Story
The planet Lorien has been destroyed by a vicious race of murdering aliens called Mogadorians. The last survivors are nine young Loriens with superpowers and their guardians, who are all now on earth. As the last Loriens grow up, Mogadorians are systematically finding and killing them. Numbers One, Two and Three are dead, and Number Four is next.
Number Four is a teenager known as John Smith (Alex Pettyfer). To escape the Mogadorians, he and his guardian Henri (Timothy Olyphant) make their way to the quiet town of Paradise in Ohio. Here John enrols in the local high school. John strikes up a friendship with Sam (Callan McAuliffe), the school’s science brain. Also, John is attracted to Sarah (Dianna Agron), but makes an enemy of Mark (Jake Abel), Sarah’s ex-boyfriend and the local sheriff’s son.
Just as John feels settled in his new life, the Mogadorians show up and kidnap Henri. The fight with the Mogadorians now begins in earnest, with John and his friends being helped by Number Six (Teresa Palmer).
Themes
Aliens; bullying; destiny
Violence
I am Number Four contains intense action violence and some school bullying. For example:
Sexual references
This movie contains some sexual references. For example:
- Sarah’s parents talk about how sneaking out of their parents’ house when they were young led to Sarah’s conception.
- Sarah makes a suggestive joke in relation to Number Four’s superpowers. She says, ‘You’re good with your hands’.
- Henri tells John that Loriens don’t love like humans. He says that when John falls in love, it will be with a single woman for life.
Alcohol, drugs and other substances
This movie contains some use of substances. For example, teenagers appear to be drinking alcohol at parties, but there is no drunkenness.
Nudity and sexual activity
This movie contains some partial nudity and sexual activity. For example:
- Teenage girls and boys wear tight, skimpy swimwear.
- John and a girl flirt while swimming at a beach party.
- John and Sarah embrace and kiss passionately a few times.
Product placement
The following products are displayed or used in this movie: Apple laptop computers, Apple iPhones, Nikon and Canon cameras, and some branded cars.
Coarse language
This movie contains occasional coarse language, together with some put-downs and name-calling.
Ideas to discuss with your children
I am Number Four is a science fiction fantasy movie, targeting adolescent children and young adults. Parents of young children should be strongly cautioned that the movie contains intense action and frightening scenes likely to disturb younger children.
One of the main messages from the movie is that you can’t avoid your destiny. The movie also suggests that it’s not the place that you live that’s important, but the people who live there and the bonds you form with them.
This movie could give you the chance to talk with your children about real-life issues such as bullying. You could talk about how your children could deal with bullying in real life.