Area 51 Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A group of friends throw a party and then decide to visit the government, and the government offers an all-expenses paid trip to another planet… permanently.

🍿 Area 51: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Obsession Begins

The film opens with interviews discussing the disappearance of Reid, Darrin, and Ben, three friends obsessed with conspiracy theories. Reid’s sister and colleagues note his increasing obsession with UFOs and Area 51 leading up to their disappearance. This escalating interest results in him losing his job and becoming isolated from his family, setting the stage for their ill-fated adventure.

Planning the Infiltration

The friends travel to Las Vegas and meet Jelena, the daughter of a former Area 51 employee, who provides them with crucial information. They learn that the true Area 51 base is deep underground and that her father was investigating a section called ‘S4.’ The group then tracks down an elderly man with high security clearance, breaking into his house to steal his ID badge and obtain his fingerprints, showcasing their commitment to their mission.

Breaching Area 51

Equipped with specialized gear, the group travels to Rachel, Nevada, interviewing locals and gathering intelligence about the base’s security. Under the cover of night, Reid, Darrin, and Jelena infiltrate the base, bypassing motion sensors and evading patrols. They successfully use the stolen ID and fingerprint to gain access to the underground complexes, navigating through corridors, offices, and staircases.

Discoveries Within the Base

Deeper within the base, the group discovers strange laboratories with anti-gravity devices and containers of white blood that reacts to touch. They also stumble upon a hangar containing a saucer-shaped craft. Reid enters the craft and vanishes briefly, experiencing a unique phenomenon that Jelena cannot replicate. This series of events heightens the sense of mystery and danger.

S4 and the Alien Encounter

Reaching the S4 section, they encounter a compound with grey alien beings, which Reid discovers are actually rubber suits. Further exploration leads them to a cave system containing unsettling artifacts such as piles of clothes and toys, suggesting a sinister history. An alien emerges from a pod, forcing them to flee, highlighting the true nature of the secrets hidden within Area 51.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Reid (Reid Warner): Reid is the conspiracy theorist obsessed with Area 51 who leads his friends on a dangerous mission to uncover its secrets.
• Darrin (Darrin Bragg): Darrin is Reid’s friend who accompanies him to Area 51, providing technical expertise during their infiltration.
• Ben (Ben Rovner): Ben is the cautious friend who initially hesitates but ultimately supports Reid and Darrin’s risky endeavor.
• Jelena (Jelena Nik): Jelena is a conspiracy theorist and daughter of a former Area 51 employee, providing crucial information and joining the group’s infiltration.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Town local interviewee: “Area 51, man. It’s the 51st state.” – Spoken by a local in Rachel, Nevada, reflecting the lore and mystery surrounding Area 51.
• Reid: “Something is pulling him towards the base.” – Reid tries to explain to Ben why he is so obsessed with breaking into Area 51.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $5,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $7,556
• Worldwide Gross: $7,556

💥 Area 51 Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so I went into this movie really hoping for some serious alien creepiness! The whole Area 51 thing is just so intriguing, right? The first half felt like it took forever, watching these guys plan their big break-in. But once they got inside, there were a few moments where I was actually holding my breath. I think the ending was kind of a letdown, though. It just felt rushed, like they didn’t know how to wrap things up. Still, if you’re into found footage and have some time to kill, it’s not the worst way to spend an evening!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of found-footage films”
  • “Viewers interested in UFO and Area 51 conspiracy theories”
  • “Those who enjoy sci-fi thrillers with suspenseful atmospheres”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Strong language”
  • “Some intense and potentially disturbing scenes”
  • “Brief violence and peril”

Professional Reviews

• Variety: “Oren Peli’s return to directing is a mixed bag, with suspenseful setup ultimately undone by shaky cam and underdeveloped characters. The film offers glimpses of potential, but fails to deliver a cohesive or satisfying conclusion.
• The Hollywood Reporter: “Area 51 attempts to capture the intrigue of its namesake, but suffers from pacing issues and a lack of compelling scares. While the found-footage style offers some realism, the film ultimately feels derivative and uninspired.
• IGN: “A slow burn that fizzles out, Area 51 teases with its premise but fails to capitalize on the mystery and paranoia surrounding the infamous location. The payoff is weak, and the shaky-cam becomes more of a distraction than an asset.

Audience Reactions

The initial setup and planning of the break-in were somewhat interesting, despite the slow pace.: Some viewers appreciated the movie’s attempt to build suspense, but many found the payoff disappointing.

The movie provided some scares, but not enough.: The found footage style felt uninspired.

Overall Consensus: Area 51 is a generally disappointing found-footage film that fails to live up to the intrigue of its namesake, suffering from a slow pace, weak scares, and an uninspired storyline.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The movie had been completed and shelved since 2009, finally released in 2015.”
• “Oren Peli, known for ‘Paranormal Activity,’ wrote and directed the film, aiming to bring a found-footage perspective to the Area 51 mythos.”

🖥️ How to Watch Area 51?

Area 51 (2015) is currently available for rent or purchase on various digital platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for cable on-demand options. As a direct-to-video release, physical copies on DVD and Blu-ray may also be available through online retailers like Amazon and eBay.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Area 51, you might like these similar films:

• Paranormal Activity (2007): Directed by Oren Peli, shares the found-footage style and suspenseful build-up.
• The Blair Witch Project (1999): Pioneering found-footage horror that paved the way for films like Area 51.
• Alien Abduction (2014): Found footage film focused on an alien abduction, mirroring the alien encounter aspect.
• Phoenix Forgotten (2017): Explores a similar theme of found footage documenting a group investigating UFO phenomena.

🛒 Area 51 Related Products

• Area 51: An Uncensored History of America’s Top Secret Military Base: An amazing book about the history of Area 51, written by Annie Jacobsen and a New York Times Bestseller! This book gives a different view of the top secret military base, by talking to scientists, pilots, and engineers. They share what really happened on and around the base, as they were on the frontline of the Cold War.
• Area 51 T-Shirt: High-quality t-shirt featuring a classic “Area 51: They Can’t Stop All of Us” design. Comfortable and durable material.
• Area 51: Official Conspiracy Theorist Kit: This kit includes a detailed map of the Groom Lake area, night vision goggles, and a UV flashlight.
• Area 51 Movie Poster: A high-quality reprint of the original Area 51 movie poster. Perfect for decorating any fan’s room.

🎧 Soundtrack

Area 51 features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Reid’s Rap” – performed by Reid Warner

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

In “Area 51”, Body Parts Replaced With Alien Tech

Ever wondered what *really* happened in Area 51? This video breaks down the plot of the movie with all the alien tech craziness. It’s a wild ride, and honestly, makes you wonder if there’s any truth to it!

✨ Rate