Super 8

In late 1970s Ohio, a group of friends filming a homemade zombie movie witness a devastating train derailment. Soon after, their quiet town is gripped by unexplained disappearances, strange phenomena, and a growing sense of fear, as they uncover that something terrifying has been set loose.

J.J. Abrams' love letter to late-70s Spielberg earns genuine warmth and thrills from its young cast and emotionally grounded coming-of-age story, but critics split sharply over whether the film is a confident homage or a hollow imitation — and the ending drew particular fire for failing to sustain what the first two acts built. The Spielberg echoes are impossible to miss, and for some that's the whole problem.