Prolific filmmakers making sci-fi movies about aliens are often greeted with a cynical raise of eyebrows, but such a notion would do a great injustice to this extraordinary supernatural drama from Jeff Nichols (Take Shelter, Mud) .

Nichols favourite Michael Shannon plays Roy, a divorced father who is on the run from federal officials with his son Alton (Jaeden Leiberher) after it is discovered that the boy possesses otherworldly powers. Roy kidnaps Alton from his mother Sarah (Dunst) with the help of his old friend Lucas (Edgerton) to take him to an undisclosed location where Alton claims that a world changing event of celestial significance will occur and decide his fate.

If that plot sounds at all corny, it is upstaged by the underlying human emotions that take centre stage in this tale. Roy is haunted by his past mistakes as a parent, and trying to do the best he can do to protect his son. And Michael Shannon is a revelation in the role, delivering an awards-calibre performance. Dunst and Edgerton match him in equally good supporting performances, and the bruised heart of the movie really comes through how the older characters are viewed by little Alton.

Midnight Special shatters all the scepticism one might have about Nichols making sci-fi movie by infusing it with meaning, thrilling pace and heart.