Signs

Widowed ex-clergyman Mel Gibson has lost his faith in God, then believes he’s in the midst of an alien invasion

Widowed ex-clergyman Mel Gibson has lost his faith in God, then believes he’s in the midst of an alien invasion.

Strange lights in the sky, something creeping through the cornfields, a rash of bizarre crop circles – these are all signs of out-of-this-world activity to Gibson.

Suddenly, his cynicism has to take second place to protecting his children (Rory Culkin and Abigail Breslin) with help from his brother (Joaquin Phoenix).

So they board up their house, don tin foil hats and wait, until the reality of what they're up against comes knocking at the door…

Writer-director M Night Shyamalan's movie makes every word, gesture and unnerving moment count, and also has a great line in humour, though it fizzles out badly towards the end.