The Midnight Sky
Netflix | Release Date (Streaming): December 11, 2020
4.6
USER SCORE
Mixed or average reviews based on 148 Ratings
USER RATING DISTRIBUTION
Positive:
34
Mixed:
66
Negative:
48
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User Reviews

User scoreBy dateMost helpful
4
SSRDec 23, 2020
30-45 minutes of this should have been left on the editing room floor. It's slow and ponderous with characters that you don't care enough about, a twist you can see a mile off, and a story that just doesn't have enough oomph.
8 of 8 users found this helpful80
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4
dzinsowyDec 26, 2020
Despite the interesting story that has potential to be a great movie, this production feels very slow and not well planned. It gets really boring quickly - for most of the time nothing exciting happens and watchers are left in confusion.Despite the interesting story that has potential to be a great movie, this production feels very slow and not well planned. It gets really boring quickly - for most of the time nothing exciting happens and watchers are left in confusion. Switches between different timelines and places aren’t marked properly and they seem confusing for the first half of the movie. The good side of the movie surely is the CGI and scenery.… Expand
2 of 2 users found this helpful20
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4
phillyjeffDec 25, 2020
This movie lost me when Clooney, who is dying of cancer or whatever, falls into a frozen river and doesn't die. Also you can't repopulate a species with two people. Cl
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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6
Jeb24965Dec 26, 2020
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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4
Mauro_LanariJan 3, 2021
(Mauro Lanari)
It starts as a sci-fi blockbuster, goes indie by confining itself to a couple of room-sized sets, then morphs into a survival movie and eventually implodes into a claustrophobic bubble even for today's standards of Disney(Mauro Lanari)
It starts as a sci-fi blockbuster, goes indie by confining itself to a couple of room-sized sets, then morphs into a survival movie and eventually implodes into a claustrophobic bubble even for today's standards of Disney films: while the new Holy Family moves to an extraterrestrial place, with the passing of the minutes the emotion becomes rarefied and frozen, sinking into the air and water of the Arctic or into the void of cosmic space.… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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4
GazMoviesDec 27, 2020
Boring and slow but some of the graphics in the Space scenes are really good. There are some good performances from the actors... But it is a hard watch
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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4
DylviewsDec 24, 2020
Is mankind really worth saving .?Understated with some ominous overtones . A very decent watch . My only criticism would be that the characters’ personalities and backgrounds could do with more explanation.
2 of 4 users found this helpful22
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5
BrandonTNDec 24, 2020
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. The beginning of the movie was going in the right direction for sure. The first hour of this movie was on point but towards the last 30 minutes of this film, it got a bit bizarre. I know this film was suppose to be based on the novel, but this film felt empty. There was little connection with the astronauts. We had no information on what happened to Earth and where most people went. And the ending was confusing at first glance. Overall, the movie was pretty depressing. Yes, there were a few uplift moments but not enough. There was just not enough connection made throughout the film. It’s not a bad or terrible movie, it just shouldn’t have been rushed.… Expand
1 of 2 users found this helpful11
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4
shoulderoforionDec 23, 2020
Not a great movie, there were parts that had solid scifi and were interesting, but the overarching story was a bit staid, and not a happy ending. There was an attempt made, lol
1 of 3 users found this helpful12
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6
SneckburgerDec 24, 2020
All the ingredients are there but its missing something. I was eager to learn more about what had happened to earth, but in the end I found it disappointing with an ending that reminded me of newsround. Shuffle the papers and dim the lights.
1 of 3 users found this helpful12
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6
TVJerryDec 11, 2020
Yet again, the planet has been devastated by a disaster and George Clooney plays an astronomer who’s holed up at an observation station. When he discovers a space ship coming back from Jupiter, he embarks on a perilous trek thru the tundraYet again, the planet has been devastated by a disaster and George Clooney plays an astronomer who’s holed up at an observation station. When he discovers a space ship coming back from Jupiter, he embarks on a perilous trek thru the tundra (with a young girl) to communicate with the astronauts (led by Felicity Jones and David Oyelowo). The narrative alternates between his journey on Earth and the challenges on their ship. Naturally, there are setbacks for both. Director Clooney has staged the film with wonderful visuals and effective performances, but his dedication to the “drama” leaves too many dull quiet moments. If this 2-hour film had been closer to 90 minutes, it could have been a gripping experience. As it stands, there are compelling sequences and an overall concept that’s interesting, but the sluggish pacing and sometimes strained credibility undermines its flight.… Expand
0 of 3 users found this helpful03
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5
hgerikDec 24, 2020
A decent movie that should have focused on the important things a lot more. There were a lot of left out questions in the end. The end itself was good even tho it felt completly differnt from the rest of the Story. Anyway the movie shouldntA decent movie that should have focused on the important things a lot more. There were a lot of left out questions in the end. The end itself was good even tho it felt completly differnt from the rest of the Story. Anyway the movie shouldnt have been 120 minutes long. They should have removed those scenes where actors just walk around without doing anything and should have filled them with scenes of story explaination. At the end I ask myself questions such as "what really happend to the earth?". The plot felt incomplete and the left out emotions of the movie that were only finally comming through in the last 15 Minutes didnt made it much better.… Expand
0 of 2 users found this helpful02
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4
alizodiacJan 5, 2021
This looks like it's SUPPOSED to be a good movie, but my god how dull and vapid it is! It hardly makes an effort to help you care about the two central characters and their journeys. Midway through, I felt like I'd been watching it for 3This looks like it's SUPPOSED to be a good movie, but my god how dull and vapid it is! It hardly makes an effort to help you care about the two central characters and their journeys. Midway through, I felt like I'd been watching it for 3 hours! By the end, I was actually annoyed. All the emotional beats were OFF, even the score was just.. meh. And that final scene? I wanted to throw the remote at the TV. Clearly, Clooney thought he was making a "masterpiece" but the end result is just a huge and ultimately frustrating let down.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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4
mbeckfordDec 30, 2020
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I love a good apocalyptic thriller but this was a complete yawner. Literally nothing happens on a frozen/torched earth (we never really know what caused the apocalypse) or on the space mission to find a habitable moon/planet. A mute girl shows up "suspiciously" to give Clooney something to worry about, and the usual tropes of traveling in space are the main source of drama there. (The reveal on that girl in the end I had pegged immediately and I'm really not that clever.)

Clooney plays against type as a soft spoken engineer sporting a full-on Santa beard wth a buzz cut. Felicity Jones is a pregnant astronaut with nothing much to do except worry a lot. The most interesting scene was a dream where she's on a potential habitable moon of Jupiter and the ship leaves without her. Now that would've made for an interesting flick, except it was already done with The Martian.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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6
mrc_brnMar 26, 2023
Beautifully shot, it's a rough watch for a number of reasons. The story is not only slow to develop, the story it's almost relentlessly downbeat and/or stressful. Because of the limited dialogue and frequent flashbacks, it's hard to developBeautifully shot, it's a rough watch for a number of reasons. The story is not only slow to develop, the story it's almost relentlessly downbeat and/or stressful. Because of the limited dialogue and frequent flashbacks, it's hard to develop any kind of feeling for any of the characters. Feels like the movie lasts twice as long as it's running time. Well made, but I won't watch it again! Haha… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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5
bfoore90Jan 5, 2021
This film was underwhelming to say the least. Visually, it looked great and it was acted great (Clooney was incredible here) and directed great but the screenplay was messy, predictable and almost pointless.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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4
Brent_MarchantJan 12, 2021
Despite an intriguing premise, flashy special effects and a few touching dialogue exchanges, this overlong bittersweet sci-fi offering about an arctic scientist trying to warn a returning astronaut crew about an unfolding global catastropheDespite an intriguing premise, flashy special effects and a few touching dialogue exchanges, this overlong bittersweet sci-fi offering about an arctic scientist trying to warn a returning astronaut crew about an unfolding global catastrophe that's wiping out the earth's population trudges along at a glacial pace, subjecting viewers to a litany of cinematic sins as it limps toward its conclusion. Among those transgressions are uneven pacing, implausible action sequences, occasionally odd and inexplicable editing, poor handling of the connection between its two principal narrative threads, unbridled predictability, and a wealth of extraneous material that could have been easily snipped. But perhaps the worst offense is the boring treatment of the story; it simply lacks the gripping, dramatic nature necessary to make this material work effectively. A major disappointment.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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6
nilsyDec 23, 2020
Had a decent time watching it but its not a heavy hitter Felt the action it did have was forced and did not fit the story and it basically padded the runtime and toke away from what it did have. Ending felt like it had been rewrittenHad a decent time watching it but its not a heavy hitter Felt the action it did have was forced and did not fit the story and it basically padded the runtime and toke away from what it did have. Ending felt like it had been rewritten after feedback or if someone toke away control from the writer and added what a committee would come up with as a solution to a bad tests score. This is my type of movie and could live with the flaws wasnt a deal breaker for me still a pretty good movie but will not go as far as to recommend it.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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5
SoflasurfrDec 27, 2020
I thought it was fantastic, the setting is about current issues and possible and or probable events (if not overly optimistic). The acting and visuals are perfect, people complaining about it being boring aren looking for an action movie -I thought it was fantastic, the setting is about current issues and possible and or probable events (if not overly optimistic). The acting and visuals are perfect, people complaining about it being boring aren looking for an action movie - not true sci fi.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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5
MallRat15Jan 1, 2021
No where near the worst of the year and no where near the best, you know its just average. George Clooney is good just wish we got to see more of him. The visuals are very nice but the movie does get slow at times. It was a bit long of aNo where near the worst of the year and no where near the best, you know its just average. George Clooney is good just wish we got to see more of him. The visuals are very nice but the movie does get slow at times. It was a bit long of a movie it could have just been paced a little better with more Clooney. An average watch but entertaining enough for the end of 2020.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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4
Emrys89Dec 25, 2020
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. So I did find the idea intriguing but I actually didn't understand what happened on earth to suddenly collapse into chaos and death. The space shipcrew is sort of fine their relations to each other. I dont understand how most basic sense is ignored just for some actions.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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4
SoulWarfareJan 8, 2021
I am an absolute sucker for space and science fiction movies. When I heard that George Clooney, a charismatic and charming actor, was going to direct a space movie; I thought why not. Plus he hasn't acted in a movie since 2016 so I wanted toI am an absolute sucker for space and science fiction movies. When I heard that George Clooney, a charismatic and charming actor, was going to direct a space movie; I thought why not. Plus he hasn't acted in a movie since 2016 so I wanted to see him again. The synopsis is simple "A lone scientist, Augustine (George Clooney), in the Arctic races to contact a crew of astronauts returning home to a mysterious global catastrophe". So does this movie soar above the atmosphere or crash landing hard on the ground?

Firstly, George Clooney gives a wonderful performance and might be the only actor that truly carries this movie. His interaction with a little mute girl Iris is some of the sweetest and the most heartwarming moments in the movie. Additionally, the movie is visually stunning whether it is on the arctic or in space. The visual effects are well done and the score, for the most part, is quite fitting. There are some great set designs such as the initial Arctic base and the spaceship. These all accumulate in some great cinematography and camera shots. The movie also tackles some poignant and meaningful themes about sacrifice, family and hope which is cliche but still done relatively effectively in the movie. There are also a lot of "action" scenes that are inspired by other movies including "Gravity (2013)" which George Clooney also starred in but these scenes still kind of entertaining nonetheless.

However, the pacing of this movie is just atrociously slow. There are too many moments of little to nothing happening that drags this movie. There are also a fair amount of flashbacks and random nightmare which add nothing that just cut in from time to time further damaging the pacing. What's also kind of annoying is that the Arctic stuff is way more enjoyable but in the first half of the movie, they constantly cut towards the Astronaut and space just when things were interesting in the Arctic. On that note of space, the space stuff with the astronauts is so boring. The things with the astronaut in space from the first half of the movie are so devoid of any stakes or emotion that it makes it difficult for me to feel any interest or attachment to any of the astronaut characters. It gets even worse when the entire second half of the movie is focused entirely on the astronauts! It's a shame that the movie didn't just dedicate the entire story to Augustine and Iris on the arctic as this is the most effective element of the movie. The space stuff dampens the story. Due to all of this, the movie never builds enough tension or makes us feel Augustine's commitment because we keep swapping to tedious characters or irrelevant flashbacks and nightmares. There is also a reveal at the end of the movie that just raises so many questions and slightly damages the story more for me. Overall, The Midnight Sky takes a lot of elements from other space movies and apocalyptic movies but doesn't do it as well. It feels like a rather generic movie that doesn't do anything new. It's unfortunate as there is some spark of heart in the movie but the director George doesn't dedicate enough time to it. This is sadly a case of all style but not enough substance movie. Only consider watching this if you want some cool space looking things or you love George Clooney but apart from that, skip it.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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5
UncleWillardJan 11, 2021
Most of the 5 I gave it is for the production values. It looked good. Tried to tell too many stories for me. It reminded me of I Think We're Alone Now, which was superior as far as "last man on earth" stories. I like George Clooney and IMost of the 5 I gave it is for the production values. It looked good. Tried to tell too many stories for me. It reminded me of I Think We're Alone Now, which was superior as far as "last man on earth" stories. I like George Clooney and I can't put my finger on a poor performance, but it made a disaster absolutely boring as paint.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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5
Tomek7Dec 27, 2020
Simple astronomical facts are all wrong! The first 1 1/2 hour of the film is puzzling and boring it gets much better towards the end but then it ends!
Great acting most of the time but the rest leaves to much to be desired.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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6
Bradh6886Jan 2, 2021
Clooney makes a visually and audially stunning piece out of a lackluster script. A less than captivating story arc fails to yield the intended emotional reaction to the somewhat predictable ending. Strong cast and exceptional technicals.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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6
FelpsGPDec 26, 2020
Well... I guess it's good enough. It tries to add a lot of drama in moments it doesn't need and the "plot twist" in the end is just lame and overall there's nothing you haven't seen before. Also, every single aspect needed more work. TheWell... I guess it's good enough. It tries to add a lot of drama in moments it doesn't need and the "plot twist" in the end is just lame and overall there's nothing you haven't seen before. Also, every single aspect needed more work. The background story is extremely shallow, the explanation about the fate of the earth is barely touched, characters need more context, it has weak dialogs and it feels a bit slow. But, I still enjoyed it. The movie has its moments. Everything that happens in the space station is entertaining. The actors deliver a good job and Clooney really immerses himself in the character.
Good camera work, good cgi, colors. It's a very beautiful movie.
In the end, it's a sci-fi drama with some action scenes and I found it interesting. If you like space, go for it, it's not remarkable but it's entertaining.… Expand
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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4
DogeGamer2015Jan 2, 2021
Un desperdicio total de dos horas; es lenta y poco interesante; no la recomiendo.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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6
apiegrapieDec 30, 2020
I was disappointed. There were some great storylines that went nowhere. I would've enjoyed it more if the writers focused more on just a couple of those storylines and really did something with them. Maybe I'll get that from the book?
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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4
avivmApr 21, 2021
Probably the worst science fiction/ futuristic movie I have ever seen. If I can call it a movie, it's more a collection of scenes vaguely connected.
0 of 0 users found this helpful00
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6
MartinMorreySep 17, 2021
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Many good things about this movie, including all the performances, the visuals, and the realism of many of the effects. I actually really liked the pacing. This is not an action movie, its meant to be emotional thought provoking. It's made pretty clear early on that Clooney's character is an unreliable narrator, so lots of allowances can be made in the Arctic thread. Now for the negatives. The space thread appears to be realistic Science Fiction, but then fails to follow that through. Clooney's approach is to filmaking is often to up the ante from the source material, for example "The Ides of March", where this works well. He's done it this time by giving Jupiter a human habitable moon, that does not and would never exist. This is completely unnecessary for the story, and from what I can gather was not there in the book. That really spoiled the space thread for me. Other SF-nerd gripes - the space rocks that hit the spacecraft are completely unrealistic, and the apparent abscence of communication delay does not tally with the apparent passage of the spacecraft though the asteriod belt, or whatever that was meant to be. The space thread can either realistic depiction of space travel, or be fantasy. It's tried to be both, in quite an annoying and unnecessary way.… Expand
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