Throughout the years, the science fiction genre has proven to serve as both a reflection and a playground for our existentialist thoughts. Many films in the genre tackle poignant topics such as artificial intelligence and fun themes like interstellar travel. In a universe as vast as our own, it only makes sense that audiences are drawn to this genre, especially considering how it tackles the boundaries of our reality.
As such, many sci-fi films have provided audiences with food for thought in a world rapidly evolving beyond our understanding. From environmental films such asAnnihilationto dystopian epics likeChildren of Men,we look back at some of the most thought-provoking science fiction movies, analyzing what exactly makes them stand out from the rest.
10’Annihilation' (2018)
Director: Alex Garland
Alex Garland’s visually breathtakingAnnihilationstays with audiences after the credits roll thanks to itsmemorable eco-horrornarrative. The plot centers around a biologist, played byNatalie Portman, who signs up for a dangerous and secret expedition to a place where the laws of nature do not apply.
Whether we’re talking about terrifying mutations or the mysterious and hostile Shimmer area itself,Annihilationprovides audiences with plenty of food for thought:it is an eerie exploration of man versus nature (though not an external enemy but rather a transformative force), delving into themes of self-destruction and inciting audiences to confront nature’s unpredictability. Garland’s film is also quite striking when it comes to its visuals, fully immersing viewers in its twisted narrative.
Annihilation
9’Primer' (2004)
Director: Shane Carruth
Time travel enthusiasts who haven’t yet given this low-budget sci-fi a try may want to consider doing it anytime soon. TheShane Carruthmovie,created on an impressive $7000 budget, focuses on four friends (Shane Carruth,David Sullivan,Casey Gooden, andAnad Upadhyaya) wrestling over their new accidental invention: the time-traveling machine.
Primer’s approach to time-traveling is believable and well-explained, making it easy for audiences to be engaged in its narrative. Despite being made on a tiny budget,Primeris intriguing and captivating, exploring time travel as if it were a real discovery, and shedding light on existentialist questions about human nature. Overall, it is a thoughtful film about a popular subject done in a realistic, non-romanticized way that recognizes the complications that come with time travel.
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8’Contact' (1997)
Director: Robert Zemeckis
Jodie Fosterstars as passionate scientist Dr. Ellie Arroway in this engagingRobert Zemeckispicture based onCarl Sagan’s novel. After years of searching, she finds conclusive proof of extraterrestrial intelligence, sending plans for a mysterious machine.
Not only doesContactquestion alien life, but it alsotaps into questions of humanity and belief, as well as the search for meaning in the universe. On top of being incredibly executed, featuring great visual effects, sound, and cinematography, Zemeckis' picture is thought-provoking, mostly for how it balances faith and science while also pushing viewers to think about how such a big discovery would affect us personally. At its core,Contactis a must-see science fiction film about the unquenchable search for truth.
7’Ex Machina' (2014)
The second Alex Garland picture on this list is 2014’s poignantEx Machina,starringAlicia Vikanderas the titular robot. Set on a precluded island, the plot sees a young programmer (Domnhall Gleeson) participate in a groundbreaking experiment by evaluating the human qualities of a highly advanced humanoid artificial intelligence.
Considering that we’re just getting started with A.I.,Ex Machinacan come as a warning andthought-provoking existentialist feature: it makes viewers question what it means to be human and whether an A.I. can be fully conscious. Considering the era we’re living in, Garlan’ds film is very much poignant, forcing us to define the ethical responsibilities related to creating and interacting with such life-like beings.Ex Machinais anchored by amazing performances, fantastic (even if minimalistic) visuals, and its overall complexity.
Ex Machina
6’Children of Men' (2006)
Director: Alfonso Cuarón
Alfonso Cuarón’s movie paints an interesting near-future scenario. Set in the upcoming year of 2027, it sees a chaotic world in which women have become infertile. Their only hope? A miraculously pregnant woman, whom a former activist agrees to help transport to a sanctuary at sea.
Although it features extraordinary technical aspects, such as an unforgettable dystopian worldbuilding, top-notch production design, and sound,Children of Men’s success certainly has to do with its mind-bending narrative and how it leaves viewers with a sense of urgency. It is a powerful reminder of what could potentially happen if humanity lost its way, showing viewers a world that resembles our own featuring realistic dystopian depictions, making audiences feel like they could easily be a part of the story.
Children of Men
5’Arrival' (2016)
Director: Denis Villeneuve
Amy Adamsdelivers a tour-de-force performance inDenis Villeneuve’s jaw-droppingArrival. The story focuses on a linguist who leads a team of investigators when enormous spaceships touch down around the world. Banks must join forces with her crew to find a way to communicate with the extraterrestrial visitors.
Not only is Villeneuve’s film outstanding visually, enhancing the story through its moody atmosphere, but it also does an incredible job at employing an absorbing non-linear narrative.What makesArrivala particularly thought-provoking sci-fi film is the way that it examines how language shapes our understandingof each other and the world around us. On top of analyzing the power of communication, it also delves into themes of memory, loss, and time in a captivating way. Fans ofslow-burn science fictionare guaranteed to enjoy Villeneuve’s profound masterpiece.
4’Solaris' (1972)
Director: Andrei Tarkovsky
It would be impossible not to mentionAndrei Tarkovskywhen it comes to such a list. Based onStanisław Lem’s novel,Solarisis a cerebral adventure sci-fi epic centering around a psychologist named Kelvin (Donatas Banionis) who is sent to a station orbiting a distant planet — which manifests physical representations of people’s deepest fears and desires — to discover what has caused the crew to slowly descend into madness.
Solaris' engrossing exploration of human consciousness and memory is genuinely captivating and one of the aspects that elevate it above a regular sci-fi flick. Its existentialist themes and how it delves into complex human emotions challenge audiences to re-examine how we grapple with our own memories and wishes. As such, not only isSolaristechnically an incredible film, but it is also a thought-provoking, existentialist masterwork.
3’Interstellar' (2014)
Director: Christopher Nolan
Christopher Nolan’s fan-favoriteInterstellarhas gathered critical acclaim and global appreciation for understandable reasons, namely its highly emotional, gripping storyline.Matthew McConaugheydelivers a tour-de-force as he steps into the shoes of a farmer and ex-NASA pilot who is tasked to pilot a spacecraft along with a team of researchers in order to find a new inhabitable planet for humans.
Hans Zimmer’s superb scorework, in addition to the flawless visuals and believable performances, are big parts ofInterstellar’s appeal. However, its intricate narrative and the way it explores profound themes like love and time (and how love transcends it) make it a memorable entry in the sci-fi category. At its core,Interstellarurges viewers to reflect on their relationships and come to terms with the fact that the clock never stops ticking.
Interstellar
2'2001: A Space Odyssey' (1968)
Director: Stanley Kubrick
2001: A Space Odyssey’s groundbreaking visual effects, as well as its revolutionary cinematic techniques, have set a new standard and paved the way for other films in cinema. However, its narrative is also responsible for its massive appeal. It revolves around the discovery of a mysterious artifact on the Moon. A spacecraft manned by two humans is sent to Jupiter to find its origins.
Stanley Kubrick’sA Space Odysseywas one of the first science fiction films to explore philosophical questions and spark conversations about evolution and artificial intelligence. This almost automatically makes it an essential thought-provoking sci-fi flick for anyone keen on the category. Its bold and ambitious execution, on top of the unforgettable premise, perfectly immerses viewers in its filmmaking and invites them to ponder humanity’s evolving relationship with advanced technology.
2001: A Space Odyssey
1’Stalker' (1979)
WhileSolarisis an excellent film, Tarkovsky’s timelessthe brutalStalkeris arguably even more poignant, especially when it comes to provocative science fiction movies. The dystopian film sees a guide leading two men through an area known as the Zone to find a room that grants wishes.
Loosely based on the novelRoadside PicnicbyArkadyandBoris Strugatsky,this enigmatic sci-fi flick analyzes themes related to human nature and the search for meaning. LikeSolaris, it delves into what it means to find meaning and what we truly seek in life. With astounding sound that fully immerses viewers in the world of the Zone,Stalker’s charm is anchored by its stunning and almost otherworldly (though also realistic) landscapes and visuals, though it also relies heavily on a compelling character-driven narrative and rich existential themes.
