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Terrestrial

Play trailer 1:23 Poster for Terrestrial Oct 2026 1h 30m Sci-Fi Mystery & Thriller Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
74% Tomatometer 35 Reviews Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
Not long ago, Allen (Jermaine Fowler, SORRY TO BOTHER YOU) was a struggling science-fiction writer trying to get his work seen and his voice heard. But now he's living high in the Hollywood Hills in a big mansion with a fountain, a vintage Mustang, and a room devoted to THE NEPTUNE CYCLE, the classic science-fiction novels written by Allen's hero, S.J. Purcell (Brendan Hunt, TED LASSO). Allen's friends Maddie (Pauline Chalamet, SEX LIVES OF COLLEGE GIRLS), Ryan (James Morosini, I LOVE MY DAD) and Vic (Edy Modica, JURY DUTY) have come to visit and celebrate Allen's big book and movie deal, but they're quick to believe his out-of-nowhere good fortune may be too good to be true. And Allen's erratic behavior isn't helping matters any; he's coming across as sad, paranoid, and delusional, not like someone who's about to hit the big time. Is it writer's block? Or maybe they picked the wrong time to visit? And maybe they weren't the only ones?

Critics Reviews

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Dennis Harvey Variety Jul 25, 2025
Paced to an unhurried yet waste-free perfection by editor Neal Wynne, “Terrestrial” is a modest enterprise so cannily handled, it plays out like a surprise package of droll delights. Go to Full Review
Clint Worthington RogerEbert.com Jul 22, 2025
… it’s an interesting little psychological thriller that carries its own darkly comic streak. Go to Full Review
Tim Grierson Screen International Jul 21, 2025
Terrestrial is so concerned with the logistics of Allen’s layered ruse and its unforeseen complications that the picture devolves into an inelegant farce, the body count rising as the implausibilities pile up. Go to Full Review
Todd Jorgenson Cinemalogue Oct 23, 2026
Despite some scrappy ambition and solid performances, the film loses coherence and momentum in the final act. Amid its muddled twists, the tension dwindles. Go to Full Review
Brett Arnold At the Movies Again Oct 23, 2026
A unique take on the "fake it til you make it" genre Go to Full Review
Avi Offer NYC Movie Guru Oct 22, 2026
An overstuffed, underbaked and clunky psychological thriller that blends satire and sci-fi with very underwhelming results. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Movie Mike 6 days ago I DID NOT EXPECT THAT! See more jesse v Oct 24, 2026 a guy who's obsessed with a science fiction series creator somehow burglarized his house thanks to a random alien telling his future. not sure WHY he went into the house, and why the kids randomly show up. also why are there only two people that have cellphones here? the movie has a very weird 5.1 audio mix and too much contrast in terms of photography where most of the story is spent in the big house. there is no real climax to this story up until the last act and no one questioned the gigantic tent next door at the beginning. i was more interested in the fake sci-fi tv show than the main story. See more Mandy D @RT87333845 5 days ago If you want to see a movie with a crazy twist this is the one! See more Jason W @RT76187770 6 days ago Good movie for most part. Had you guessing whole time. See more Ryan P @cinemafan26 Oct 23, 2026 Really fun movie. I had no idea what was going to happen. Definitely worth seeing! See more B P @Bradster69 Oct 23, 2026 Worth a Watch See more Read all reviews
Terrestrial

My Rating

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Movie Info

Synopsis Not long ago, Allen (Jermaine Fowler, SORRY TO BOTHER YOU) was a struggling science-fiction writer trying to get his work seen and his voice heard. But now he's living high in the Hollywood Hills in a big mansion with a fountain, a vintage Mustang, and a room devoted to THE NEPTUNE CYCLE, the classic science-fiction novels written by Allen's hero, S.J. Purcell (Brendan Hunt, TED LASSO). Allen's friends Maddie (Pauline Chalamet, SEX LIVES OF COLLEGE GIRLS), Ryan (James Morosini, I LOVE MY DAD) and Vic (Edy Modica, JURY DUTY) have come to visit and celebrate Allen's big book and movie deal, but they're quick to believe his out-of-nowhere good fortune may be too good to be true. And Allen's erratic behavior isn't helping matters any; he's coming across as sad, paranoid, and delusional, not like someone who's about to hit the big time. Is it writer's block? Or maybe they picked the wrong time to visit? And maybe they weren't the only ones?
Director
Steve Pink
Producer
Molly Gilula, Josh Jason, Molly Conners, AJ Bourscheid, Austin Lantero, Rachel Walden, Pauline Chalamet, Luca Balser, Ramfis Myrthil
Screenwriter
Connor Diedrich, Connor Diedrich, Samuel Johnson
Distributor
Aero Films
Production Co
Hurley/Pickle Productions
Genre
Sci-Fi, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language
English
Release Date (Theaters)
Oct 23, 2026, Limited
Box Office (Gross USA)
$12.1K
Runtime
1h 30m
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