This 2013 Will Smith Sci-Fi Film Is One of M. Night Shyamalan’s Most Underrated Movies

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10 years on from its 2013 debut, “After Earth” (now streaming on Peacock) remains one of M. Night Shyamalan’s costliest directorial endeavors in my eyes. In this movie, Will Smith and his son Jaden, who was 14 at the time, portray a father-son duo grappling with their family issues after being stranded on what appears to be our long-abandoned future planet. With an impressive budget of $130 million, “After Earth” was Shyamalan’s grand sci-fi production, but it only managed to gross $243 million worldwide, a relatively modest return compared to its substantial cost.

Generally, critics heavily criticized the movie, pointing out awkward dialogue and an apparent lack of chemistry between its two well-known stars – a sentiment that seems reasonable given that After Earth was released just a year after Will Smith delivered one of his characteristic over-the-top comedic performances alongside Josh Brolin in Men in Black 3 (now streaming on Peacock here). Re-watching After Earth today, it’s challenging to agree completely with the reviews… however, they may have overlooked the impressive creative daring that permeates almost every scene of After Earth and its entirely unique sci-fi universe.

For More on M. Night Shyamalan

1. Originally, Will Smith proposed “After Earth” as a trilogy with a scale larger than that of Marvel or Star Wars.

2. The cast of M. Night Shyamalan’s “Old” discovered optimism in the film’s fear-inducing, time-altering suspense.

3. Abby Quinn from “The Cabin in the Woods” shares her experience being killed by director M. Night Shyamalan.

After Earth: Will & Jaden Smith’s sci-fi spectacle that (mostly) still holds up

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Just like today, it’s hard to argue that “After Earth” is visually striking. Filmed on location along both U.S. coasts and in the lush wilderness of Costa Rica, this movie was born from Smith’s concept for a father-son survival story, with no initial connection to “After Earth”‘s science fiction elements.

In the movie setting of a post-catastrophe future, veteran screenwriter Gary Whitta (known for “The Book of Eli” and “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story”) reworked Smith’s concept to fit this scenario. The relationship between Will’s character, Cypher Raige, a stern military general who hides his softer side, and Jaden’s character, Kitai Raige, an eagerness-to-please son who often finds himself in his father’s shadow, was portrayed as a deeply emotional yet reserved confrontation.

In essence, it’s an intriguing setup: After a crash-landing with a dangerous creature in tow, Kitai eventually escapes the controlling influence of his militaristic father in a world that has returned to its untouched, prehistoric state. With Cypher injured and unable to move, it falls on Kitai to traverse this treacherous planet alone, relying only on his father’s video communication (and an amazingly advanced space spear), to find and activate a vital rescue signal.

Apart from some previous family issues hinted at by flashbacks, you don’t require extensive background knowledge to jump into the straightforward storyline of After Earth. In the current era post-MCU, where saving the world is a common sci-fi theme, this narrative might seem less grandiose than what we’ve grown accustomed to. However, in today’s movie landscape, a simpler space film focusing on a father and son strengthening their bond amidst hardships feels refreshingly different, rather than less appealing. If all the stars aligned perfectly in a sci-fi movie universe, there should be space for both epic tales that save galaxies and also for occasional heartwarming tales of a father and son.

The world-building of M. Night Shyamalan’s After Earth

In its world creation and visually appealing set design, After Earth stands out particularly. Unlike many films that are based on existing intellectual properties, this movie was independently developed, from the initial concept to the final product, by its creators’ original ideas. It deserves recognition for daringly inventing a new science fiction world entirely from scratch and then constructing a coherent and consistent universe filled with spacecraft, striking landscapes, formidable creatures, futuristic gadgets, and breathtaking planetary panoramas.

In a surprising twist, the stunning visuals of the movie “After Earth” stand out against its less grandiose and personal human narrative. Despite Will Smith Sr. and Jr.’s notable acting skills being somewhat absent from this film, it still manages to leave an impact. The world of genre movies could greatly benefit from more well-defined smaller sci-fi concepts like this one. As an added advantage, the movie’s concentration on its two primary characters allows it to clearly establish ground rules for its storyline, making it easier for viewers to understand what is and isn’t possible within its well-crafted fictional universe.

In Shyamalan’s expansive movie catalog, there are undeniably a few films that didn’t resonate with audiences (particularly The Happening). However, despite its shortcomings, After Earth is not one of those disappointments. Upon rewatching it, you might find yourself wishing that the film’s underperformance at the box office hadn’t dashed any dreams of it becoming the foundation for a bigger science fiction franchise (and a recent surge in popularity of this fan-made “sequel” trailer serves as a reminder that you’re not the only one who feels this way).

Similar to the 2012 film John Carter, After Earth is a science fiction movie that, despite having a collection of intriguing ideas, failed to establish a successful franchise due to a rush in the box office that didn’t allow for a second chance. Over a decade later, it remains an enjoyable (and visually stunning) viewing experience, and you can stream it on Peacock here.

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2025-01-22 22:16