Title: Midnight Special
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Director: Jeff Nichols
Starring: Michael Shannon, Joel Edgerton, Kirsten Dunst
Runtime: 1 hr 52 mins

What It Is: A mysterious young man named Alton (Jaeden Lieberher) with mysterious powers has been taken away from the compound he lives on by his father Roy (Shannon) and Lucas (Edgerton). This mysterious power seems to be taken advantage of by those who live on the compound. Now the FBI and several other agents are searching for the boy and the answers he provides. All the while he’s being sought out by men with far more sinister intent.  

What We Think: Nichols continues to impress with his third straight stunner of a film. Much in the way he did with his previous two strokes of brilliance Take Shelter and Mud. Nichols does a great job of focusing on its central characters. There’s a distance with which he directs his actors. Having a cast like he does make this stylistic choice just work. Each character breathes like a real person. Jaden Lieberher was good. He too was good in the last thing I saw him in which was the underrated St. Vincent. Kristen Dunst and Adam Driver likewise bring enough to their roles to really make them standout in this great cast.  

Our Grade: A, This is certainly one of my favorite films and Nichols once again shines. I am looking forward to his next project Loving which comes out November 4th. This film has Edgerton and to no one’s surprise Michael Shannon (Nichols’ muse of sorts) will be returning to be in it. I’m going to quite obviously recommend you all go and see this! It is without a doubt one of the year’s best as we approach the halfway point of this year.

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