I Am Number Four
2011 · Directed by D.J. Caruso
Original language: English
- action
- thriller
- science fiction
The story
A teenage fugitive with an incredible secret races to stay one step ahead of the mysterious forces seeking destroy him. With three dead and one on the run, the race to find the elusive Number Four begins. Outwardly normal teen John Smith never gets too comfortable in the same identity, and along with his guardian, Henri, he is constantly moving from town to town. With each passing day, John gains a stronger grasp on his extraordinary new powers, and his bond to the beings that share his fantastic fate grows stronger.
What it’s like
Bright, glossy suburban daylight gives way to rain-slick night streets, Ohio and Paradise-style small towns rendered in warm amber and cool teal, with a polished, mid-2010s digital finish and plenty of handheld energy during the chases. Sound leans on a pounding rock-and-electronic score that surges through the action beats and softens into lighter guitar and piano for the quieter scenes between a restless teen and the girl who slowly draws him out of his shell. Its vibe is sleek, earnest and a little restless, a comfortable Friday-night watch for a rainy evening or a low-effort weekend with friends. The pace is brisk, with frequent relocations and bursts of set-piece action that keep momentum high, while the emotional register stays sincere and romantic rather than dark, following a guarded outsider learning to trust, belong and claim his own strength. Violence is present and occasionally forceful: fistfights, car crashes, energy-based blasts and a few dangerous pursuits, with some sharp peril but no gore and little lingering cruelty. Mild language and a restrained teen romance round it out. It suits viewers who want a crisp, accessible sci-fi adventure with a heart, especially fans of young-adult fantasy looking for something energetic but not grim.
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