Meanwhile on Earth

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1:48

Meanwhile on Earth

R

2024

1h 29m

Sci-Fi

Mystery & Thriller

Drama

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

82%

Tomatometer

45 Reviews

Popcornmeter

Fewer than 50 Ratings

Elsa (Megan Northam, in her debut feature starring role), along with her family, is struggling following the disappearance of her brother Franck, an astronaut who vanished during his first mission. While stargazing one night, Elsa is shocked to receive contact from Franck, but her joy is short-lived when she learns of the dark and troubling forces behind Franck's reappearance, forcing her to confront the lengths she will go for the brother she once feared was gone forever.

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Critics Consensus

An atmospheric parable that looks to the stars to find insight into grief, Meanwhile on Earth is a psychologically rich slice of sci-fi.

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Carlos Aguilar

Variety

Mar 11, 2025

There’s great pleasure in seeing that Clapin’s first alluring foray into live-action filmmaking doesn’t entirely renounce hand-drawn storytelling.

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Alonso Duralde

Breakfast All Day

Nov 13, 2024

7.8

A really strong live-action debut from Clapin.

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Christy Lemire

FilmWeek (LAist)

Nov 13, 2024

You never know where this is going, and they achieve a great deal with just camera angles, the score, and the pacing of it.

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Jennie Kermode

Eye for Film

Aug 27, 2025

3.5/5

There’s a sweet, melancholy flavour to Clapin’s work.

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Will Bjarnar

Geek Vibes Nation

Jul 19, 2025

6/10

The issues are less with its ideas, many of which are familiar and well-intended, than with Clapin’s execution, particularly as the presence of the extraterrestrial force becomes more invasive and unbearable for Elsa and those in her orbit.

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Ard Vijn

ScreenAnarchy

Nov 17, 2024

7/10

The film looks good, Megan Northam is great, the few special effects are fine and Jérémy Clapin, an experienced animator, spices up the narrative with some animations. It's therefore hard to pinpoint why I don't like the film more.

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Avindu G

@RT86379654 Jun 10, 2026

A sister's lone perilous journey to redeem her brother is presented in an ideal and unique theme. The process of grieving is pictured masterfully starting from the graffiti to discarding her personal and professional relationships as sacrifices. But we see our heroine pull through to let go of her desperation and redeem herself from being hopelessly dependent. A powerful performance by Megan Northam in portraying Elsa's concealed trauma and erratic mood shifts. The animations add the essential nostalgic flavor to the story. And the haunting bread crumbs, such as the sticky seed which is metaphorical of the voices we sanely mute and the dog's magic act in the closing scene would mystify the audience further.

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A.L.Jude P

@judebd Nov 21, 2024

So-So wanna be in a Sci-Fi or Space and heading nowhere. Awful experience we have to face when watching such time wasting nonsenses.

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Andy K

@andykiddvideo Nov 14, 2024

Well made film with a slightly enigmatic ending. Terrific lead performance from Megan Northam

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William

Nov 13, 2024

Poetic Sci fi lead actress killed it Beautiful nite experience

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Levi G

@RT48421330 Nov 13, 2024

Blew me away. Killer score and loved the animations

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Catherine C

@RT76415673 Nov 13, 2024

One of the most unique sci-fi movies of our time! Totally mesmerizing

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Jérémy Clapin

Director

Megan Northam

Elsa

Sofia Lesaffre

Audrey

Catherine Salée

Annick

Sam Louwyck

Daniel

Roman Williams

Vincent

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Synopsis

Elsa (Megan Northam, in her debut feature starring role), along with her family, is struggling following the disappearance of her brother Franck, an astronaut who vanished during his first mission. While stargazing one night, Elsa is shocked to receive contact from Franck, but her joy is short-lived when she learns of the dark and troubling forces behind Franck's reappearance, forcing her to confront the lengths she will go for the brother she once feared was gone forever.

Director: Jérémy Clapin
Producer: Marc du Pontavice
Screenwriter: Jérémy Clapin
Distributor: Metrograph Pictures
Production Co: Carcadice, Auvergne Rhône-Alpes Cinéma, France 3 Cinéma, One World Films, Umedia, Xilam
Rating: R (Some Violent Content|Language)
Genre: Sci-Fi, Mystery & Thriller, Drama
Original Language: French
Release Date (Theaters): Nov 8, 2024, Limited
Runtime: 1h 29m

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