How Midnight Special evokes the pure emotion of… | Little White Lies

Under the Influence

How Midnight Special evokes the pure emotion of Starman

Published 19 Apr 2016

Words by Little White Lies

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Jeff Nichols’ stellar sci-fi parable draws inspiration from John Carpenter’s 1984 film.

Under The Influence is a video series that traces the themes, inspirations, or other connections from a new release to a great film of the past. Midnight Special is the latest film from Jeff Nichols, the director of Take Shelter and Mud. This time he’s teamed up again with Michael Shannon, but with a sci-fi twist.

Nichols has acknowledged the influence of Steven Spielberg’s E.T. and Close Encounters of the Third Kind. Another point of reference is John Carpenter’s underrated 1984 film Starman, which follows as its main characters evade the government on a cross-country chase.

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Midnight Special is in cinemas now. Read our review.

LWLies 107: The Sinners issue – Out now!

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