Review: ‘Midnight Special’ is a tense, engaging thriller with a helping of science-fiction

Posted on April 15, 2016

By MARK VIOLA

With the summer blockbuster season almost upon us, I love finding little-known or publicized films. Last year around this time we got “Ex Machina,” which ended up making my Top 10 list for 2015.

Back in January, I saw a trailer for a film called “Midnight Special,” from Jeff Nichols, who gave us the heralded independent films “Mud,” starring Matthew McConaughey, and “Take Shelter,” featuring Michael Shannon. I have to admit that I haven’t actually seen either of those movies, but I’ve heard nothing but good buzz, so I was instantly intrigued by this one, especially by the apparent addition of a sci-fi element to the story.

Although I don’t think the film is entirely successful in pulling off everything it was attempting, this is still a very good movie, one that is filled with mystery and tension that grabs you from the opening scenes and holds on to the very end. Coupled with some excellent performances and a haunting musical score, this is one film that most people probably haven’t heard of before, but one that fans of smart science fiction and methodical storytelling should consider.

That being said, I can tell that “Midnight Special” is a film whose measured pace will leave those who need lots of action feeling it is pretty slow and maybe even boring. I didn’t feel that way, but I can see this one lacking a certain mainstream appeal for some audiences.

In the opening scene, we meet two men, Roy (Shannon) and Lucas (Joel Edgerton, “The Gift”), who are in a hotel room with a young boy, Alton Meyer (Jaeden Lieberher, “St. Vincent”). Through a report on the television, we learn that there has been an Amber Alert issued for Alton and Roy, whom authorities are saying kidnapped the boy.

But Alton is no ordinary boy. He has a set of powers that defy explanation and is all but worshipped by a cult located in rural Texas led by Alton’s adopted father (Sam Shepard, “Out of the Furnace”).

“Midnight Special” is a gripping thriller and one that like many good independent sci-fi films, feels like a well-written piece of short fiction, which as I’ve said in other reviews, is the best praise I can give a movie such as this. It’s not perfect, but it comes pretty close.

The film is rated PG-13 for some violence and action.

(This is a abbreviated version of the full review available in our printed or e-edition papers.)

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