Dystopian premises in films can make for some truly imaginative and gripping epics, which typically pit a hero (or antihero) against nearly insurmountable odds within an ominous, hostile environment. As these creative concepts in movies tend to take place in a dark, twisted future gone awry, they often make for some of the most captivating sci-fi films.
This more grandiose, darkly-tinged brand of sci-fi keeps the viewer on the edge of their seat as our protagonist(s) must fight to overcome a series of rough circumstances, usually forced upon them by corrupt forces and/or powerful entities pulling the strings. Let’s take a look at the 10 greatest sci-fi films that revolve around these dark dystopias, according to imdb.com.
Stalker (1979) - 8.2
While many sci-fi movies rely on thrilling action and sleek visuals for much of their intrigue, this gritty and trippy foreign film, directed by Andrei Tarkovsky, leans heavily on an almost hypnotic sense of atmosphere. Stalker deals with the concept of thought-provoking concepts like human spirituality and philosophy, painting the scene with strange imagery and a narrative that feels experimental almost to the point of being abstract.
The film follows the “Stalker” who guides people on an emotional, psychological journey through “The Zone,” which presents a warped and foreign new version of reality.
V For Vendetta (2005) - 8.2
There was already a wealth of great content to draw upon, given that this politically-tinged thriller is based on a British graphic novel by the same name. Yet, director James McTeigue and the Wachowskis largely managed to make this dystopian tale their own, with a distinctly thick sense of atmosphere and some eerie imagery to boot.
Pushed to the brink and terrorized by a totalitarian government that’s consumed England, a masked anarchist known as V teams up with a humble working-class citizen caught up in the oppressive rule of this neo-fascist regime, as they fight to bring revolution. The movie excels in its rich cinematography, along with its portrayal of two dynamic, complementary antiheroes, while casting a profoundly dark light on Authoritarian governments that’s both authentic and imaginative.
Metropolis (1927) - 8.3
One of the earliest science fiction films to grace the big screen still chugs along as one of the most well-crafted and memorable. Despite its more primitive visuals and lack of dialogue, Metropolis truly leaves an impression with its message, its attention to detail, and its immensely creative, rich settings. Being a silent film, its the strength of the powerful imagery and visual storytelling that powers this narrative machine - and director Fritz Lang pulls this off to perfection.
Like many sci-fi dystopias, Metropolis hones in on the plight of a downtrodden working class, exploring their dynamic with the aristocracy, which exploits their labor. It also visually warns of the perils and uncertainty of the then-new-concept of the Industrial Revolution, as it shows humanity as slaves to the vast machinery they endlessly work on. The rise of machinery has seemingly consumed humankind and ironically made them extensions of the machines themselves.
2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) - 8.3
One aspect sci-fi is known for is its ability to explore new, unexplored technological, paranormal, and even philosophical grounds in a way that’s thought-provoking and entertaining. Much like Metropolis, 2001: A Space Odyssey is a stellar example of these traits, while also being a sort of cultural representation of the era; in this case, the prospect of space exploration in the late ’60s.
This Stanley Kubrick sci-fi gem has a knack for entrancing viewers with its eerie sense of atmosphere which draws you into the dark, desolate depths of space. You tend to feel both in awe and somewhat vulnerable in these vast, foreign settings. This certainly won’t blow your hair back in terms of action, but it’s this unique storytelling, along with its blend of mysticism and realism, that allows 2001 to shine.
A Clockwork Orange (1971) - 8.3
Shifting to a very different Kubrick flick, we have this abstract, trippy dystopian crime film, A Clockwork Orange. A large chunk of its effectiveness stems from its blend of recognizable, realistic environments and unsettlingly hostile, dismal dystopias. We witness vast, sprawling environments that are largely abandoned and dilapidated, where gangs roam the street and corruption runs rampant. The ambiguity of the traits or history of this strange setting only makes for a more unsettling watch.
Even our protagonist, the unique, oddball Alex, stands as an antihero delinquent who partakes in acts of rape and “ultra-violence.” This film takes the underlying traits of a crime movie premise and injects a bizarre style that takes a twisted, dark look into humanity and its dynamic in a controlling, hostile society.
WALL-E (2008) - 8.4
With this 2008 animated classic, Disney-Pixar managed to take the concept of a pretty gloomy, hopeless futuristic setting and color it with a warm, endearing relationship between two very different androids. While it’s partly a charming, simple animation featuring two silent robotic protagonists, WALL-E cleverly touches on the concepts of human obesity, the excesses of consumerism, and humankind’s impact on the environment.
You wouldn’t expect this slick work of animation to resemble the ‘27 black and white film Metropolis in any way, but this film does similarly master the concept of visual storytelling, offering a window into a glum future.
Aliens (1986) - 8.4
Picking up where the visually-oriented Ridley Scott left off, James Cameron does an excellent job carrying the torch of this engaging sci-fi franchise by crafting a truly epic sequel. He stays true to the look, feel, and concepts that fans loved about Alien, while revving up the sense of action and raising the stakes and scope with the ominous presence of multiple creepy alien foes.
This time we follow Ellen Ripley more directly (excellently portrayed by Sigourney Weaver), who awakens from a lengthy cryosleep - which fans of the ‘79 classic could relate to during the 7-year wait between films. From there, we follow her through an emotional and action-packed journey as she and the band of marines seek to deal with the alien threat and take on the queen.
Alien (1979) - 8.4
Despite being over 4 decades old, Ridley Scott’s Alien still holds up as an “edge-of-your-seat” entertaining and thrilling dark sci-fi, largely solidifying Scott as one of the most renowned filmmakers of the last half-century.
With the movie’s dark, creepy settings, tension-building suspense, and grotesquely realistic effects, Alien succeeds as an unsettling horror film as much as a dystopian sci-fi romp. Just about everything is spot-on with this ‘79 classic - from the memorable cast to the claustrophobic setting of the ship to the detail of the scary alien being that makes viewers cringe even today.
Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991) - 8.5
While it’s all about 2019’s Dark Fate these days, it’s tough to deny that this iconic sci-fi action movie, Terminator 2: Judgment Day, is the series at its peak. Most fans will tell you that the recent renditions, despite their modern-day cinematic glitz, don’t hold a candle to the first 2 films.
This film is significant in a number of ways - not just because of the epic performance of action hero Arnold Schwarzenegger or the cutting-edge visual effects - but because this is a rare case of a sequel action outshining its predecessor. It even manages this by essentially reversing the role of the Terminator, as he’s been reprogrammed to save Sarah Connor and the Resistance leader John.
This film has it all - awesome action, a high-stakes post-apocalyptic premise, and of course, those legendary Schwarzenegger one-liners.
The Matrix (1999) - 8.7
It’s hard to think of a more epic, ominous dystopian setting than a wasteland ruled by machines that plug humans into a sophisticated virtual reality while feeding off their energy. This cinematic gem from the Wachowskis wasn’t just a revolution in filmmaking or action scenes - with the awesome use of bullet time - but it was also laced with deep, thought-provoking concepts.
On one level, The Matrix creatively explores the idea of humanity’s relationship and reliance on technology. Yet, there are many layers of depth to this philosophical sci-fi action film. Seemingly everything from the power of groupthink to the discovery of the self to the notion of fate is touched on here. For all these reasons, The Matrix shines as a timeless, impactful, and enjoyable dystopian trip.
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