Evolution (2001)
12-month trend
12-month trend
Monthly article views
2025-09 to 2026-08
College professors investigating a meteor crash in the Arizona desert discover it harbors rapidly evolving extraterrestrial life forms.
The story
After a large meteor crashes in the Arizona desert, college professors Ira Kane and Harry Block investigate the site and discover a cave secreting a strange blue liquid. They find that the meteor harbors extraterrestrial microorganisms that evolve rapidly, condensing millions of years of evolution into mere hours. As the organisms transform into various creatures, the United States Army takes control of the site. Ira and Harry attempt to continue their research with the help of a Brigadier General and an epidemiologist, but they are soon shut out by the military.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
Following a meteor crash in the Arizona desert, professors Ira Kane and Harry Block discover extraterrestrial microorganisms that evolve at an accelerated rate. The organisms quickly develop into fungi, flatworms, and aquatic creatures, eventually creating a full-fledged alien ecosystem in a cave. When the creatures begin attacking nearby residents, the U.S. Army takes control. Ira, who was previously discharged from the Army due to a failed anthrax vaccine experiment, and Harry infiltrate the base to collect samples. The situation escalates as the aliens adapt to Earth's oxygen-rich environment. Governor Lewis demands action, and General Woodman authorizes a napalm strike. Ira realizes the heat will only accelerate evolution and proposes using selenium sulfide from Head & Shoulders shampoo to kill the nitrogen-based life forms. The team attempts to inject the aliens with the shampoo, but the army strikes early, fusing the aliens into a giant amoeba-like creature. The team successfully injects the creature, causing it to implode. The heroes are declared by Governor Lewis, Wayne becomes a firefighter, and Ira and Allison begin a romance.
- First release year
- 2001
- Runtime (minutes)
- 101
- Production countries
- United States
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Ivan Reitman
- Writers
- David Diamond · screenplay; David Weissman · screenplay; Don Jakoby · story
- Cast and characters
- David Duchovny · Ira Kane; Orlando Jones · Harry Block; Seann William Scott · Wayne Grey; Ted Levine · Russell Woodman; Julianne Moore · Allison Reed
- Genres
- science fiction; comedy
- Themes
- Rapid evolution; Human-alien conflict; Scientific discovery
- Tone and mood
- Comedy; Action; Sci-fi
- Premise and plot tags
- Monster movie; Alien invasion; Science fiction; Comedy
- Source material / true-story basis
- Story by Don Jakoby
- Reception
- The film received mixed-to-negative reviews from critics, who criticized the storyline and pacing, though the cast's performances were praised. It was a box-office disappointment but earned a cult following.
- Reported review scores
- Rotten Tomatoes · score: 44% · review count: 140; Metacritic · score: 40 · review count: 32; CinemaScore · score: B+ · scale: A to F
- Production trivia
- Ivan Reitman envisioned the film as a 'modern-day successor to Ghostbusters (1984).'; David Duchovny turned down roles in Star Wars: Episode II and III to shoot this movie.; The film was adapted into a short-lived animated series titled Alienators: Evolution Continues.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
Your lists
Loading your lists…