This G-Rated Sci-Fi Gem is Creepier Than Any Horror You Ever Saw
A 1986 sci-fi movie that got everyone scared without intending to.
Sometimes horror movies don't succeed in their primary goal — to scare the viewers, while some films catch us off guard and manage to terrify in the most unexpected ways, while not actually being horror movies.
In a Reddit discussion, science fiction fans brought up a 1986 movie that was initially G-rated but resulted to be rather creepy for kids.
Flight of the Navigator is a science fiction movie directed by Randal Kleiser and released in 1986.
It tells the story of a 12-year-old boy named David Freeman who, after falling into a ravine, wakes up eight years later to discover that he hasn't aged a day, while the world has moved on.
The film is remembered for its blend of adventure and science fiction elements, but some viewers found certain aspects of the movie creepy.
As the film involves David being unknowingly abducted by an alien spacecraft called Max, which takes him on a journey through space and time.
The idea of a child being taken against their will and subjected to unknown experiments is unsettling on its own, and especially to children.
Furthermore, David's return to the world that has moved on without him highlights the sense of isolation and disconnection he experiences.
This concept of losing one's place in society and struggling to find a sense of belonging can evoke feelings of unease.
Another quite frightening aspect is Max, the alien spacecraft, which takes the form of a sentient robotic creature that speaks with a synthesized voice.
No wonder some viewers may find the design and behavior of Max really eerie. Other users agreed that the initial scenes of the film are exceptionally frightening for children.
Particularly, the idea of returning home and discovering one's family missing while strangers occupy the house creates a relentless stream of unsettling imagery that can haunt children's dreams after watching the film.
Flight of the Navigator demonstrates that a film can create a spooky ambiance without relying on graphic violence or screamers.
Maybe the film wasn't supposed to be intentionally spooky, however, it surely did scare many young viewers.
Source: Reddit