From Other Worlds (2004)

38% of critics liked it
(13 reviews)
14% of users liked it
(181 ratings)

A despondent Brooklyn housewife whose life has become a boring and predictable routine finds her entire perception of the universe changed upon experiencing a close-encounter in her very own kitchen. Joanne Schwartzbaum (Cara Buono) has been sleepwalking her way through life for as far back as she… More A despondent Brooklyn housewife whose life has become a boring and predictable routine finds her entire perception of the universe changed upon experiencing a close-encounter in her very own kitchen. Joanne Schwartzbaum (Cara Buono) has been sleepwalking her way through life for as far back as she can remember, but when an alien force reveals itself to her she is instantly snapped out of her complacent existence. Upon seeing a flier for a UFO support group during her weekly outing to the grocery store, Joanne determines to attend the meeting in hopes that it will provide her with a better understanding of her strange experience. When Joanne strikes up a friendly conversation with African immigrant Abraham Kanga (Isaach De Bankole) and realizes that they have both been branded by their extraterrestrial abductors, she enlists the aid of the amiable cab driver and market worker in solving the perplexing mystery. In the days that follow Joanne's frantic sleuthing activities become increasingly troubling to her incredulous husband Brain (David Lansbury), who soon begins to suspect that his wife is having an affair. Later, when Joanne sees a television news broadcast announcing the discovery of an unusual papyrus Egyptian scroll, she enlists the aid of her UFO support group to break into the Brooklyn Art Museum, snatch the curious artifact, and save the human race. Director Barry Strugatz helms a sci-fi spoof that gleefully pays homage to the B-movie hits of yesteryear while offering an absorbing tale of one woman's quest to stave off an impending alien invasion. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 28 min.
Directed By: Barry Strugatz
Genres: Science Fiction & Fantasy, Comedy

In Theaters: Jun 30, 2004 Wide
On DVD: May 8, 2007

Critic Reviews

Robert Koehler, Variety
Amiable and arch comedy.
Kyle Smith, New York Post
The 'comic' musical score is an embarrassment out of a '60s sitcom, and the supporting actors wouldn't make the cut at a high school audition.
Elizabeth Weitzman, New York Daily News
There are a few funny jokes scattered throughout, but the halfhearted direction and clunky script are underscored by performances that feel like they belong in community theater.
Jeannette Catsoulis, New York Times
Aliens offer a cure for earthling ennui in From Other Worlds, a limp sci-fi comedy with fewer laughs than a meeting of Abductees Anonymous.
Ed Gonzalez, Village Voice
... toothless caprice ...
Kam Williams, EURWeb
Yo, take me to your leader!
Rory L. Aronsky, Film Threat
A versatile attempt at the sci-fi genre, which makes its mark by not being an outright sci-fi movie.
Eric Monder, Film Journal International
From Other Worlds may not be out of this world. But it makes diverting earthly entertainment.
Phil Hall, Film Threat
UFOs in Brooklyn? Fuggedaboutit!
Scott Tobias, AV Club
The word "slight" doesn't even begin to describe how minor the quirky indie comedy From Other Worlds turns out to be...
Maitland McDonagh, TV Guide's Movie Guide
The film's underdeveloped characters and thin -- though busy -- story are forced into the foreground, and its 88-minute running time feels far longer.
Kam Williams, EURWeb
Picture a campy cross of My Stepmother Is an Alien (1988) and The Brother from Another Planet (1984) in which you get to enjoy laughs galore, allusions to horror classics, and a timely social message.
Nick Schager, Slant Magazine
Awkwardly mixex comedy, romance, and out-there fantasy.
Mark R. Leeper, rec.arts.movies.reviews
This is all very lightweight and low-budget stuff, but this pleasant comedy sort of grows on the viewer. There is nothing earth-shaking here, but the film is likeable in a gentle way.