clearly Made for Fans of '80s Cinema

Do you long for the 1980s, mysterious government experiments, kids with superpowers, and synthesizer soundtracks? We have great news for you.

Jeff Nichols' Midnight Special is a tribute to postwar sci-fi and Steven Spielberg's early masterpieces, such as E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial and Close Encounters of the Third Kind.

The movie is unsettling and emotional and is aimed at fans of old-fashioned '80s sci-fi. Unfortunately, it never became a big hit.

What Is 'Midnight Special' About?

Two armed men are trying to smuggle an oddly dressed eight-year-old boy out of Texas. News reports say the child has been kidnapped, but Alton isn't worried. Instead, he calmly reads one Superman comic after another.

His father, Roy, and his friend, Lucas, are doing everything they can to save him from a religious cult that sees him as a new messiah and from FBI agents who have their own plans for him.

The reason for their escape is Alton's inexplicable abilities. The hour of reckoning is approaching when Alton's powers will be unleashed.

'Midnight Special' Isn't Only a Movie About a Kid With Superpowers, but Also a Profound Statement About Parental Love

The movie's main intrigue lies in the boy's supernatural abilities and his quasi-religious sense of wonder. It's no coincidence that the Superman comics he reads on the road hint at this. The plot balances science fiction with the anticipation of a mystical event.

Jeff Nichols doesn't offer definitive answers. Instead, he tells the story through the eyes of a father who doesn't fully understand his son's true identity, yet is willing to do anything to protect him.

Michael Shannon plays a compassionate parent who learns to be a father to a truly special child over the course of the film. While trying to escape their pursuers, Alton and Roy grow closer, and their bond is the movie's main emotional force.

'Midnight Special' Isn't an Emotional Rollercoaster – It's a Profound Journey

Midnight Special is a movie that speaks less about uncharted planets and strange aliens than it does about strange children and their clueless parents.

Nichols has successfully reinvigorated the family sci-fi genre once mastered by Spielberg. The film features captivating special effects, a detective plot, and a strong cast. Most importantly, however, the story centers on relatable human values, namely the relationship between a father and son.

Rather than dazzling the viewer with explosions and car chases, Midnight Special offers a slow, thoughtful journey where each plot twist reveals the boy's secrets and the depth of parental love.

What Did Critics & Viewers Think of 'Midnight Special'?

• Midnight Special has 83% from critics and 67% from viewers on Rotten Tomatoes.

• On IMDb, the movie has a score of 6.6/10.

• On Letterboxd, Midnight Special scored 3.3/5.0.

Where to Watch 'Midnight Special'?

Midnight Special is available to buy or rent on Apple TV and Amazon Prime Video.