Every genre has its strengths when it comes to storytelling, but for many, science fiction is one of the best because it allows creators to explore the world not only as it is, but also as it could be. What's more, science fiction can be a great avenue for creating or perfecting new effects technology, which is a boon for both the film industry and creative storytelling.
- List of good movies about IT that you can't miss
Moon
Duncan Jones' directorial debut, Moon, is excellent. It's thoughtful and well-acted. Sam Rockwell, in particular, brings charm to multiple versions of the same character. Each of his clones has his own distinct personality, and Rockwell gives a performance that deserves a few nominations.
Moon is a serious look at cloning and its abuse by both corporations and governments. At the same time, it never preaches, instead relying on mood and a persistent sense of existential dread to convey its themes. Moon remains as compelling and wonderful today as it was when it was released in 2009.
Sunshine
Sunshine has a pretty absurd premise: In the future, a group of astronauts are sent on a mission to stop the Sun from dying, which would essentially spell the end of humanity as we know it. But Sunshine takes the premise seriously, and thanks to Alex Garland's brilliant script and Danny Boyle's skillful direction, the film succeeds beyond expectations.
Upgrade
This is one of the better lesser-known movies on Netflix recently. Upgrade has a lot going for it for what is essentially a revenge thriller, because it uses the power of science fiction to ask a lot of interesting questions. What does our humanity mean in a world of mind-altering technology? Will it change our perception of reality? Finally, and more bluntly, what happens when AI takes away our autonomy?
These are the questions Upgrade asks throughout its runtime, as protagonist Grey Trace (Logan Marshall-Green) embarks on a bloody journey through a criminal underworld and irrational fear rife with technology.
Europa Report
Europa Report is a classic example of a film where things just keep going wrong for everyone involved, and you start to wonder where the line is. A sci-fi thriller about a crew discovering life on Europa, one of Jupiter's moons. However, it's not exactly a happy story, as the crew goes through tragedy after tragedy while trying to prove the existence of this life.
Safety Not Guaranteed
Part time-travel sci-fi, part romantic comedy, Safety Not Guaranteed has a lot going for it. It's not a film that focuses solely on the mechanics of time travel or explores hard sci-fi elements. Instead, the uncertainty surrounding the veracity of Kenneth's (Mark Duplass) claim to be a time traveler drives much of the film, not to mention the instant chemistry between him and Darius (Aubrey Plaza).
While Safety Not Guaranteed doesn't add anything particularly new to either genre, it does elevate the film with its acting, writing, and direction from a pre-Jurassic World Colin Trevorrow. Plus, the sweet, emotional plot makes it hard not to love it. You won't feel like you've wasted your time by the end of its short hour and a half runtime.