Sci-fi movies might seem like something that can only happen in the distant future. But a truly good sci-fi movie always pays attention to the present and makes you ask, “What if?”
Here are 10 sci-fi movies that felt a little too real and left us questioning our perception of reality.
10. Minority Report (2002)
Set in 2054, ‘Minority Report‘ portrays a society where a system called “Precrime” has been established. In this system, three psychics use advanced technology to predict murders before they happen, allowing the police to prevent the crimes. Police officer John Anderton soon discovers that he has been identified as the next person destined to commit murder.
Now, he must go on the run from the very system he helped build in order to uncover the real culprit behind the setup. What makes this Steven Spielberg classic feel so real is its use of predictive algorithms, facial recognition, and advanced surveillance technology.
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9. Interstellar (2014)
Hailed as one of the most acclaimed sci-fi movies of all time, ‘Interstellar’ straight up shows us real scientific knowledge with just a dash of fiction. It is set in a dystopian near-future in which Earth is suffering from a catastrophic famine.
A group of astronauts travels through space in search of a new home for humanity. It is one thing to know the effect black holes can have on space and time. But to see the raw exploration of how it can affect our real life completely shatters our perception of reality.
8. Blade Runner 2049 (2017)
Though set in 2049, this beloved sequel definitely makes us think about the moral complexities we face as humans right now, especially in an age of advancing bioengineering that is leading to artificial life and identity crises.
It follows L.A.P.D. officer K, who has unearthed a long-buried secret that has the potential to plunge what’s left of society into chaos. The more he investigates, the more he realizes the cost of this information falling into the wrong hands.
7. The Martian (2015)
Based on Andy Weir’s novel, ‘The Martian’, a manned mission to Mars, where, after a tragic event, the crew leaves in a hurry. However, the team leaves behind astronaut Mark Watney, who goes missing during a fierce storm, presuming that he died. But Whatney miraculously survives and finds himself stranded and alone on the planet.
The movie documents his attempt to survive on a very meager supply and to return home. The meticulous research that went into the writing of ‘The Martian’ makes it seem like real-life footage straight out of NASA’s record films rather than some sci-fi fantasy.
6. Ex Machina (2014)
With the growing developments in AI and human interaction, and it becoming a huge part of our day-to-day life, the events of ‘Ex Machina’ hit a little too hard. When Caleb, a young programmer at the world’s largest internet company, wins a competition, he gets to head to a private mountain retreat.
Excited Caleb heads on to the remote location but finds that there is something more disturbing waiting for him; the world’s first true artificial intelligence housed in the body of a beautiful robot girl.
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5. Arrival (2016)
Another Villeneuve classic, ‘Arrival’, explores humanity’s first contact with extraterrestrial beings. When gigantic spaceships start to land all around the world, linguistics professor Louise Banks leads an elite team of investigators to solve their mystery.
The world is on the verge of global war, and Banks must find a way to communicate with the extraterrestrial visitors to find out why they are here. It deeply explores the communication barriers human beings must face in the face of the future.
4. Gattaca (1997)
There is a reason ‘Gattaca’ remains a favorite among countless sci-fi movies: it takes up the discussion of gene editing and personal DNA data and is rooted in the social problems we see every day. It follows Vincent Freeman, who wants to travel to space but is deemed unsuitable because of his genetic makeup, which is deemed useful only for menial jobs.
To move ahead of his class, he assumes the identity of Jerome Morrow, learning to manipulate and deceive DNA and urine sample testing. Just when he thinks he gets to go on a space mission, the police launch an investigation, jeopardizing his secrets.
3. Her (2013)
In the age of chatbots and social media, the 2013 movie ‘Her’ doesn’t even feel like science fiction. It tells the story of Theodore, a lonely man in the final stages of his divorce. When he purchases a new operating system for his computer, he quickly finds himself drawn to Samantha, the voice behind the software.
He spends all his time on the computer, and they grow closer and closer. Theodore falls in love with the software and finds himself dealing with feelings of both great joy and doubt. His struggle truly mirrors the lack of genuine connection and isolation we face day to day.
2. Contagion (2011)
Did this 2011 film already predict the global pandemic we faced in 2020? ‘Contagion’ is set in a society struck by a deadly airborne infection that spreads rapidly. Medical researchers and public health officials try their best to identify and contain the disease.
But hell has already broken loose on earth as the infections turn into a worldwide pandemic, breaking down social order. It shows how helpless and fragile humans are in the face of natural adversities.
1. Children of Men (2006)
This one is literally set in 2027, where total human infertility has led to wars and global depression, pushing humanity to the brink of extinction. Yet, even in the face of a catastrophe that threatens humanity as a whole, people’s greed for power persists, leading to problems we are already dealing with in the real world.
However, the unexpected discovery of a lone pregnant woman starts the desperate journey to deliver her to safety and restore faith in society and the future. Even though the latter part has a bit of fantasy, the societal collapse has a lot in common with our present world.
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