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Sci-fi thriller

The Midnight Sky (2020): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Ending

The Midnight Sky (2020) movie poster

The Midnight Sky is a 2020 sci-fi thriller starring George Clooney as Augustine, Ethan Peck and Sophie Rundle. It is partly based on Good Morning, Midnight by Lily Brooks-Dalton. It runs 2 hours 2 minutes and earned $70,018 worldwide. It was nominated for 1 Oscar. Critics gave it 50% on Rotten Tomatoes and 58 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.7/10.

IMDb rating
5.7/10
Rotten Tomatoes
50%
worldwide gross
$70K
award nominations
6
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The Midnight Sky (2020) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h 2m (122 min)
Genres
Sci-Fi , Drama , Thriller , Fantasy
Original language
English
Studio
Netflix
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is The Midnight Sky About?

The premise of The Midnight Sky without spoilers, adapted from Good Morning, Midnight by Lily Brooks-Dalton. The whole story and the ending explained are in the plot summary further down.

In the near future, a lone scientist stationed at the Arctic observes Earth facing a catastrophic event. He desperately transmits a warning to a spacecraft carrying astronauts on their return journey. As the crew hurtles towards a potentially uninhabitable planet, the scientist races against time to ensure they receive his message and alter their course. The fate of humanity hangs in the balance.

The Midnight Sky Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • spaceship
  • scientist
  • survival
  • space adventure
  • astronaut
  • old man
  • 7 year old girl
  • arctic circle
  • research station
  • snowstorm
  • lonesomeness
  • dialysis
+38 more
  • evacuation
  • left behind
  • space travel
  • plane wreck
  • winchester rifle
  • flashback
  • space colony
  • jovian moon
  • global catastrophe
  • mass death
  • arctic research station
  • jovian mission
  • observatory
  • mass evacuation
  • last survivors
  • blood transfusion
  • terminal illness
  • ecological disaster
  • pregnant woman
  • beard
  • pregnancy
  • ice cracking
  • broken ice
  • snowmobile
  • blizzard
  • dead bird
  • dead body
  • airplane crash
  • stolen art
  • mercy killing
  • gunshot
  • rifle
  • sweet caroline the song
  • sweet caroline
  • hologram
  • end of the world
  • apocalypse
  • hallucination
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Cast & crew

The Midnight Sky Cast & Characters

George Clooney leads the cast as Augustine, with Ethan Peck as Younger Augustine and Sophie Rundle as Jean.

Also Starring in The Midnight Sky

· 6 more
Ratings

The Midnight Sky Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave The Midnight Sky 50% on Rotten Tomatoes and 58 on Metacritic, and IMDb users rate it 5.7/10. Our Echo Score gives it 60/100, strongest in art & craft (75) and weakest in rewatch factor (45).

60 /100

The Midnight Sky Echo Score Breakdown

The Midnight Sky exhibits strong production values and commendable lead performances but suffers from uneven narrative cohesion and leisurely pacing. Many observers commend the film’s visual ambition and George Clooney’s restrained portrayal while pointing to the story’s fragmented structure and a tendency toward extended, underdeveloped sequences. Viewers generally agree that the atmospheric tone and occasional emotional moments are offset by narrative clichés and sluggish progression. As a result, the overall impact is engaging in places but uneven throughout the runtime.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 75

    In terms of art and craft, The Midnight Sky offers striking cinematography and a thoughtful production design that underscore its post-apocalyptic settings. The direction shows moments of atmospheric depth, with carefully composed framing and color choices. However, some transitions feel abrupt and editing choices occasionally disrupt narrative flow. Overall, the visual ambition is notable but inconsistently realized.

  • Character & Emotion 60

    When it comes to character and emotion, the film benefits from George Clooney’s measured performance and occasional emotional resonance in supporting scenes. Several moments evoke genuine empathy, particularly in the depiction of isolation and loss. Yet the relationships lack sufficient development, and secondary figures remain underexplored. Consequently, emotional connections are intermittent rather than sustained.

  • Story & Flow 50

    In terms of story and flow, the narrative presents an intriguing premise but struggles with pacing and coherence. Early segments build atmospheric tension, however several plot threads accumulate without satisfactory resolution. Critics and viewers note lengthy sequences that feel self-indulgent, and the midpoint twist lacks sufficient groundwork. As a result, engagement fluctuates across the film’s duration.

  • Sensory Experience 70

    Regarding sensory experience, the film’s score and sound design contribute to a moody, immersive atmosphere that enhances key moments of solitude. The soundtrack occasionally elevates the tension, and ambient effects underscore the Arctic and space environments. Yet at times the audio mix feels subdued, reducing impact during critical sequences. Overall, the sensory palette is effective but uneven.

  • Rewatch Factor 45

    In terms of rewatch factor, the film’s slow pacing and unresolved subplots diminish its replay value. While the atmospheric visuals and occasional emotional beats may offer brief interest on repeat viewings, the narrative fragmentation and lack of character development limit deeper appreciation. Consequently, the film holds modest appeal for subsequent viewings.

Plot

The Midnight Sky Plot Summary & Ending Explained

What happens in The Midnight Sky from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events and the ending explained. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

Augustine Lofthouse, a driven scientist, is tirelessly searching for habitable planets where humanity could sustain life. His journey begins at a gala where he meets Jean Sullivan, leading to a romantic relationship. Unfortunately, as his obsession with work grows, Jean leaves him after a pregnancy scare, unable to connect emotionally with him. Years later, Augustine unexpectedly encounters Jean and discovers they share a daughter, but he chooses to keep his distance from them.

Full summary

The whole story of The Midnight Sky, scene by scene, with the ending explained

Read the full summary
Box office

The Midnight Sky Box Office

The Midnight Sky grossed $70,018 worldwide.

2020 box office

Worldwide gross

$70K

International
$70K
Awards

The Midnight Sky Awards & Nominations

The Midnight Sky was nominated for 1 Oscar. The 6 nominations come from 4 ceremonies, the most at the Critics' Choice 2021.

6 nominations4 ceremonies

Videos

The Midnight Sky Trailers & Videos

3 videos: 2 trailers and 1 teaser.

THE MIDNIGHT SKY starring George Clooney | Official Trailer | Netflix
  • Trailer The Midnight Sky | Final Trailer | George Clooney | Netflix
  • Teaser THE MIDNIGHT SKY starring George Clooney | Date Announcement | Netflix
Quiz

How Well Do You Know The Midnight Sky?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

Who plays the character Dr. Augustine Lofthouse in 'The Midnight Sky'?

Cars

Cars in The Midnight Sky

2 cars on screen: the 2007 Jeep Patriot and the Jeep Wrangler.

  • 2007 Jeep Patriot in The Midnight Sky 2007 Jeep Patriot Minor role
  • Jeep Wrangler in The Midnight Sky Jeep Wrangler Background role
Details

The Midnight Sky Also Known As

26 alternative titles, including “Good Morning” and “Cielo de Medianoche”.

Also known as
  • Good Morning
  • Cielo de Medianoche
  • 永夜漂流
  • 早安,午夜
  • 午夜天空
  • 미드나이트 스카이
  • ミッドナイト・スカイ:2020
  • آسمان نیمه شب
  • สัญญาณสงัด
  • O Céu da Meia-Noite
  • Půlnoční nebe
  • Minuit dans l'Univers
+14 more
  • Az éjféli égbolt
  • Полночное небо
  • Gece Yarısı Gökyüzü
  • Ο Ουρανός του Μεσονυχτίου
  • Niebo o północy
  • שמי חצות
  • Среднощното небе
  • Lấp Lánh Trời Đêm
  • Опівнічне небо
  • Ponoćno nebo
  • ミッドナイト・スカイ
  • Polnočné nebo
  • Cerul de la miezul noptii
  • آسمان نیمه‌شب

Seen The Midnight Sky?

FAQ

The Midnight Sky FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Awards

Runtime, release date, cast, box office, ratings, the book behind it, awards and post-credit scenes of The Midnight Sky, each answered in a sentence.

How long is The Midnight Sky?

The Midnight Sky runs 2 hours 2 minutes (122 minutes).

When was The Midnight Sky released?

The Midnight Sky was released on December 11, 2020.

Who is in the cast of The Midnight Sky?

The Midnight Sky stars George Clooney as Augustine, Ethan Peck as Younger Augustine and Sophie Rundle as Jean, among 10 credited actors.

How much did The Midnight Sky make at the box office?

The Midnight Sky grossed $70,018 worldwide.

How is The Midnight Sky rated?

The Midnight Sky has 5.7/10 on IMDb, 50% on Rotten Tomatoes, 58 on Metacritic and 57% on TMDB.

Is The Midnight Sky based on a book?

Yes. The Midnight Sky is partly adapted from Good Morning, Midnight by Lily Brooks-Dalton.

Was The Midnight Sky nominated for any awards?

The Midnight Sky received 6 nominations across 4 ceremonies.

Does The Midnight Sky have a post-credit scene?

No. The Midnight Sky has no extra scene during or after the credits.

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