Paul is a 2011 sci-fi comedy directed by Greg Mottola and written by Simon Pegg and Nick Frost, who also star in it. The film mixes road-trip comedy with nerdy sci-fi culture, packed with pop culture references, irreverent humor, and a surprisingly warm heart.
Detailed Summary
The Nerdy Beginning
Graeme Willy (Simon Pegg) and Clive Gollings (Nick Frost) are two British geeks traveling to America for Comic-Con. After their fanboy pilgrimage, they decide to take a road trip through famous UFO landmarks in the American Southwest.
Meeting Paul
While driving through the Nevada desert, they accidentally encounter Paul (voiced by Seth Rogen), an actual alien who has been living on Earth since the 1940s. Unlike the sinister government-alien tropes, Paul is sarcastic, chill, and deeply familiar with human culture. He’s on the run from government agents who want to recapture him after decades of keeping him hidden.
On the Run
The trio is chased by Agent Zoil (Jason Bateman) and two bumbling government lackeys (Bill Hader and Joe Lo Truglio). Along the way, they meet Ruth (Kristen Wiig), a sheltered Christian woman whose worldview is turned upside down when she meets Paul. She eventually joins their escape mission, finding both freedom and romance with Graeme.
Secrets and Revelations
It’s revealed that Paul has been telepathically influencing pop culture for years—explaining why so many sci-fi movies and books resemble him. The government wants him back because his knowledge could revolutionize human medicine, but Paul just wants to go home.
Movie Ending
The climax takes place at Devil’s Tower (a direct nod to Close Encounters of the Third Kind), where Paul has arranged to be picked up by his people. The group is cornered by government agents, and in the chaos, Ruth’s father (a gun-toting fundamentalist) and the incompetent agents cause further trouble.
Paul is severely injured during the standoff while saving Graeme, but he demonstrates his healing abilities—though it nearly costs him his life. Just as things look dire, a spaceship arrives. Paul says heartfelt goodbyes, promising his friends that they’ve changed his life as much as he’s changed theirs.
In the final moments, Paul is taken aboard the ship and leaves Earth. The film ends with Graeme, Clive, and Ruth embracing their new lives—Ruth fully liberated, and Graeme and Clive continuing their geeky journey, but now with an adventure worthy of their sci-fi dreams.
Are There Post-Credits Scenes?
No, Paul does not feature any post-credits scenes. Once the movie ends, it’s over.
Type of Movie
Paul is a sci-fi buddy comedy. It blends nerd culture, road trip hijinks, alien conspiracy tropes, and a dash of romantic comedy.
Cast
- Simon Pegg as Graeme Willy
- Nick Frost as Clive Gollings
- Seth Rogen as the voice of Paul
- Kristen Wiig as Ruth Buggs
- Jason Bateman as Agent Zoil
- Bill Hader as Agent Haggard
- Joe Lo Truglio as Agent O’Reilly
- Sigourney Weaver as “The Big Guy”
Film Music and Composer
The score was composed by David Arnold, known for his work on several James Bond films. The soundtrack also features licensed songs, including classic rock and Americana tracks, which add to the road trip vibe.
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Filming Locations
- New Mexico was the primary filming site, chosen for its desert landscapes that matched UFO mythology.
- Santa Fe and Albuquerque were key shooting areas.
- Devil’s Tower, Wyoming serves as the film’s climax setting, an intentional homage to Close Encounters of the Third Kind.
These locations were important because they tied directly to real-world UFO lore and gave the film its authentic geek-tourist road trip feel.
Awards and Nominations
The film didn’t rack up major awards but received nominations at comedy and sci-fi festivals. It was praised for its humor and performances, though some critics found it less sharp than Pegg and Frost’s earlier collaborations.
Behind the Scenes Insights
- Pegg and Frost specifically wrote Paul with Seth Rogen in mind as the alien’s voice.
- The CGI creation of Paul was challenging—the character had to be both cartoonish and believably emotional.
- Kristen Wiig improvised many of Ruth’s awkward and funny lines.
- Sigourney Weaver’s casting was a deliberate nod to her iconic roles in Alien and other sci-fi films.
Inspirations and References
- Inspired by American UFO culture and road trips through “UFO country.”
- Heavy references to E.T., Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Alien, and even Star Wars.
- The character of Paul plays on the cliché of government-kept aliens but flips it by making him more “stoner best friend” than “ominous lab specimen.”
Alternate Endings and Deleted Scenes
Deleted scenes include extended jokes and more banter between Graeme and Clive, but no major alternate endings were ever revealed. The filmmakers wanted a clean, heartfelt conclusion at Devil’s Tower.
Book Adaptations and Differences
There is no book that the movie is directly adapted from. Instead, it’s an original screenplay inspired by sci-fi pop culture. However, a tie-in novelization of the movie was released, sticking closely to the film’s events.
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Memorable Scenes and Quotes
Key Scenes
- Graeme and Clive’s Comic-Con visit at the start of the film.
- The first reveal of Paul, stepping out of the desert and casually smoking a cigarette.
- Ruth swearing for the first time after meeting Paul.
- The standoff at Devil’s Tower and Paul’s emotional farewell.
Iconic Quotes
- Paul: “I’m not going to eat your face. I’m not like that.”
- Clive: “I’m not ready to get probed!”
- Ruth: “You just have to roll with it, like Paul says.”
Easter Eggs and Hidden Details
- Sigourney Weaver’s cameo is a wink to her Alien legacy.
- The Devil’s Tower finale mirrors Close Encounters almost shot for shot.
- Paul casually mentions helping Steven Spielberg with E.T.—a meta nod to real-life Hollywood.
Trivia
- Seth Rogen did motion capture as well as the voice for Paul.
- The film was partly shot during the actual Comic-Con, adding authenticity.
- The script was written by Pegg and Frost while touring America for Hot Fuzz.
- Many minor alien references in the background posters and signs are lifted directly from UFO folklore.
Why Watch?
If you love sci-fi, road trip comedies, or Pegg & Frost’s brand of nerdy humor, Paul is a perfect pick. It’s a mix of heart, geek references, and absurd comedy, with an alien who feels more human than most people.
Director’s Other Movies
- Superbad (2007)
- Adventureland (2009)
- Keeping Up with the Joneses (2016)
