Shannon, with his quizzical brow and disquieting intensity, is an actor who dares us to lean in.
He turns slow-boiling menace into a mystery we want to solvepossibly at our own peril.
Nichols, the man behind 2011sTake Shelterand 2012sMud, gets the actors creepy magnetism better than anyone.
Credit: Ben Rothstein
And he puts it to its best use yet in the strangely hypnotic sci-fi thrillerMidnight Special.
But Roy is actually Altons father, and the kids no ordinary kid.
He possesses a supernatural power that a religious cult and the government are both after.
Usually Alton is shy and quiet, poring over superhero comics.
