Southern trained/Southern Exposure filmmaker Jeff Nichols sees Michael Shannon in a heroic light, and that’s good enough for me.

“Midnight Special” is a markedly different piece of work from the guy who gave us “Shotgun Stories” and “Take Shelter” and “Mud.”

A supernatural kid, Shannon and Joel Edgerton protecting him, Sam Shepard and maybe Adam Driver in hot pursuit.

Opens Friday. Looks cool.