‘Greatest sci-fi movie of all time’ quietly added to Netflix (Image: Peter Dazeley, Peter Dazeleyvia Getty Images)
Certain cinema enthusiasts are suggesting it’s an overlooked gem.
Netflix UK has just added an underappreciated 1984 film that some supporters believe might quietly rank amongst the finest science fiction pictures ever made.
Step aside Steven Spielberg – this breathtaking yet emotionally intricate sci-fi drama was regrettably eclipsed by the likes of E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, which arrived just two years prior.
It was also helmed by John Carpenter, whose legendary films such as Halloween and The Thing have achieved untouchable cinematic status despite garnering a lukewarm response upon their initial release.
Nevertheless, numerous Carpenter admirers are adamant that Starman could represent his finest work, even though it continues to be amongst his most lesser-known titles to this day, reports <a href=”https://www.mirror.co.uk/film/netflix-sci-fi-film-starman-37135883″>the Mirror</a>.
An alien comes down to Earth and takes the form of Jenny’s late husband (Image: COLUMBIA PICTURES)
This understated and heartbreaking drama features Raiders of the Lost Ark’s Karen Allen as newly widowed Jenny Hayden, who comes across an alien entity whose spacecraft has been destroyed by the US government.
Jenny is astonished when the extraterrestrial assumes the appearance of her deceased husband, Scott (portrayed by Jeff Bridges), and must grapple with her complicated emotions as they collaborate to return him home.
Upon its 1984 release, Starman garnered mixed critical response and only generated a modest $28 million (£20.5m) against a $24 million (£17.8m) budget.
Nevertheless, in subsequent years it has endured for Carpenter’s admirers and now has a fresh opportunity to be uncovered following its addition to Netflix in the UK. One 10/10 IMDb review declared it a “masterpiece” and claimed: “Quite simply. This is the best John Carpenter film hands down. It’s abundantly obvious that he took extra care to give us the best film he could on a limited budget.
“I can’t help it, but I’m a sucker for alien films with a positive message, and this is one of the best.”
Fans say Jeff Bridges should have won an Oscar for his performance (Image: COLUMBIA PICTURES)
Someone else declared: “You may be shocked to read that this is one of the best science fiction movies ever made.”
They went on: “It’s not enough to say that both Jeff Bridges and Karen Allen are this film’s magical centerpiece. They certainly make for one of the most dynamic, unusual and interesting screen couples in cinematic history, certainly one of the best screen couples in the history of science fiction cinema.”
Another confessed: “Even after almost 40 years and countless times of watching, it still brings a tear to my eye, it’s very heart warming.”
A final enthusiast labelled Starman “E.T. for adults”, calling it a “great injustice” that Bridges failed to clinch an Academy Award for his portrayal.
“They do not make films like it anymore, and that is a real shame,” the reviewer concluded.
For those seeking a fresh cinematic gem this week, Netflix delivers in the shape of this romantic, gripping, and poignant sci-fi classic that has truly withstood the passage of time.
Starman is available to stream on Netflix.