I’m always up for an alien-invasion movie, so I was excited to find this 2018 Netflix outing I had somehow missed. Overall, I’d say this is worth your time, if you don’t mind getting through the first half hour of very slow storybuilding, annoying character decisions, and whiny kids. Did I just lose you? I try to be truthful here, so that had to be stated, but do hold on, because things do kick up several notches and then the real fun begins.
In this story, set in an undated future filled with sharp-dressed people and angular buildings, Peter has been having nightmares involving aliens attacking his town, home, and family. His wife Alice has gotten pretty fed up with his nightly wakenings and erratic behavior, and his daughters–teenage Hannah and younger Lucy–have given up on his keeping his word regarding outings and family time. Even Peter’s boss has gotten tired of Peter’s mistakes at work and suggests he visit a health and wellness clinic. E–vent–tual–ly though, otherworldly pods and their inhabitants DO actually invade, and Peter suddenly isn’t seen as cuckoo anymore. As many of those around him are falling, he strives to save his family and get them to safety, which he considers to be the large futuristic place where he works. However one particular pod inhabitant is on his trail, and the race is on. This is when the movie becomes so much more than a simple alien invasion story and acquires a deeper storyline, with themes of family, futures, limitations, and much more.
Top Scare: Alien Scene
Hearbeats: 2 1/2 out of 5
Gore Factor: 3 out of 5
Scare Factor: 2 out of 5
Recommended for: 14 or 15 and up, due to gore