By far, the cyberpunk genre has been the most subversive category in fiction. It’s a grim and twisted reflection of the world we have today if both progress and problems were cranked to their extremes. Cyberpunk films, books, and other media forms often deal in rebellion, unfair status quo, existentialism, and anarchy, a combination which sadly, most of the world isn’t ready for just yet.
As a result, cyberpunk remains a niche in most media with its masterpieces remaining few and far between. Make no mistake, however, there are still a respectable number of cyberpunk masterpieces, particularly in film. You might not have heard of them previously, though since they don’t exactly share the same AAA treatment as The Matrix trilogy or the same cultural impact as Blade Runner or RoboCop. Still, these 10 mostly unknown cyberpunk masterpieces are worth every minute you spend on them, that much we assure you.
VIDEODROME
From the genius mind of David Cronenberg comes Videodrome, an exploration of dystopia brought about by the dangers of television (perceived or otherwise). Back then, specifically 1983 when the film was released, television was the “video games” of the generation. Hence, Cronenberg makes it so that a seemingly harmless yet sick TV program can change and alter reality for the viewers.
That’s basically what happened to the protagonist Max Renn (James Woods). While it’s not a full foray into the cyberpunk genre, the influences and cyberpunk iconography are there such as the body horror and modifications, sometimes they’re Orwellian even.
EXISTENZ
Another gem from Cronenberg, eXistenZ (yes, that’s the title) moves on to video games as a plot point. Allegra Geller (Jennifer Jason Leigh), a game designer and a protagonist of the film, somehow managed to make a virtual reality video game.
It’s like VR but instead of an Oculus Rift, the game console inserts an umbilical-cord-like link directly to the players’ spine (it’s Cronenberg alright). The film was a lot underrated than it deserved since it released only a month from The Matrix, a more iconic cyberpunk film
DARK CITY
A year before The Matrix started to make us question the threads of reality, there was Dark City. It still does pass for a cyberpunk film since the society in the film showcases an overall oppressive authority figure as well as the dominance of some shady groups vying for full control.
Add a dash of murder conspiracy, an amnesiac protagonist, and a place where night never ends and you have a film that masterfully blends noir and cyberpunk together. Many times over, the Strangers (the shadow group of the movie) even try to grasp the meaning of humanity in order to become human as well, much like cyborgs or androids in many cyberpunk films.
EQUILIBRIUM
It would be scandalous for film critics to call this one a “masterpiece” since the critical reviews for Equilibrium are not exactly stellar, but so far the audience unanimously likes it, enough to disregard the critical verdict. Anyway, Equilibrium is mostly an action film with a questionable premise: emotions cause chaos in society so authorities neutered everyone with mandatory medicine that makes them unfeeling.
Anyone who steps out of line or avoids the mandatory drug gets punished by a Clerick. One Clerick named John Preston (Christian Bale) got curious and started disobeying the very rules he’s tasked to enforce. He ends up challenging the whole dystopia and starting an impromptu revolution of emotions… it’s stupid but hey, the action more than makes up for it.
STRANGE DAYS
Before Minority Report even made a cyberpunk-flavored crime drama a thing, there was Strange Days. It was released back in 1995 and follows the exploits of a grifter named Lenny Nero. His illegal job involves trading of virtual reality-like recordings that allow users to experience the memories and emotions of others.
Somehow, Nero comes across a recording that shows someone he knew getting killed. Turns out, Nero accidentally unearthed an extensive conspiracy that involved the many aspects of authorities, most especially the police.
THE ANIMATRIX
The Matrix was so influential, it started several new spinoffs of its own and even had its own video game. Among those spinoffs is an anthology of animated short films in the same vein as The Matrix, aptly called The Animatrix. Many animators, artists, and writers have teamed up to help expand the lore and the world of The Matrix.
From the first inception of machines to the eventual defeat of the human race, The Animatrix will leave you agape with existential dread and a newfound love for the franchise. It’s cyberpunk in its purest form.
DREDD
Often, it’s rare for cyberpunk films or even games to feature a person in authority unless that person eventually breaks out of the mold. 2012’s Dredd, however, is all about the stalwart and grouchy future policeman, Dredd who also doubles as the judge, jury, and executioner of a society where criminals outnumber citizens.
If you’re not aware already, it’s also based on a comic book franchise about the same cyberpunk dystopia. Roughly a hundred years from now, the Judge Dredd franchise envisions a future where everything else but Mega-Cities are habitable, making it a haven for everyone, good or bad (mostly the latter). That in itself is worth seeing in film. Too bad Dredd didn’t quite get the recognition it deserves despite being a cinematic wonder.
DEMOLITION MAN
This is one of those Sylvester Stallone action movies where you’ll have to disregard some of the plot in order to truly enjoy it. If you can do that, then Demolition Man might even rival classics like Total Recall. It’s Sly’s attempt to one-up his Hollywood nemesis Ahnold.
As a result, we get a serviceable action cyberpunk film. Stallone plays a cop named John Spartan (yes, really) who got cryogenically frozen like his longtime enemy, the violent thug Simon Phoenix (Wesley Snipes). Two of them were unfrozen in the future where Phoenix wreaks havoc and only Spartan could stop him.
UPGRADE
Upgrade is a tale of classic revenge brought to you by some of the most common cyberpunk tropes: bodily cybernetic enhancements. Despite being a pure revenge story, one can’t simply replace cybernetic enhancements with magic or superhero powers. Upgrade makes good use of such a trope that both the critics and the audience love it.
The film revolves around protagonist Grey Trace who got mugged and became paralyzed. He was offered to be a test subject for an A.I. implant called STEM and it made him cool enough (read as ‘superhuman’) to get revenge (though there’s a shady organization twist there). Again, it’s an action film through a cyberpunk lens. Think of it as John Wick meets Venom.
SLEEP DEALER
A few minutes into the low-budget Sleep Dealer, there’s no doubting its cyberpunk influence. It features a future world marked by closed borders, factories controlled by virtual labor, and of course, crippling poverty despite all the futuristic advancements.
In such a dysfunctional world, three people find a way to break the barriers of their “prisons” (virtual or physical) and risk their lives in the process. To make the film more haunting, it was released in 2009 but managed to portray a Mexico where the borders are closed and anyone who crosses will be dealt with lethally… now, what are the chances something like that is happening today? In any case, this film captures the true essence of the cyberpunk genre: showing where we might be soon headed if our species doesn’t improve.
