J.J. Abrams' New Movie Will Revive An Exciting Sci-Fi Trend (But There's A Risk)

Published Sep 12, 2026, 1:45 PM EDT Karlis has been obsessing over television and movie news since he first learned how to read. He has worked in tech, as a musician, and in journalism with a well-rounded knowledge base of pop-culture throughout the eras. He claims that he has memorized the entire Internet Movie Database, and to date no one has been able to refute this. Holding a Bachelor's Degree in Religion and Culture from Wilfrid Laurier University, Karlis loves to examine the intersections of popular science-fiction and culture. His latest novel MASS. is available now on Amazon and examines a world where obesity has become a federal crime. J.J. Abrams is one of the best and most exciting voices in filmmaking today, and his next film looks to revive an exciting, albeit risky, trend for the filmmaker. Developing his voice in hit series like the streaming hit Alias alongside cultural juggernauts like Lost, few filmmakers have shown so much promise so early in their careers. Television was only the start for Abrams. He added to some incredible franchises beginning in the 2000s, directing Mission: Impossible III before some of the most interesting Star Trek movies with his Kelvin timeline reboot. All of this led to Star Wars: The Force Awakens, a film that redefined the franchise for a new generation. To date, despite his strong storytelling prowess, Abrams has directed only one original film: Elle Fanning's breakout hit Super 8. That movie was a strong example of when Abrams' direction works best, while also feeling like a very personal story to the Amblin-influenced filmmaker, who worked for Stephen Spielberg as a teenager. Beyond the story, however, there is a compelling structure to Super 8 that is worth looking into, and is shared with many of Abrams' most beloved works. However, while that structure has been very successful for the filmmaker on multiple occasions, it is one that is very challenging to pull off and could be a risk for his next movie. The Great Beyond Will Bring More J.J. Abrams Mystery Box Fun Image courtesy of Ilze Kitshoff /© A24 /Courtesy Everett Collection J.J. Abrams' next movie, The Great Beyond, releases on October 1, 2027, and promises an intriguing and mysterious premise, little detail of which has been shared. Delving into the realms of science fiction and fantasy, the new film stars Glen Powell, Jenna Ortega, Emma Mackey, and many more. The first look at the movie occurred at CinemaCon this year, beforeThe Great Beyond was delayed until 2027. Teased as a science fantasy, rumors of the film, especially following its working title of Ghostwriter, suggest that it will involve another world beyond the bounds of our own. The film's premise alone is full of mystery and curiosity, and it is certain that it will lean on Abrams' directorial skill in how this is unveiled. With mysteries surrounding even the production and the story, it now appears certain that The Great Beyond will involve some big twists that warrant all the secrecy around it. J.J. Abrams Needs To Have Something Inside The Mystery Box This Time Credit: MovieStillsDB The problem with so many of these mystery box movies and series is that the eventual reveal does not feel satisfying. Much of this can stem from what has been planned from the beginning. Many criticize the Star Wars sequel trilogy for not having a coherent story, and for good reason. Abrams set up some compelling mysteries, including Rey's lineage, in The Force Awakens, but Rian Johnson subverted expectations in the sequel, revealing Rey to be no one. All of this made the story in Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, which revealed Rey was Palpatine's granddaughter, feel like a clumsy response to fan backlash rather than the plan from the beginning. Setting up a direction for compelling twists and turns can make for great, long-running television, but it's harder to pull off in movies. This issue, however, has also extended to the small screen. Shows like Lost had endings that felt disappointing due to the monumental weight of what came before. With this in mind, it is essential that The Great Beyond recognizes the importance of consistency throughout its entire runtime. Fortunately, for all that is known, The Great Beyond is only one film, and that could be much easier to pay off. With this in mind, The Great Beyond has the potential to be J.J. Abrams' best movie yet. However, it is also important to consider how so many of these mystery box movies have played out to date. An intriguing beginning must also lead to a satisfying ending. Birthdate June 27, 1966 Birthplace New York, New York, United States Notable Projects Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker Birthname Jeffrey Jacob Abrams