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The film opens with a clever red herring, presenting what appear to be aliens from the sky. However, a pull-back of the camera reveals that they are, in fact, the smallest organisms on Earth—setting up the film's conclusion early on. The narrative leads us to understand that humanity will not triumph over the alien invaders through brute force, but rather through the mundane triumph of microbial life.
Tom Cruise plays Ray, a dockworker struggling with his role as a single parent while his ex-wife is away. This familial conflict is juxtaposed against the backdrop of an impending alien invasion, adding depth to Ray's character and showcasing the complexity of parenthood during catastrophic events.