After Earth

May 2013

(2,945)

Synopsis

One thousand years after cataclysmic events forced humanity's escape from Earth, Nova Prime has become mankind's new home. Legendary General Cypher Raige returns from an extended tour of duty to his estranged family, ready to be a father to his 13-year-old son, Kitai. When an asteroid storm damages Cypher and Kitai's craft, they crash-land on a now unfamiliar and dangerous Earth. As his father lies dying in the cockpit, Kitai must trek across the hostile terrain to recover their rescue beacon. His whole life, Kitai has wanted nothing more than to be a soldier like his father. Today, he gets his chance.

Reviews

3.5

2,945 total

5 1,068

4 596

3 503

2 284

1 494

Richard Brody

As drama, After Earth offers no surprises; as action, it's rarely stimulating; as a parenting manual, it seems that Will has thrown Jaden into water that's a little too deep.

Tom Huddleston

Most disappointing is the film's lack of ambition, as what could have been a sparky mainstream space opera becomes just another tedious jungle chase movie.

Owen Gleiberman

The movie takes off from a concept as basic as a videogame, and it sticks to that concept, without surprise.

Christopher Orr

A film in which the text and subtext-an effortlessly gifted father presses his less-talented son to follow in his footsteps-are in perfect alignment. Alas, only in one of the two does the story end happily.

David Edelstein

By the standards of M. Night's Shyamalan's recent films, After Earth is surprisingly not horrible.

Matt Zoller Seitz

It's no classic, but it's a special movie: spectacular and wise.

Critic reviews

Richard Brody

As drama, After Earth offers no surprises; as action, it's rarely stimulating; as a parenting manual, it seems that Will has thrown Jaden into water that's a little too deep.

Full Review

Tom Huddleston

Most disappointing is the film's lack of ambition, as what could have been a sparky mainstream space opera becomes just another tedious jungle chase movie.

Full Review

Owen Gleiberman

The movie takes off from a concept as basic as a videogame, and it sticks to that concept, without surprise.

Full Review

Christopher Orr

Full Review

David Edelstein

By the standards of M. Night's Shyamalan's recent films, After Earth is surprisingly not horrible.

Full Review

Matt Zoller Seitz

It's no classic, but it's a special movie: spectacular and wise.

Full Review

Peter Rainer

It's impossible to take this movie seriously, certainly not as seriously as it takes itself.

Full Review

User reviews

Tierre Jevon September 20, 2014

Solid Movie I'm a fan of Will Smith's movies so I'm probably a bit biased. To be honest, I didn't expect much going into this film. M. Night has ruined potentially good films in the past and I was worried going into this movie, but it actually turned out quite enjoyable. There are, however, issues with the plot and some other directional decisions, but I find it to be quite ok.

Jared Day October 13, 2013

Awful!! I thought this was going to be an awesome show, sorely disappointed. This was a low budget show with some really bad acting. I was surprised because I think Will Smith is awesome. It was just plain bad

John Whitehead September 25, 2013

A good movie I don't understand the criticism. This was a good movie. Good special effects, good story line, and good acting. The movie kept the whole family immersed!

Jim Y September 24, 2013

What have you done M. Night? Your name was hidden from ads on purpose. Now I like Will Smith and I love M. Night, but this want even a watchable throw away scifi movie. No directing or plot twist by Night. Will Smith is robotic. The worst thing is smith's son. Oh my god is a terrible actor?? I have seen 3rd grade school plays with better acting. By far the absolute worse movie that M. Night has been a part of. Save your money and pass.

William Lay October 16, 2013

Good but not great... This film was fun and i enjoyed watching it i might even consider purchasing it. However, Shyamalan has lost his edge and Will Smith is asleep at the wheel the whole film "literally". Jaden, trying to not be his father and define himself as an actor he made mistakes but let's face he is a teenager. I think people need to give him more slack and realize he is a kid trying to discover himself. Out of 10, I give this file a 7. It kept me entertained and that was all I asked for.

Kathryn Ashcraft October 10, 2013

Good family film. Great for young adults... Not so much for adults. I'm not certain whether the writing was sloppy or if they cut a lot out of the script. Great big plot holes everywhere. Really, the acting and fx carry the film. The science in it is, well, laughable. Kinda like in Barnyard when all the steer were running around with utters. Painful to watch sometimes.

MontanaMuzach October 15, 2013

Absolutely Horrible Jaden Smith has to be one of the worst actors I've ever seen. His movements, voice, and everything about him has the ability to make you want to break things. Great concept and could have been a great movie, but bad acting and over explanation of everything from Will to Jaden made me feel like I was in a tutorial for a video game.

Jessica Garcia October 17, 2013

Great Movie I wanted to see for myself how bad the acting was according to all the comments from others. It starts out as a slow build up but it definitely gets better. Great visual effects. The acting was superb by both father and son.

Julie Ann December 31, 2013

Wow! 100% awesomeness. Will did a great job as usual. Jaden did an outstanding job playing the rebellious son. One of the best movies I've ever seen. Real talk. Great job guys.

Jacob Barnett October 8, 2013

Haters This movie was very interesting and very good storyline I have to admit will Smiths son didn't really do too great on the acting part but he did great on the action packed scenes that were there there and don't hate on on the director in the past he did make horrible movies but this one was a good one.

Michele Taylor September 26, 2013

Michele T. My family and I really liked this movie. It was no blockbuster, but it was suspenseful and entertaining. The part where the daughter was killed by the beast, I think that could have been done a little better, the visual effects of it. It did have some fakeness to it, just that part. But all in all, I would buy it. Jaden and Will Smith did a good job. The part with the bird protecting Jaden Smith was awesome. Could have had more monsters too. Maybe if they make a sequel, they can improve it a bit.

Steven Mueller October 5, 2013

very different - greatly done - loved it Interesting story with cool aspects. Beautiful scenery. Good acting with a deep story. I almost did not watch the movie due to its rating but thought Will Smith is a no fail, and so it was. Happy I purchased it - great job!!! By the way we realized at the end that this is done by the Smith family, even more impressive.

Zoe Black October 16, 2013

Horrible Will's kid was horrible. I wanted to kill myself listening to him talk. I felt like I was being tortured. It was just bad. I watched 30 mins and couldn't force myself to finish.

Cyd Oman June 29, 2014

Enjoyable Sci-fi Action Movie After reading some of the negative reviewer comments, I was reluctant to purchase this movie, but decided to chance it, based on the past quality of the efforts pairing father and son. I'm glad I went with my own personal judgment. This is a very well done movie with stupendous special effects, a fast-paced plot, great acting and editing and a subtext that makes the movie a splendid family viewing opportunity. The movie is worth owning.

Kellen Andrilenas November 16, 2013

Terrible Movie I actually had to stop watching this movie about 30 minutes in. I think that Will Smith is a genuinely good actor; however, his delivery was incredibly wooden and poor in After Earth. His son is really terrible too, and it is unfortunate that the story rests on his shoulders. I also didn't understand the poorly done pseudo-British accents that characters were pulling off (including Will Smith's son). I really would not recommend this to anyone, even for a bad movie night...it just isn't enjoyable. I give it two stars because of the pretty special effects.

Joshua Beloungy September 30, 2013

I fell asleep... several times The effects are decent and story is ok but I fell asleep several times. What's really bad is that Smith wrote this movie and M. Night shamalamadingdong directed this. I didn't think M. Night did too badly directing but you would think in the future they'd have better weapons than staffs with sharp bits on the end... If you have to choose between this and Oblivion go with oblivion an that means something since oblivion was predictable,at least it had action & Freeman in it.

timothy coen October 4, 2013

Could have been cool, but wasn't. Cool concept, acting was bad, directing was meh... Was upset that I was mislead by trailers; Will Smith isn't much of a big role at all, it is mainly his son, who is a sub-par actor. Wouldn't recommend this to anyone.

Michael Ganucheau November 15, 2013

The worst movie ever This is the worst movie I have ever seen, glaring plot holes , garbage ridicules made up science, boring , stupid premise, card board acting and that putting it nicely, jaden smith gives the worst performance in what can be only said to be in an attempted British accent ,if I could I would give this movies negative stars

Joseph Parker October 10, 2013

I may be lame But I always enjoy M. Night's work. I always keep an open mind. Sure, Jaden needs some work, but the story was cool and the setting was awesome. If you have a small attention span or are expecting an Oscar winner, watch something else. If you like sci-fi and appreciate something unconventional, give it a shot.

SliM BanGz December 28, 2013

Trash The Story Was Good And Everything But The Acting Was Horrible The Graphics Where Also Terrible And To Will Smith Just Because You Dont Have Fear Doesnt Mean Your Emotionless I Mean Really Boring And Who Else Saw As Soon As Jaden Learned Not To Fear He Got Even More Emotionless(Which I Knew Was Gunna Happen)Just Plain Bad

Cast and credits

Actors	Jaden Smith, Will Smith, Zoë Isabella Kravitz, Sophie Okonedo, Glenn Morshower, Kristofer Hivju
Producers	Caleeb Pinkett, Jada Pinkett Smith, James Lassiter
Director	M Night Shyamalan
Writers	Will Smith, Gary Whitta, M. Night Shyamalan

Additional information

Rotten tomatoes® score

11%

Audio language

English (Stereo, 5.1 Surround)

Subtitles

English

Info cards

Enabled

Run time

100 minutes

Rating

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