Blinding 1st trailer for Jeff Nichols’ Midnight Special with Michael Shannon

Last Updated on August 5, 2021

Fans of director Jeff Nichols' previous efforts (TAKE SHELTER & MUD), get ready to be happy. The first trailer for his latest flick, MIDNIGHT SPECIAL, has arrived. Starring Nichols' go-to-guy Michael Shannon as a father on the run to protect his "gifted" son, this one has got a sci-fi/supernatural vibe, mixed with the familial ties that are typically found in the director's work. Joining Shannon is a solid line-up of players, including Joel Edgerton, Kylo Ren Adam Driver, Kirsten Dunst (killing it in Fargo this season!), and Sam Shepard.

Check it out:

Here's the synopsis:

In the sci-fi thriller “Midnight Special,” writer/director Jeff Nichols proves again that he is one of the most compelling storytellers of our time, as 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.

This looks pretty cool, but I think Nichol's involvement is the biggest selling point (minus an obviously good cast). He's got the right touch to make this more than what could easily be a Syfy original movie. That said, if someone were to utter the name "Scott Summers" at some point in the trailer, this could easily be X-MEN ORIGINS: CYCLOPS. Just sayin'.

MIDNIGHT SPECIAL hits theaters on March 18, 2016.