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October Sky

October Sky

Drama · History · Family · 1999

The true story of Homer Hickam, a coal miner's son who was inspired by the first Sputnik launch to take up rocketry against his father's wishes.

Movie details

October Sky

“Sometimes one dream is enough to light up the whole sky.”

1999 Drama · History · Family 1h 47m

Critical arithmetic

One number, for now.

TMDB

7.7 / 10

Community rating

The true story of Homer Hickam, a coal miner's son who was inspired by the first Sputnik launch to take up rocketry against his father's wishes.

CriticWise case file

What this film says about your taste.

Not a recommendation score. A measure of how closely the film’s taste signals resemble yours.

The archetype split

Who fights over October Sky?

The split comes from the same five-axis model used by the test, not audience ratings or review sentiment.

Taste neighbourhood

Nearby on the taste map.

TMDB supplies the candidates. CriticWise reorders them by craft, strangeness, prestige, emotion, and pace.

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Names above the title

The people responsible.

Directed by

Joe Johnston

Written by

Lewis Colick

Jake Gyllenhaal

Jake Gyllenhaal

Homer Hickam

Chris Cooper

Chris Cooper

John Hickam

Chris Owen

Chris Owen

Quentin Wilson

Laura Dern

Laura Dern

Miss Riley

William Lee Scott

William Lee Scott

Roy Lee

Chad Lindberg

Chad Lindberg

O'Dell

Natalie Canerday

Natalie Canerday

Elsie Hickam

Court is in session

Put October Sky on trial.

Two incompatible taste archetypes. One film. Read the arguments, then issue a completely binding cultural ruling.

The defence The Prestige Tourist

“Ambition earns the room.”

The film reaches for consequence and scale, accepting the risk of seriousness instead of shrinking from it.

The prosecution The Popcorn Loyalist

“Importance has entered the chat.”

The production keeps announcing its significance, as though awards-season posture were proof of insight.