The Man Who Fell to Earth
The Man Who Fell to Earth

The Man Who Fell to Earth

1976Movie139 minEnglish

Thomas Jerome Newton is an alien who has come to Earth in search of water to save his home planet. Aided by lawyer Oliver Farnsworth, Thomas uses his knowledge of advanced technology to create profitable inventions. While developing a method to transport water, Thomas meets Mary-Lou, a quiet hotel clerk, and begins to fall in love with her. Just as he is ready to leave Earth, Thomas is intercepted by the U.S. government, and his entire plan is threatened.

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Insights

IMDb6.9/10
Rotten Tomatoes76%
Metacritic75/100
Google Users83%
Director: Nicolas RoegGenres: Sci-Fi, Drama

Plot Summary

An alien visitor, named Thomas Jerome Newton, arrives on Earth in search of water to save his drought-stricken planet. He uses his advanced technology to become immensely wealthy and powerful, hoping to fund his return journey. However, the alien's plans are gradually undermined by human corruption, greed, and his own emotional entanglement with the human world.

Critical Reception

Nicolas Roeg's 'The Man Who Fell to Earth' is a visually stunning and thematically complex science fiction film that garnered critical acclaim for its ambition and David Bowie's captivating performance. While some found its narrative elusive, it is widely regarded as a cult classic for its unique portrayal of alienation and the corrupting influence of society.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its striking visual style and Bowie's mesmerizing performance.
  • Recognized for its thought-provoking exploration of alienation and societal critique.
  • Some critics noted its ambiguous narrative and slower pacing.

Google audience: Audiences generally appreciate the film's unique artistic vision and David Bowie's iconic role, often citing its melancholic atmosphere and philosophical undertones as highlights. However, some viewers find the plot to be abstract and difficult to follow.

Fun Fact

David Bowie's iconic alien character, Thomas Jerome Newton, is often seen as a metaphor for Bowie himself, mirroring his own experience as an outsider navigating the music industry and fame.

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TMDB Reviews

1 reviews
CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

Very much a vehicle for David Bowie, this is otherwise a rather derivative and unimaginative story of an alien ("Newton") who arrives on Earth, naked and penniless. He is tasked with trying to find a way to save his own doomed planet, but q...