I Am Number Four (released in theaters on Feb, 18, 2011) introduces John Smith, an extraordinary teen played by Alex Pettyfer, who is actually an alien refugee from the planet Lorien. The plot follows John as he moves from town to town with his guardian Henri, portrayed with a protective intensity by Timothy Olyphant, to evade the Mogadorians—a ruthless extraterrestrial race that destroyed their home world.
There were nine gifted children sent to Earth, protected by a charm that dictates they can only be killed in numerical order.
With numbers one through three already dead, John is next.
Settling in Paradise, Ohio, John attempts to lead a normal life, befriending a tech-savvy outcast played by Callan McAuliffe and falling for Sarah Hart, a kind-hearted photographer portrayed by Dianna Agron.
However, as his supernatural “Legacies” such as telekinesis and palm-generated light, begin to manifest, the Mogadorians close in, led by a commander played by Kevin Durand.
The stakes escalate when the mysterious and battle-hardened Number Six, played by Teresa Palmer, arrives to join the fight, turning a desperate flight into a high-octane confrontation at the local high school.
The film strikes a balance between the angst of high school life and large-scale science fiction action.
Pettyfer brings a brooding physicality to the role, while Agron provides the emotional anchor that makes John’s desire for a stationary life feel earned.
The true standout is Palmer, whose kinetic energy and combat prowess inject a surge of adrenaline into the final act.
Olyphant serves as the film’s moral compass, grounding the fantastical elements with a weary, fatherly sincerity that raises the emotional stakes when the inevitable battle for survival begins.
Michael Bay produced and D.J. Caruso directed I Am Number Four.
Dianna Agron and Alex Pettyfer in I Am Number Four (Photo/Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures)
Reception for I Am Number Four
I Am Number Four grossed $22.8 million on its opening weekend, finishing second at the box office behind Unknown ($25.5 million).
The film would gross $149.9 million worldwide.
Legacy
I Am Number Four is defined by its position as a quintessential “what if” of the young adult cinematic era. Arriving at the height of the YA adaptation boom, it successfully blended the tropes of superhero origin stories with the relatable struggles of teenage isolation.
While a direct cinematic sequel never materialized, the film remains a beloved cult favorite that kept the spirit of the source novels alive for a dedicated global fanbase.
It is frequently revisited for its impressive visual effects and its ability to condense complex world-building into a sleek, accessible action thriller.
I Am Number Four also served as a significant stepping stone for its rising stars, particularly cementing the action-hero credentials of its lead cast and remaining a nostalgic touchstone for those who grew up during the peak of the paranormal romance genre.
