Paul (2011)

Paul is a 2011 sci-fi comedy film directed by Greg Mottola, starring Simon Pegg and Nick Frost. The film follows two British comic book geeks, Graeme Willy (Simon Pegg) and Clive Gollings (Nick Frost), who travel to the U.S. to attend the San Diego Comic-Con and embark on a road trip to visit famous UFO and alien-related sites in the American Southwest. Along the way, they encounter Paul, a wisecracking alien who has escaped from a secret government facility. Paul enlists their help to reach a rendezvous point where his spaceship will pick him up and take him home. Meanwhile, a government agent named Lorenzo Zoil (Jason Bateman) and two bumbling FBI agents (Bill Hader and Joe Lo Truglio) are in pursuit, aiming to recapture Paul. Along the way, the trio meets Ruth Buggs (Kristen Wiig), a devout Christian with a blind eye, whom Paul heals, challenging her beliefs. They also reconnect with Tara Walton (Blythe Danner), who rescued Paul decades earlier. The film is a loving homage to classic sci-fi and pop culture, with references to E.T. and The X-Files. It blends comedy with heartfelt moments, exploring themes of friendship, belief, and acceptance. The film runs approximately 104 minutes and is a cult favorite among genre enthusiasts.