Revelling in the mysterious aura that it builds, Jeff Nichols’ Midnight Special is a love letter to the science fiction films of the 1970s and 80s. Bringing to mind motion pictures like Close Encounters of the Third Kind and E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial, the story begins in earnest as we join Roy (Michael Shannon) and Lucas (Joel Edgerton) – the pair have kidnapped Roy’s son Alton (Jaeden Lieberher) and are now being chased by a number of spooks.
Roy has nabbed the boy out of the long clutches of his adoptive father, Calvin Meyer (Sam Shepard), the leader of The Ranch – a cultish group of religious individuals who have spun their lives around the happenings of the mystifying Alton. Meyer has sent two of his most trusted underlings to recapture the boy.
With powers that are difficult to control, (he can cause earthquakes, speak in tongues and shoot eerie blue light from his eyes), Roy and Lucas travel at night, as the daylight brings out the worst of the boy’s powers (putting him in constant danger).
The activities of Alton and The Ranch have caught the eye of the FBI, and Agent Miller (Paul Sparks) soon cracks down on the group. Bringing in NSA expert Paul Sevier (Adam Driver) to investigate the bizarre and undecipherable occurrences revolving around the young boy, they seem to be looking for more than answers – putting time, money and innumerable resources into tracking him down.
Meeting up with Alton’s mother, Sarah (Kirsten Dunst), the group are destined for an unknown location highlighted during many of their son’s fits (he has also given them a date that they must reach the locale by). Will the makeshift team be able to get the boy to this all important place, or will they be tracked down and stopped by those chasing them?
A movie about different kinds of faith, the character of Lucas (played beautifully by Edgerton) illustrates one prime example. A smart but cynical man, he for once finds hope in the idea that the boy may be foreshadowing some sort of grander power than our own. Though still skeptical in many ways, he wants to believe. A police officer who had not seen his former best friend (Roy) in a decade (as he had been part of The Ranch), the boy’s powers persuade him to uproot his life in order to be a sort of bodyguard to him. Another aspect of faith revolves around the trust we must place in our children. Though it is a parents’ job to worry about them for the rest of their lives, Roy and Sarah come to realize that this perilous mission may take their son away from them, yet they have to trust in him and believe that he will be okay if that difficult day ever comes. Similarly, they also have a blind faith in their son and his otherworldly ways – never wavering from their mission to get him where he needs to be. It is intriguing to note that all of this revolves around Alton being at the centre of a zealous religious cult. To further blur the lines, when Roy discusses The Ranch with former member Elden (David Jensen), they melancholically reminisce about it, missing their regimented lifestyle and tightknit community.
The film is also an excellent vehicle for its stars. There is perhaps no one better than Michael Shannon for playing characters that are serious, sombre and serene. His angular face and doleful eyes suit the seriousness of the fatherly mission. Dunst matches his emotion, also depicting the complexity of the situation, yet she has more time to lovingly stare at her son, in awe of the unfathomable being and the incomprehensible situation they are in. Driver is an interesting character study. Scientific and tough to read, there is a clear connection to the characters developed by François Truffaut and Richard Dreyfuss in Close Encounters and Jaws respectively. For the first time, his superior knowledge has been piqued, and he is driven to understand the power of this boy. Finally, Jaeden Lieberher is able to channel an old soul, bringing a realistic gravitas mixed with a fateful belief that he is on the right path. To further deepen this most unorthodox character, he also brings forth that magical curiosity that only children can constantly muster. Having a wonderful rapport with Shannon, it is this touching father/son relationship that gives the movie much of its heart.
Though some may be disappointed by the film’s conclusion, it is undeniable that Midnight Special is one heck of a ride. Thriving on the mystery filled story, Nichols uses striking visuals (the gas station scene is something to behold) and superb performances to build a suspense-filled atmosphere that envelops us from the very beginning. Delving into absorbing themes of family, faith and religion, it is clear that love and the fear of loss constantly permeate this film. So, pull back the veiled curtain to discover the hidden mystery behind Midnight Special – it is a journey well worth making.