Introduction Released in 2016, The Shallows is a survival thriller directed by Jaume Collet-Serra and featuring Blake Lively in one of the most physically demanding and emotionally layered performances of her career. Almost the entire film unfolds on a solitary stretch of beach and the waters that cradle it, stripping the survival narrative to its […]
Introduction Released in 2020 as a centerpiece of Amazon Studios’ “Welcome to the Blumhouse” initiative, Emmanuel Osei-Kuffour Jr.’s Black Box serves as a judicious fusion of science fiction and psychological horror. The feature-length debut investigates the interplay between loss, the plasticity of memory, and the ethical ramifications of emerging neurotechnologies. With its measured pacing, the
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
