A boy's imaginary friend is real—and she's from outer space. 80s BBC sci-fi that'll melt your cynical heart.
Matthew Gore is an intelligent boy chosen by a mysterious extraterrestrial visitor to be a source of information about life on Earth. As his schoolwork and artistic talent improve dramatically he arouses the suspicion of powerful groups who wish to tap into the amazing fund of knowledge to which he is now party.
Acting
Andrew Ellams as Matthew—unnervingly calm, never cute-kid obnoxious.
Direction
Hughes and Hodson make ordinary kitchens feel quietly cosmic.
Writing
Wyndham's adaptation respects kids' intelligence—a rare 80s treat.
Director
Vic Hughes
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
This was John Wyndham's final published work, adapted just two years before his death—he never saw it screen.
1984 saw both this gentle BBC alien story and Villeneuve's upcoming Dune remake ancestor—the contrast in British vs American sci-fi approaches is stark.
GB
