🎯 Quick Overview
Trailer
- Director: Ben Young
- Genre: Sci-Fi, Thriller, Action, Drama
- Release year: 2018
- Runtime (length): 1h 35min
- IMDb rating: 5.8/10 (70k votes)
- Rotten Tomatoes: 29%
😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained
A dad keeps dreaming about alien invasions, turns out he’s a robot, the aliens are humans, and everyone’s just really confused about who to shoot.
🍿 Extinction: Detailed Plot Synopsis
Recurring Nightmares and Premonitions
Peter, a family man, is plagued by vivid nightmares of an alien invasion. His wife, Alice, and his daughters are increasingly concerned about his mental state. He sees a specialist who refers him to a clinic where he meets another man experiencing similar visions. This man encourages Peter to trust his instincts, leading Peter to become increasingly preoccupied with his dreams.

The Invasion Begins
During a party at their apartment, Peter’s nightmares become reality as the city is attacked. Chaos erupts as alien ships rain destruction. Peter and Alice struggle to protect their daughters amidst the devastation. They quickly realize that survival depends on finding shelter and fighting back against the invaders.

Desperate Fight for Survival
The family faces numerous challenges, including navigating a collapsing building and evading relentless alien soldiers. They encounter other survivors, but tragedy strikes when their friends are killed. Determined to reach a supposed safe haven, Peter leads his family through the city’s tunnel system, where they encounter more danger and Alice is critically injured.

The Twist Revealed
Captured by an alien soldier, Peter is shocked to discover the soldier is human. The soldier reveals that the “aliens” are actually humans from Mars, and Peter, Alice, and their children are androids. This revelation shatters Peter’s understanding of his reality and the nature of the conflict. Peter and Alice are revealed to be ‘synths’, androids designed to mimic humans who were created to replace them.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained
🎬 Cast & Characters
- Peter (Michael Peña): A synth plagued by repressed memories of a past war, struggles to protect his family during a human invasion while uncovering his true identity.
- Alice (Lizzy Caplan): Peter’s wife and a fellow synth, supports her husband while hiding the truth about their origins and fighting for survival.
- Hannah (Amelia Crouch): Peter and Alice’s synth daughter, whose safety is paramount as they navigate the human invasion and their own identities.
- Lucy (Erica Tremblay): Peter and Alice’s adopted synth daughter, who is trying to survive with her new family in the alien invasion.
- Miles (Israel Broussard): A human soldier from Mars who starts to question his mission and his beliefs after encountering Peter and his family.
- David (Mike Colter): Leader of the synth resistance, secretly holds knowledge about the war, and is determined to protect his people from the returning humans.
💬 Memorable Quotes
- Peter: “Our world keeps moving. Changing. Evolving. And so do we.” – Peter narrates this at the end, reflecting on the changes he has experienced and the potential for future coexistence.
- Peter: “I know who I am now. And I know my enemy.” – Said at the movie’s conclusion, encapsulating his newfound understanding of his identity and the true nature of the conflict.
- Peter: “Maybe, if others can see that, we’ll have a future after all.” – Reflects his hope for reconciliation between humans and synths, after realizing that they’re not that different.
💰Box Office
- Budget: N/A
- Domestic Gross: N/A
- Worldwide Gross: $1,451,864
💥 Extinction Reviews
Personal Review
I was totally caught off guard by this movie! Seriously, I thought it was just another alien invasion flick, but then BAM! The twist hit me like a ton of bricks. I was so invested in Peter’s struggle, and when I found out the truth, I was floored. The scenes in the tunnels were super intense, and the ending gave me a glimmer of hope. Definitely recommend for a mind-bending watch!
- Who would enjoy:
- “Fans of sci-fi thrillers with a twist”
- “Viewers interested in stories about artificial intelligence and humanity”
- “Those who enjoy movies with themes of family and survival”
- Content warnings ⚠:
- “Violence and action sequences”
- “Some frightening scenes”
- “Themes of war and destruction”
Professional Reviews
- The Sci-Fi Gazette: “Extinction delivers a compelling twist that elevates it beyond typical alien invasion fare. The performances are solid, especially Michael Peña, but the slow pacing in the first half and some questionable CGI detract from the overall experience. Worth a watch for the reveal alone.
- IndieWire: “A surprisingly thought-provoking sci-fi thriller that explores themes of identity and prejudice. While the action sequences are competently executed, the film’s strength lies in its unexpected narrative turns and the nuanced relationship between the characters. It’s not perfect, but it’s definitely engaging.
Audience Reactions
The twist was so unexpected that made the movie brilliant: The plot twist completely changes the game and is what makes this film memorable.
Good story line, and good acting.: Worth the watch, good story, actors were great
Overall Consensus: Extinction offers a fresh take on the alien invasion genre with a surprising twist, though some find the execution uneven. The movie offers good story line and acting.
Awards
🛠️ Behind the Scenes
- “The train scene was filmed in Belgrade, Serbia. The train did not need any ‘make-up’ as the train operates in this condition regularly.”
- “The underground station was made for a metro line that never has been finished.”
- “The movie explores themes of identity, prejudice, and the blurred lines between humanity and artificial intelligence.”
🖥️ How to Watch Extinction?
As a Netflix original film, Extinction is exclusively available for streaming on Netflix. At this time, it is not available for purchase on physical media or through digital retailers like Prime Video or Apple TV.

🎥 Similar Movies
If you enjoyed Extinction, you might like these similar films:
- I, Robot (2004): Explores the relationship between humans and intelligent robots, raising ethical questions about AI.
- Battlestar Galactica (2004-2009): Features a war between humans and Cylons (robots), highlighting themes of survival and identity.
- Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991): Deals with the potential dangers of advanced AI and the fight for humanity’s survival against machines.
- Oblivion (2013): Post-apocalyptic setting where identity and past memories are questioned.
🛒 Extinction Related Products
- Extinction Movie Poster: High-quality print of the official movie poster, perfect for fans to display their love for the film.
- Extinction (Digital Download): Own Extinction in stunning HD quality. Watch it anytime, anywhere, and experience the twist again and again.
- Android Invasion – The Extinction Game: A post-apocalyptic VR game where you fight to survive as either a human or an advanced AI in a world torn apart by war. Make strategic decisions, gather resources, and battle your way to supremacy. Exclusive content that expands the world of the movie.
- Extinction: The Art of Survival T-Shirt: Show your allegiance with this stylish tee featuring a unique design inspired by the movie’s themes of survival and identity.
🎧 Soundtrack
Extinction features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:
You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.
🤨 FAQ
The major twist in Extinction is that the “alien” invaders are actually humans returning from Mars, and the protagonists, including Peter and his family, are androids or “synths.”
Extinction was primarily filmed in Serbia, with Belgrade serving as a key filming location. The train scene was filmed in a Belgrade train station.
The ending of Extinction suggests a possibility of peace and coexistence between humans and androids. Peter’s realization that the human soldier Miles could see them as equals offers hope for a future where both races can overcome their past conflicts.
🔥 Bonus Content
EXTINCTION (2018) Ending + Twist Explained
Okay, so that ending was WILD, right? This video breaks down the entire plot and explains that major twist. If you’re still scratching your head, you NEED to watch this!
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