Synopsis “Voyagers,” released in 2021, is a science-fiction thriller directed by Neil Burger, who previously delivered tension-driven dramas in “Limitless” and “Divergent.” Set in a plausibly near-future timeframe, the narrative interrogates the psychological and moral consequences of devoting an entire generation to an interstellar missive—only to abandon the constraints of a regimented upbringing the moment […]
The Midnight Sky is a post-apocalyptic science fiction film that came out in 2020, starring and directed by George Clooney. It is based on the 2016 novel Good Morning, Midnight written by Lily Brooks-Dalton. The plot is a survival thriller and explores the themes of deep regret and hope in the midst of contemplating the
Film Shorthand and Context Released in 2019, IO is a sci-fi drama film with a meditative, minimalist tone. Directed by Jonathan Helpert and starring Margaret Qualley and Anthony Mackie, the film focuses on a post-apocalyptic world where emotional depth is more salient than action. Different from many other dystopian films, IO revolves not around the
Overview & Context “Synchronic” is an American scientific thriller exploring the intersection of time, death, and the intricacies of human emotion. Justin Benson and Aaron Moorhead, the film’s directors, integrate science fiction with elements of horror and an existential psychological drama. As fans of the genre, the sophisticated duo remains true to their cinematic roots
Introduction In 2019, Ang Lee directed Will Smith in dual roles for the science fiction action thriller, Gemini Man. The movie features the story of a government assassin who is hunted down by a younger version of himself. In addition to exploring the themes of morality, legacy, and self-confrontation, the movie serves as an experiment
Introduction Cloverfield is a found-footage science fiction thriller that came out in 2008. The film was directed by Mattt Reeves and produced by J.J. Abrams. Drew Goddard wrote the script. The film is unique because it uses the classic monster-movie story and combines it with a first-person, handheld camera style. It allows the audience to
Synopsis Frant Gwo directed and released “The Wandering Earth” in 2019, making it one of the first Chinese science fiction movies to hit the big screens, and it was an absolute blockbuster. Liu Cixin, the author of the Three-Body Problem, Novelle “The Wandering Earth” and winner of the hugo award, brought it to life. Many
Synopsis “Knowing” is a science fiction thriller released in 2009 and directed by Alex Proyas, who is famous for visually ambitious films such as The Crow, and Dark City. The film features Nicolas Cage and interweaves mystery, apocalyptic drama, and speculative science fiction while addressing underlying issues such as determinism, fate, and the frailty of
Introduction Lucy is a science-fiction action film released in 2014 that was both directed and written by Luc Besson. He is known for his stylistic and often philosophical genre works like Léon: The Professional, The Fifth Element, and La Femme Nikita. The film stars Scarlett Johansson in the title role, with Morgan Freeman portraying a
Introduction & Overview I.S.S. is an American science fiction thriller movie that was released in 2023. It was directed by Gabriela Cowperthwaite and written by Nick Shafir. The movie’s plot is set aboard the International Space Station during a period of global conflict. American and Russian astronauts have a history of working together, but what
