Move over, Esther—it’s time for a different kind of “family” secret. Isabelle Fuhrman is trading her innocent look for a lab coat in the upcoming sci-fi thriller Signal One, and the first-look images (courtesy of Variety) suggest that humanity is about to get a very loud, very unwanted wake-up call.
Fuhrman stars as Annika. She’s a brilliant computer scientist recruited by a tech billionaire (Josh Hutcherson) to work at a remote facility. The mission? Testing “LITTLEMOUTH,” a machine designed to translate alien signals.
The “LITTLEMOUTH” Problem
As it turns out, we aren’t alone in the universe. We’re just the only ones who can’t keep up with the conversation. Annika soon discovers that alien intelligences are broadcasting all around us at every moment. However, our brains are too primitive to understand the “download.”
The Plot Twist: The team decides that since they can’t understand the aliens, they’ll start talking back. Naturally, in an “elevated sci-fi” movie, this goes about as well as you’d expect. The project devolves into absolute chaos, and Annika is left trying to ensure that our first intergalactic “hello” isn’t also our species’ final “goodbye.”
A Heavy-Hitter Ensemble
Director Jonathan Sobol (The Art of the Steal) has rounded up a cast of genre veterans to help Annika save the world. Fuhrman and Hutcherson are joined by Dennis Quaid (The Substance), David Thewlis (Sandman), and Kiera Allen (Run).
Why It Matters
Acquired by Radial Entertainment, Signal One is being hailed as “essential sci-fi.” It leans into sophisticated, emotional storytelling rather than just space-lasers and explosions. It’s the kind of provocative, “real” science fiction that asks big questions about our place in the universe—mostly, “should we have just stayed quiet?”
The Isabelle Fuhrman Takeover
If you’re worried Fuhrman is leaving her horror roots behind, think again. 2026 is shaping up to be her busiest year yet. She’s also starring in the third installment (and second prequel) of the Orphan saga, which is set for a late 2026 release. She’s also signed on to play twins, one of whom is possessed in Izzi, also starring Michael Rooker.
