[Trailer] ‘Midnight Special’ Aims to Blend Spielberg with Carpenter in a New Sci-Fi Thriller

Writer and director Jeff Nichols is building an impressive resume for himself with quality films like “Take Shelter” and “Mud” under his belt, so it’s easy to see why people are invoking such big names for his next film.

“Midnight Special” reunites director Nichols with “Take Shelter” star Michael Shannon and pulls in notable names like Joel Edgerton, Sam Shepard, Kristen Dunst, and Adam Driver for a sci-fi thriller that Nichols describes as an ode to John Carpenter’s “Starman.”  In an interview with Entertainment Weekly Nichols revealed that “Midnight Special” is a tribute to those 80’s classic sci-fi films like Carpenter’s “Starman” and Spielberg’s “Close Encounters of the Third Kind.”

The son happens to have unique gifts. It’s a weird word to use, but his gifts are, um, supernatural. Close Encounters of the Third Kind, E.T., Starman, they were my inspirations — very propulsive journeys that work when you can’t predict what’s going to happen next. This is my sci-fi chase film.

And after watching the trailer below you can definitely see the inspiration from both films being put on display.  Given the cast and talent involved, this is definitely a film I’m eager to see.  Here’s how Warner Bros described it:

A father (Michael Shannon), goes on the run to protect his young son, Alton (Jaeden Lieberher), and uncover the truth behind the boy’s special powers.

What starts as a race from religious extremists and local law enforcement quickly escalates to a nationwide manhunt involving the highest levels of the Federal Government. Ultimately his father risks everything to protect Alton and help fulfill a destiny that could change the world forever, in this genre–defying film as supernatural as it is intimately human.

Check out the trailer below and let us know what you think.