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critics consensus

Despite some charms, overt emotional manipulation and an inconsistent tone prevents Martian Child from being the heartfelt dramedy it aspires to be. Read critic reviews

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Martian Child Photos

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Movie Info

Wanting to experience fatherhood, a man (John Cusack) adopts a youngster (Bobby Coleman) who has an unusual crisis of identity, believing he is from Mars, and trouble arises when the man, who devotes himself to his strange son, begins to believe that the boy is indeed an alien.
  • Rating:
    PG (Thematic Elements|Mild Language)
  • Genre:
    kids and family, drama
  • Original Language:
    English
  • Director:
    Menno Meyjes
  • Producer:
    Ed Elbert, David Kirschner, Corey Sienega
  • Writer:
    Seth E. Bass, Jonathan Tolins
  • Release Date (Theaters):
     wide
  • Release Date (Streaming):
  • Box Office (Gross USA):
    $7.5M
  • Runtime:
  • Production Co:
    New Line Cinema, Hannah Rachel Productions Services Ltd.
  • Sound Mix:
    Dolby SRD, DTS, SDDS
  • Aspect Ratio:
    Flat (1.85:1)

Cast & Crew

John Cusack
David
Amanda Peet
Harlee
Oliver Platt
Jeff
Bobby Coleman
Dennis
Joan Cusack
Liz
Sophie Okonedo
Sophie
Richard Schiff
Lefkowitz
David Kaye
Andy
Menno Meyjes
Director
Seth E. Bass
Screenwriter
Jonathan Tolins
Screenwriter
Ed Elbert
Producer
David Kirschner
Producer
Corey Sienega
Producer
Toby Emmerich
Executive Producer
Mark Kaufman
Executive Producer
Matt Moore
Executive Producer
Mike Drake
Executive Producer
Show all Cast & Crew

News & Interviews for Martian Child

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Critic Reviews for Martian Child

All Critics (110) | Top Critics (38) | Fresh (38) | Rotten (72)

View All Critic Reviews (110)

Audience Reviews for Martian Child

  • Sep 04, 2015
    A touching story about adoption and how cruel people can be. Great performance from John Cusack and a great soundtrack makes this well worth watching, even if the ending is utterly predictable. It's predictable in a good way as you would expect from a movie like this.
    Ian W Super Reviewer
  • Dec 02, 2011
    Martian Child has potential, but fails to bring anything new. The plot is basically, kid thinks hes an alien, a guy adopts him, they become father and son, the end. I would be lying if I said there chemistry was not great, because I loved them together. John Cusack is good but this kid was the palest, whiniest, and highest pitched voice kid ever and I didn't like him. Overall its really boring, but its a good father and son movie.
    Bradley W Super Reviewer
  • Mar 05, 2011
    Martian Child has potential, but fails to bring anything new. The plot is basically, kid thinks hes an alien, a guy adopts him, they become father and son, the end. I would be lying if I said there chemistry was not great, because I loved them together. John Cusack is good but this kid was the palest, whiniest, and highest pitched voice kid ever and I didn't like him. Overall its really boring, but its a good father and son movie.
    Jim C Super Reviewer
  • Nov 15, 2010
    Second time I've seen this film and its everything it was when I first saw it on the big screen, outstanding. Bobby Coleman awesome child actor, had me believing he was from Mars, John Cusack played the adopted Dad, and did all he was supposed to do. And the very beautiful Amanda Peet was stellar and was everything most women are not. The move is about a orphan who thinks he's from mars and is up for adoption. 5 Stars a Good Clean Family Film.
    Bruce B Super Reviewer
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