The Day After Tomorrow Movie Review (2004)

A disaster film about a climatologist trying to reach his son as catastrophic weather events reshape the world, The Day After Tomorrow is an uneven film with strong performances, memorable visuals, and an emotional core that helps ground its stranger moments.

I have never been particularly drawn to disaster movies. I’ve watched and enjoyed many (even if they are silly), like Armageddon and Titanic, but I’ve also seen some that are hugely inferior, like War of the Worlds (I want those 90 minutes back!). For me, though, unless it has an emotional core, like The Road, I just don’t find the same lure others do.

The Day After Tomorrow is about climatologist and married father, Jack, who has been trying to get the US government and other officials to understand that if changes aren’t made, a major natural disaster is at hand. While working, he spends most of his time away from the family, and his wife informs him that their teenage son, Sam, is heading to New York for an academic competition with friends. Within days, the superstorm that Jack has been concerned about becomes a reality, and the possibility of another ice age for the entire northern half of the United States is at hand.

This is an over-the-top disaster film that swings wildly from “Oh, very cool” to “I’m sorry, what??” fairly frequently. You’re going to need to suspend some major disbelief here.

I really liked that scientists and their research are at the core of this film. While members of the government may not believe what Jack is saying is destined to happen – and as a watcher, it does sound preposterous because it likely is – the fact that it is based in science helps make the film feel realistic. Whether a new ice age is going to happen to our world or not, climate change is real, and I appreciate the relatable discussions about the need to care for our planet.

There are some spectacular special effects, with doorways freezing and New York landmarks covered in snow and ice. The ideas are ambitious, and most are awe-inspiring, but a few are cringeworthy with painful CGI. You will know one from the other immediately.

One of the best parts of The Day After Tomorrow is the running theme of the father/son relationship. Jack hasn’t always been there for Sam, and now that Sam is in dire trouble, along with thousands of other New Yorkers, Jack is determined to be there for him. In the face of what could be just another catastrophe story, Jack’s need and Sam’s strength and trust in his father help ground the movie.

The Day After Tomorrow is an incredibly uneven film with some odd plot points (there are wolves?) and implausible storytelling. That said, Dennis Quaid and Jake Gyllenhaal help to level up this cautionary tale, so if you enjoy large-scale apocalypse-type visuals, you may enjoy this.

Runtime: 123 minutes

Motion Picture Rating: PG-13

Languages Spoken In The Film: English

Should You Watch It? Yes, if you enjoy disaster films. If not, skip it

Did I Cry? Nope

My Rating: 2.5/5 Stars

Available: Free on Hulu or Disney+, to rent on Prime Video, or may be available for free on other streaming platforms