Contact | Rotten Tomatoes

Contact

PG

Released Jul 11, 1997

2h 30m

Sci-Fi

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Contact: Trailer 1

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68%

Tomatometer

68 Reviews

78%

Audience Score

100,000+ Ratings

In this Zemeckis-directed adaptation of the Carl Sagan novel, Dr. Ellie Arroway (Jodie Foster) races to interpret a possible message originating from the Vega star system. Once first contact with an extraterrestrial intelligence is proven, Arroway contends with restrictive National Security Advisor Kitz (James Woods) and religious fanatics bent on containing the implications of such an event. An incredible message is found hidden in the signal, but will Arroway be the one to answer its call?

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Critics Consensus

Contact elucidates stirring scientific concepts and theological inquiry at the expense of satisfying storytelling, making for a brainy blockbuster that engages with its ideas, if not its characters.

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Andrea Thompson

Inverse

Sagan's spirit certainly comes through in the film, which makes a point of valuing scientific exploration for its own sake rather than a means to an end.

Nov 1, 2021

Full Review

Duane Byrge

Hollywood Reporter

Despite its lineage and some impressive special effects, Contact is a disappointingly earthbound production, weighed down by the ballast of talking-heads dramaturgy and bloated storytelling.

Jul 18, 2018

Full Review

David Ansen

Newsweek

If Contact is disappointingly soft in the head, it can also enthrall. Zemeckis is such a potent imagemaker that he is capable, for long stretches at a time, of sweeping you up in his vision.

Feb 28, 2018

Full Review

Brian Eggert

Deep Focus Review

The ruminative approach and final resolution that there are no certainties in the universe, however honest, left audiences unsatisfied. But the film remains a daring work, among the most cerebral and emotional motion pictures on this subject ever released

Rated: 4/4

Jun 7, 2023

Full Review

James Croot

Stuff.co.nz

If you’ve ever gazed at the sky in wonder and wondered “what if”, are a fan of the magnificent Foster (and who isn’t), or simply like first-rate storytelling, then seek Contact out.

Rated: 4/5

Jul 14, 2022

Full Review

Chris Plante

Polygon

The core message feels a little thinner... but the story is no less propulsive, particularly the final 40 minutes which play like an acid trip at the planetarium.

Sep 29, 2020

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Douglas D

Brilliant and moving and profound.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/27/24

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Gary L

Excellent movie. Wonderful acting. Clever script. Well directed. A classic, and for good reasons.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

05/23/24

Full Review

Scott M

Well made movie about life on other planets where you don't actually see them. Jodie Foster is brilliant as usual. The God vs Science part was over the top and kind of ruins it for me. But I did enjoy it most of the time.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

05/04/24

Full Review

Jan F

Honestly the start of the movie is not bad and it is very intriguing until the moment she actually 'goes' to space. The ending is very disappointing which pretty much ruins the whole excitement you had before and makes you regret watching it.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

02/25/24

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Olson K

Watched on 02/11/2024

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/11/24

Full Review

Jesus B

Highest marks for Jodie in this extraordinary film. Intelligent, heartfelt and a definite thought provoking examination of life in the universe and beyond and the quiet question posited by it about our role in it.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

01/19/24

Full Review

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Robert Zemeckis

Director

Jodie Foster

Eleanor Ann 'Ellie' Arroway

Matthew McConaughey

Palmer Joss

James Woods

Michael Kitz

John Hurt

S.R. Hadden

Tom Skerritt

David Drumlin

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Contact: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

In this Zemeckis-directed adaptation of the Carl Sagan novel, Dr. Ellie Arroway (Jodie Foster) races to interpret a possible message originating from the Vega star system. Once first contact with an extraterrestrial intelligence is proven, Arroway contends with restrictive National Security Advisor Kitz (James Woods) and religious fanatics bent on containing the implications of such an event. An incredible message is found hidden in the signal, but will Arroway be the one to answer its call?

Director: Robert Zemeckis
Producer: Steve Starkey, Robert Zemeckis
Screenwriter: Carl Sagan, James V. Hart, Michael Goldenberg
Distributor: Warner Home Vídeo
Production Co: Warner Brothers
Rating: PG
Genre: Sci-Fi
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jul 11, 1997, Original
Release Date (Streaming): May 1, 2008
Box Office (Gross USA): $100.9M
Runtime: 2h 30m
Sound Mix: SDDS, DTS, Surround, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: 35mm, Scope (2.35:1)

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