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Gray Matter

Gray Matter

Earth's time is running out

201885 minNot RatedMidcredits score: 2nd percentile of all films
Director
Greg A. Sager
Starring
Alys Crocker, Sean Patrick Dolan, Brenna Llewellyn, Brent Bondy

Since the 1940's alien beings known as "GRAYS" have been sighted around the globe with the thought that they visit our planet to study our species and civilization before they eventually invade...but what if we're wrong? What if they are only here to protect us? After a meteorite crashes to earth awakening the extraterrestrial creature within, a young woman is abducted by an alien "GRAY" to aide in hunting down and destroying the creature before it can reach a second meteorite that fell to earth decades earlier unleashing its deadly infestation of earth.

Where to watch

Where can I watch Gray Matter?

As of October 24, 2026, MovieCove lists Gray Matter to rent or buy on Apple TV, and on no subscription service.

Your rating, lists and review

Highlights

What stands out about Gray Matter?

Gray Matter earns 1 badge: Award Nominee.

Reception

Is Gray Matter worth watching?

Gray Matter's Midcredits score is the 2nd percentile of all films, from 486 ratings across 3 sources. 11% liked it (rated it 7 or higher out of 10).

Midcredits score

How well it was received

2nd percentile

Better received than 2% of films

17th percentile among Sci-Fi3rd percentile among 2010s
Acclaim (how much people like it)6th
Approval (how many liked it)1st

42 /100

6th percentile of all films

33rd percentile among Sci-Fi8th percentile among 2010s

Rating distribution

The crowd leans negative, with most ratings sitting in the bottom half of the scale.

11% liked it

1st percentile of all films

8th percentile among Sci-Fi1st percentile among 2010s
11% rated it 7–1089% rated it 1–6

Awards

0 Oscars won · 0 Oscar noms · 0 wins / 2 noms overall

Reach

How many have seen it

53rd percentile

486 ratings across platforms

70th percentile among Sci-Fi56th percentile among 2010s
TMDB popularity, last 37 days to Oct 26Down 11% in 30 days

Box office

Opening weekend$14K
Domestic gross$38K
Worldwide gross$38K

42nd percentile earner in its genre.

What reviewers say

Common ground

The film has weak special effects and a derivative, cheesy plot.

Fans praised

  • clever plot that avoids dialogue
  • entertaining fight scenes
  • solid lead performance by Alys Crocker

Detractors panned

  • awful special effects and animation
  • no dialogue and pointless scenes
  • bad acting and tired tropes

What stands out

Plot and storyDivisive55

promising concept but messy execution

ActingDivisive30

lead praised by fans, others dubbed horrible

OriginalityDivisive30

tired alien tropes, derivative

PacingDivisive30

irrelevant scenes and boredom

DialogueDivisive25

virtually no dialogue, fans call it clever

Effects and spectacleDivisive20

hideous CGI, cartoonish alien

Watch experience

What is Gray Matter like to watch?

Conclusions only — categories and positions, no plot detail.

Feel-good: browse every movie of this kind

Watch this when you want something that leaves you smiling.

It leaves you entertained.

ToneFeelDemandwhat the answer rests onexact position · filled zone: the category

What it asks of you

Very little.

What it feels like

Feel-good.

Moods
TenseThrilling
Heaviest: middle
Wry humor: Amused and slightly dry about it.
Register
Adventurous · 11% of filmsMelodramatic · 9% of films: Heightened emotion, played large.
Told as
Three-act: Setup, confrontation, resolution — the default Hollywood shape.
ToneThe film plays its alien-invasion premise straight despite low-budget execution and cheesiness noted in reviews.
The rideThe synopsis suggests tension during the hunt and battle, with the heaviest action likely in the middle as the creature is pursued.
StructureThe synopsis suggests a linear narrative from the meteorite crash to the hunt for the creature.

How it leaves you

what you carry away

Entertained.

The answer rests on this: FunFeel-good
Why it leaves you this wayA lightweight alien adventure that may leave audiences amused rather than moved.
How it ends · evidence
Bittersweet ending

Story archetype

where it sits among all films
Monster — 21% of films. A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated.Rags — 3% of films. A rise from lowliness to fortune, status, or recognition.Quest — 10% of films. A journey toward a defined objective, with companions and obstacles.Voyage — 4% of films. Into a strange world and back again, changed.Comedy — 11% of films. Confusion and cross-purposes resolved into harmony.Tragedy — 9% of films. A flaw or fixation drives the protagonist to ruin.Rebirth — 13% of films. A stalled or darkened life reopened and renewed.Mystery — 7% of films. A question drives the story — who did it, what happened, what is real — until it is answered.No archetype — 22% of filmsPredator — 6% of films. A creature or killer hunts the protagonists (Jaws, Alien).Tyrant — 6% of films. A human villain holds power over the hero's world (Die Hard).Invasion — 2% of films. An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).Oppressive state — 2% of films. A government, its agencies or a secret faction inside them is the monster (V for Vendetta).Corporate villainy — 1% of films. A company or its bosses are the monster (Erin Brockovich).Institutional injustice — 1% of films. A court, prison, police force, school or church is itself the enemy (Spotlight).Class system — under 1% of films. The gap between rich and poor, or a rigid hierarchy, is the monster (Parasite).Technology turns — under 1% of films. Technology people rely on becomes the threat (The Terminator).Inner demon — 1% of films. The monster is within — addiction, illness, a dark double.Underdog triumph — 2% of films. Rise through competition or contest (Rocky).Social ascent — under 1% of films. A climb in class or status (Pretty Woman).Fame and fortune — under 1% of films. An artistic or showbiz rise (A Star Is Born).Rise and fall — under 1% of films. Wealth or power gained, self lost (Scarface).Hidden worth revealed — under 1% of films. The protagonist's true value finally recognized.Treasure hunt — 1% of films. Retrieve an object of value (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Rescue — 4% of films. Retrieve or save a person (Saving Private Ryan).Mission — 5% of films. Accomplish or destroy a defined objective (Mission: Impossible).Journey home — under 1% of films. The goal is getting back (Finding Nemo).Pilgrimage — 1% of films. The journey itself transforms; the destination is symbolic.Portal fantasy — under 1% of films. Transported into another world (The Wizard of Oz).Fish out of water — 2% of films. Displaced into an unfamiliar social world (Elf).Survival ordeal — 1% of films. Trapped in a hostile environment, fighting back (Cast Away).Time displacement — under 1% of films. Unstuck in time (Back to the Future).Descent — 1% of films. A night-journey into an underworld or subculture (After Hours).Romantic comedy — 4% of films. Lovers kept apart by confusion, united at last.Comedy of errors — 3% of films. Mistaken identity or misunderstanding drives the plot.Farce — 2% of films. Escalating absurd chaos and coincidence (The Hangover).Buddy comedy — 1% of films. A mismatched pair forced together (Rush Hour).Comedy of manners — 1% of films. Social codes and class satirized (Clueless).Hubris — 1% of films. Pride or ambition invites the fall (There Will Be Blood).Obsession — 2% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Corruption arc — 2% of films. Step-by-step moral decay (The Godfather).Doomed love — 2% of films. Love destroyed by circumstance (Brokeback Mountain).Crushed by fate — 3% of films. Destroyed by forces beyond the protagonist's control.Redemption — 3% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Healing — 5% of films. Recovery from grief or trauma (Good Will Hunting).Liberation — 2% of films. Breaking free of a confining life (Room).Second chance — 2% of films. A stagnant life re-opened to love or purpose (Groundhog Day).Puzzle — 1% of films. A clue-by-clue puzzle you can try to solve before the reveal (Knives Out, Clue).Investigation — 5% of films. A long pursuit of the truth that may never be fully solved (Zodiac, Memories of Murder).Enigma — 2% of films. The mystery is what is real, or what is actually happening (Mulholland Drive).MonsterInvasion
Every story archetype, clockwise from the top
  • Monster 21% (this title): Predator 6% · Tyrant 6% · Invasion 2% (this title) · Oppressive state 2% · Corporate villainy 1% · Institutional injustice 1% · Class system under 1% · Technology turns under 1% · Inner demon 1%
  • Rags 3%: Underdog triumph 2% · Social ascent under 1% · Fame and fortune under 1% · Rise and fall under 1% · Hidden worth revealed under 1%
  • Quest 10%: Treasure hunt 1% · Rescue 4% · Mission 5% · Journey home under 1% · Pilgrimage 1%
  • Voyage 4%: Portal fantasy under 1% · Fish out of water 2% · Survival ordeal 1% · Time displacement under 1% · Descent 1%
  • Comedy 11%: Romantic comedy 4% · Comedy of errors 3% · Farce 2% · Buddy comedy 1% · Comedy of manners 1%
  • Tragedy 9%: Hubris 1% · Obsession 2% · Corruption arc 2% · Doomed love 2% · Crushed by fate 3%
  • Rebirth 13%: Redemption 3% · Healing 5% · Liberation 2% · Second chance 2%
  • Mystery 7%: Puzzle 1% · Investigation 5% · Enigma 2%
  • No archetype 22%

Overcoming the monster: A threat menaces the hero's world and must be defeated. · Invasion: An external force attacks the home or world (Independence Day).

21% of films fit this archetype

A loose fit — the map only half-holds this one.

Why this archetypeThe story centers on hunting and destroying an alien creature that threatens Earth, fitting the overcoming_the_monster archetype with an invasion subtype.

What it's about

7 groups · 53 themes
Bonds — 27% of filmsSelf — 22% of filmsPower — 7% of filmsMorality — 16% of filmsSurvival — 15% of filmsSociety — 9% of filmsIdeas — 5% of filmsRomantic love — 15% of filmsMarriage — 2% of filmsFamily bonds — 21% of filmsParenthood — 2% of filmsFriendship — 9% of filmsLoyalty — 4% of filmsIdentity — 14% of filmsComing of age — 5% of filmsAging — under 1% of filmsSelf-worth — 7% of filmsAmbition — 7% of filmsPurpose — 9% of filmsMemory — 3% of filmsObsession — 3% of films. A fixation consumes the protagonist (Black Swan).Power — 2% of filmsCorruption — 3% of filmsGreed — 3% of filmsClass — 3% of filmsOppression — 4% of filmsFreedom — 5% of filmsJustice — 13% of filmsDuty — 2% of filmsRevenge — 4% of filmsGuilt — 3% of filmsRedemption — 6% of films. Moral reawakening of a hardened soul (A Christmas Carol).Forgiveness — 1% of filmsSacrifice — 4% of filmsBetrayal — 5% of filmsDeception — 9% of filmsSurvival — 17% of filmsWar — 1% of filmsViolence — 4% of filmsMortality — 2% of filmsGrief — 6% of filmsTrauma — 7% of filmsMental illness — 1% of filmsAddiction — 1% of filmsIllness and disability — under 1% of filmsCommunity — 14% of films. Consequences reach a town, institution or group.Isolation — 5% of filmsPrejudice — 3% of filmsDisplacement — 1% of filmsFaith — 3% of filmsTradition vs change — 2% of filmsFame — 3% of filmsLegacy — 4% of filmsFate — 1% of filmsFree will — under 1% of filmsTruth — 4% of filmsHope — 5% of filmsNature — 2% of filmsArt — 4% of filmsTechnology — 1% of filmsSelfSurvival
Every theme, clockwise from the top
  • Bonds 27%: Romantic love 15% · Marriage 2% · Family bonds 21% · Parenthood 2% · Friendship 9% · Loyalty 4%
  • Self 22%: Identity 14% · Coming of age 5% · Aging under 1% · Self-worth 7% · Ambition 7% · Purpose 9% · Memory 3% · Obsession 3%
  • Power 7%: Power 2% · Corruption 3% · Greed 3% · Class 3% · Oppression 4% · Freedom 5%
  • Morality 16%: Justice 13% · Duty 2% · Revenge 4% · Guilt 3% · Redemption 6% · Forgiveness 1% · Sacrifice 4% · Betrayal 5% · Deception 9% (this title)
  • Survival 15% (this title): Survival 17% (this title) · War 1% · Violence 4% · Mortality 2% · Grief 6% · Trauma 7% · Mental illness 1% · Addiction 1% · Illness and disability under 1%
  • Society 9%: Community 14% · Isolation 5% · Prejudice 3% · Displacement 1% · Faith 3% · Tradition vs change 2% · Fame 3% · Legacy 4%
  • Ideas 5%: Fate 1% · Free will under 1% · Truth 4% · Hope 5% · Nature 2% · Art 4% · Technology 1%

Survival

SurvivalDeception · 9% of films
Observes its theme: Presents its theme neutrally, declining to judge.Global stakes: Consequences reach the world.Single lead
How it treats its themeThe film focuses on the physical survival of Earth and its inhabitants against a deadly alien infestation, while also exploring the deception behind the Grays' supposedly hostile nature.
StanceThe survival threat has global implications, but the film's tone from reviews suggests a neutral, straightforward presentation rather than deep commentary.

The world

ContemporaryRuralInstitutionalScience fiction
ElectronicSupportive music · original score
Settinga rural area near a crash site and a coroner's facility, with a sci-fi backdrop of alien abduction and UFOs

Content guide

Is Gray Matter okay for kids?

Not Rated

Gray Matter is not rated. As of August 31, 2026, Midcredits content scores put its violence at intense (67/100), sexual content at mild (33/100) and language at intense (67/100). None has enough votes to rank yet.

Ratings in 1 other country
  • JapanR18+
Overall
Moderate · 3 of 5 categories
not ranked
Violence & Gore
Intense
too few votes to rank (1 vote)
Sex & Nudity
Mild
too few votes to rank (2 votes)
Profanity
Intense
too few votes to rank (2 votes)

Too few votes to rank this title overall (5 votes across 3 categories; ranking needs 10 in at least three).

Source: Midcredits content scores, 0 (none) to 100 (severe) per category, with each standing ranked against other films that have them.

What content warnings does Gray Matter have?

Not screened for content warnings yet.

Cast and crew

Who is in Gray Matter?

Cast

Alys Crocker
as Annabelle
Career best: Their highest-reaching film role by billing, audience size and rating.
Sean Patrick Dolan
as Billy
Screen debut: No prior film or television role.
Brenna Llewellyn
as Drive-Thru Worker
Screen debut: No prior film or television role.
Brent Bondy
as Alley Cop
Shantelle Canzanese
as Off Duty Dancer
Newcomer: A standing when this film came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Maria Piccoli
as Grocery Store Mom
Michael G. Wilmot
as Farmer
Newcomer: A standing when this film came out that sits in the bottom quarter of working actors today.
Tara O'Brien
as Dancer
Jay Wong
as Coroner
Harry J. Edison
as Landlord

Crew

More like this

What are movies like Gray Matter?

Movies like Gray Matter include Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem (2007), The Blob (1988) and It Came from Outer Space (1953). Of the 12 closest matches, most are stories about aliens, and most are creature features.

Balanced: every group counts the same, and production only breaks ties.

All 12 share its subject: survival. Those cards say what else they share.

Explore by

What else shares a premise, people or place with Gray Matter?

773 other films share the rarest tag below, up against: alien. Each tag opens Browse with the films that share it.