That Alien, Sound
June 8th, 2026
MOVIE: THAT ALIEN, SOUND
STARRING: MIA DANELLE, WILL TRANFO, AMY HILL, RICHARD MASUR
DIRECTED BY: BRANDO TOPP
AMovieGuy.com’s RATING: 3 ½ STARS (Out of 4)
RATED: PG-13
RUN TIME: 101 MINUTES
When an independent film gem is discovered, it truly feels like uncovering something rare- a treasure only a few people knew existed, and now you want to share it with the world. That is exactly what has happened with Brando Topp’s That Alien, Sound. It’s neither a standard body-swap story nor a typical alien-abduction movie, but rather a beautiful combination of both. The film begins with a young woman listening to music when, suddenly, her body is overtaken by an extraterrestrial life form. Her family and loved ones are then forced to reckon with this new entity inhabiting her body, creating a charming and heartfelt out-of-body experience. That Alien, Sound is an endearing, out-of-this-world independent film.
The story centers on Micah (played spectacularly by Mia Danelle), a twenty-something woman spending time with her boyfriend, Shannon (Will Tranfo), at a record store. While listening to music through her headphones, something strange occurs. Micah collapses to the floor, screaming as a sound wave from outer space inhabits her body. She is no longer Micah. Instead, she becomes Sound, a being experiencing human life for the very first time. Sound can feel, see, communicate, and interact with the world around her, but when she tells Micah’s family what has happened, they assume she is sick or joking. It soon becomes clear that neither is true. Micah is gone, and those closest to her must help this new entity find a way back to its original form.
The first half of That Alien, Sound is filled with hilarious interactions as Sound attempts to understand everyday human experiences: eating food, riding in a car, or even grasping the concept of what makes music “good.” What makes these moments work so well, beyond Topp’s creative screenplay, is Danelle’s performance. She strikes a delicate balance between mystery and curiosity. Sound is harmless, yet her presence comes at the cost of Micah’s disappearance. What unfolds is ultimately a story about growth and discovery, almost as if life itself is being experienced for the first time.
The film is also far more than a conventional body-swap comedy. As Sound remains in Micah’s body, relationships evolve and shift. Some connections deepen, while others- particularly her relationship with Shannon- begin to fade. Sound forms friendships not because she is trying to impress anyone, but because she is genuinely fascinated by the people around her. Unlike films such as 13 Going on 30 or The Shaggy Dog, this isn’t about becoming younger or transforming into another species. It is about starting over with a fresh perspective on life. Topp guides the story with a confident touch and is supported by a terrific cast, including Amy Hill and Richard Masur as Micah’s loving, bewildered, and ultimately accepting parents.
My favorite aspect of That Alien, Sound is its ending. It may divide audiences, but what cannot be denied is that Brando Topp is not interested in simply appeasing the masses. Instead, he is committed to telling the story exactly as he wants to tell it. My only real quibble is that the runtime occasionally feels a bit too long. Otherwise, there is much to praise in a film that is kindhearted, funny, dramatic, and completely unafraid to be itself. That Alien, Sound is a delightful film, in this body or the next.
3 ½ STARS
THAT ALIEN, SOUND IS NOW AVAILABLE TO WATCH ON TUBI AND TO RENT ON OTHER STREAMING PLATFORMS.
Written by: Leo Brady
