In the past five years, director Jeff Nicholas has been winning us over with his compelling narratives and distinct storytelling style. From the Michael Shannon-driven psychological family drama Take Shelter to the coming-of-age adventure-drama Mud, he’s proven to be one of the most thrilling voices in modern cinema. And now, Nichols is back with his latest film, Midnight Special, which opens in theaters on March 18. Starring Shannon again, alongside Kirsten Dunst, Joel Edgerton, Adam Driver, and Sam Shepard, the film tells the story of a father “desperate to protect his uniquely gifted, eight-year-old son.” A science fiction drama told with Nichols’s humanist touch, the official synopsis reads:

Roy (Michael Shannon) is a father desperate to protect his uniquely gifted, eight-year-old son in this genre-defying thriller which proves once again that director Jeff Nichols is one of the most compelling storytellers of our time. As father and son go on the run, an intense chase ensues as they are hunted down by a mysterious cult and a clandestine government agency – the outcome of which could bring about a world-changing event.

Today, you can watch the exciting first trailer for the film. Enjoy below.