Jackson’s Weta Workshop produced the futuristic weapons and Weta Digital created the visual effects for the film. Universal Pictures anticipated a release in August 2016 but decided against this and transferred the rights to Netflix which released it on December 9, 2016. Release Initially, Universal Pictures was going to distribute the film, setting an August 12, 2016 release date for the film. In June 2016, the film was pulled from the schedule. Netflix later acquired distribution rights to the film and released the film worldwide on December 9, 2016. On February 1, 2017, Netflix released a prequel comic of the movie called Spectral: Ghosts of War made available digitally through the website ComiXology. Critical reception Rotten Tomatoes gives the film an approval rating of 78% based on 9 reviews, with an average rating of 5.70/10. Writing for The Verge, Tasha Robinson summarises "It’s understandable that Netflix jumped at the chance to grab what was intended as a big-screen, large-scale thriller. But Spectral winds up feeling like a much smaller film, like something that was intended for a casual streaming experience all along." References Further reading The science of Spectral: Is that really how Bose–Einstein condensate behaves? An actual Bose–Einstein condensate scientist reviews Spectral's science. Plus a response from the film's director, Nic Mathieu. Thilo Stöferle. July 18, 2017. Ars Technica. Accessed June 4, 2021. External links Spectral on Netflix 2016 films 2016 action thriller films 2016 directorial debut films 2016 science fiction action films 2010s war films American 3D films American action thriller films American science fiction action films English-language Netflix original films Films produced by Thomas Tull Films scored by Junkie XL Films set in Moldova Films shot in Budapest Films with screenplays by George Nolfi Legendary Pictures films Military science fiction films Techno-thriller films 2010s American films