THE MIDNIGHT SKY

George Clooney’s The Midnight Sky is an exciting, well-made science fiction movie built around jeopardy and suspense. Its performances are strong, and Clooney also does a good job as director. The story presents a decaying Earth and the hope of a new planet for humanity, while also giving significant attention to pregnancy, children, and moral responsibility.

That strong moral core does not erase the concerns. The movie includes strong violence, brief but notable foul language, drunkenness, implied extramarital sex, and an environmentalist undertone. Its content rating is −2, so this is not a family movie for children or young teens.

If you are a discerning adult who values suspenseful science fiction and can navigate those concerns, The Midnight Sky is worth watching; otherwise, choose something gentler for your family.

As Earth’s air becomes virtually unbreathable, scientist Augustine searches for a new planet where humanity might live. One spaceship has located the planet, but Augustine appears to be the only person left on Earth.

Then he discovers Iris, a little girl left behind at the Arctic base where he works. When worsening air forces Augustine and Iris toward the top of the mountain, their survival becomes uncertain. Meanwhile, a returning spaceship carries a crew with its own hopes for the future.

Four stars means this is a highly entertaining and well-crafted film. The Midnight Sky offers lots of jeopardy and suspense, with appealing and interesting performances. George Clooney’s direction is also strong.

The movie is based on a book and includes a few different levels, including flashbacks. Even so, the film remains an exciting science fiction story with an engaging cast and strong dramatic stakes.

The Midnight Sky presents a light mixed pagan worldview alongside environmentalist undertones. Its central assumption is that Earth could decay totally and that pollution could make the air unbreathable. However, the movie includes only one line of dialogue about failing to take care of the Earth, so the environmental message is not heavily emphasized.

That environmentalism is mitigated by strong moral elements, especially a very clear pro-life message about pregnancy and children. Augustine is deeply invested in his work and discovery, even after falling in love. When the woman he loves tells him she is pregnant but has lost the child, he is sad but remains focused on his work. The story therefore recognizes the value of children while showing the painful cost of placing personal ambition above relationships.

The movie’s worldview is mixed, then. It includes environmentalist ideas and pagan elements, but it also affirms moral seriousness and the value of human life. Its central longing for a future home and for humanity to continue can point viewers toward the biblical truth that life and the world belong to God: “The earth is the LORD’s and the fullness thereof” (Psalm 24:1).

The Midnight Sky is suspenseful, well-made science fiction with strong performances and a clear pro-life message. But its violence, profanity, drunkenness, implied fornication, and mixed worldview make it unsuitable for children and young teens. For discerning adults, it is WORTH THE TRIP — ADULTS ONLY. For a family alternative, see.