The Man Who Fell to Earth | Rotten Tomatoes (2025)

Audience Reviews

Audience Member It's the late David Bowie's first feature film. Based on Walter Tevis' 1963 novel of the same name directed by Nicolas Roeg. Thomas Newton arrives on earth via space shuttle looking for viable sources of water. He uses his knowledge of advanced technology to make new innovative inventions for mankind. But the rest of world is hardly welcoming. The US government is concerned with his presence threatening national security. But he has help from lawyer Oliver Farnsworth to guide him and help him leave the planet once he has what he came for. Making a big corporate empire to amass millions of dollars is what he needs to succeed in his mission. Thomas also meets a girl Mary-Lou, a hotel clerk. A lot of earths atmospherics don't bode well with Thomas though, he has trouble riding in fast cars and moving elevators. Will he choose to stay or go back home? David Bowie does give off that alien-persona since he does have a certain androgynous look about him. Essentially he is playing himself to a degree. The movie acts as a melancholy work of sci-fi expressionism. It mostly echoes some of the most formative tales in Judeo-Christian mythology: Lucifer's fall from heaven, Adam and Eve's expulsion from the Garden of Eden, the betrayal and persecution of Jesus Christ. In fact, Roeg actually roots the plot even deeper in Western culture, invoking Greek mythology with a shot of the Renaissance painting Landscape With the Fall of Icarus-another man who fell to earth. These are stories of negative transformation, from a holy being into one that is doomed; their tragedy comes in tracing how the protagonist's hubris, divinity, or both give way to human frailty. The visuals are trippy, plenty of skin, and of course David Bowie more than carries the picture with his certain mannerisms and physicality. He's a foreigner on a strange new world struggling to adapt and survive. The movie just runs too long and the ending is kinda depressing to say the least. If you're willing to look past all that then the movie is a great debut showcase for the late artist. The 1970s cultures and values are spotlighted here big time. Rated 4/5 Stars • Rated 4 out of 5 stars 03/19/24 Full Review Montgomery M Really just kind of boring. And when it wasn't boring it was just really horny. Bowie was great in it though Rated 2/5 Stars • Rated 2 out of 5 stars 09/15/23 Full Review Kelly K My favorite movie of all time… Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/31/23 Full Review Shioka O Odd and slow. This is for watching David Bowie in his prime. Maybe good while you're stoned, but I'm a sober type, so it was just quirk. Another cult film. Rated 1.5/5 Stars • Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars 12/07/22 Full Review Jru K 1. David Bowie2. those eyes3. "we would have probably done the same thing to you" 4. even though I think I know what's happening, the feeling of time is off Rated 3/5 Stars • Rated 3 out of 5 stars 12/03/22 Full Review Sid L Great scifi story about the human condition and all the beautiful mess that comes with it. Rated 5/5 Stars • Rated 5 out of 5 stars 11/13/22 Full Review Read all reviews

The Man Who Fell to Earth

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