As one of the most expansive genres in cinema, sci-fi offers limitless opportunities to craft new worlds, characters, and narratives.
Published Aug 27, 2024 | 6:30 PM ⚊ Updated Aug 30, 2024 | 6:30 PM
A collage of stills from 'Kalki 2898 AD', 'Maanaadu', '24', 'Dasavatharam', 'Mr India', and 'Koi... Mil Gaya'. (Facebook)
Nag Ashwin’s highly anticipated Kalki 2898 AD hit theatres on 27 June, receiving praise from all quarters, for its expansive world-building that blends Indian mythology with futuristic elements.
The film features standout performances from Amitabh Bachchan, Prabhas, Deepika Padukone, and Kamal Haasan. Set in the dystopian city of Kasi, the film spans 6,000 years and was recently released on OTT.
Few sci-fi franchises are complete without a lovable AI robot. In Kalki 2898 AD, Keerthy Suresh voices Bujji, the AI supercar helping Prabhas’s character, Bhairava, on his journey.
The makers hinted at a Kalki Cinematic Universe (KCU), with the film ending on the note, “to be continued” setting the stage for a sequel.
Science Fiction isn’t really about the future; it’s always a reflection of ourselves. As one of the most expansive genres in cinema, it offers limitless opportunities to craft new worlds, characters, and narratives. However, this creative freedom, while empowering, can become challenging if storytellers go beyond what their plots truly require.
On that note, let’s revisit many must-watch sci-fi titles, in no specific order.
Directed by Fritz Lang, this 1927 classic stands as one of the greatest genre films ever made. It transcended the filmmaking of its time and foreshadowed many industry trends that are now common.
While its silent format may not appeal to everyone, as the first feature-length science fiction film, it remains essential viewing for anyone interested in the evolution of sci-fi cinema.
Metropolis, based on Thea von Harbou’s 1925 novel of the same name, offers a thrilling viewing experience and continues to inspire future filmmakers.
‘Alien’ poster. (X)
This 1979 sci-fi horror film is a visual masterpiece. It challenges modern cinema’s reliance on CGI with impressive miniatures and stunning matte paintings.
The film cemented Ridley Scott’s reputation as a powerhouse director, ensuring audiences decades of incredible sci-fi storytelling and filmmaking.
The success of Alien led to a media franchise of films, books, video games, and toys, while also propelling Sigourney Weaver’s acting career.
Among numerous influential sci-fi films, few have left as profound a mark on future generations as Andrei Tarkovsky’s Stalker. The 1979 contemplative art house epic diverges from conventional sci-fi expectations.
Its depth invites multiple viewings to fully comprehend the filmmaker’s intentions. Initially deemed slow-paced, it received mixed reviews upon release.
While Stalker may not resonate with everyone, for those it does, its lasting impact is profound and unforgettable.
Directed by John Carpenter and based on John W Campbell Jr’s 1938 novel, “Who Goes There”, the 1982 film follows a group of American researchers in Antarctica who encounter an alien creature capable of assimilating and imitating other organisms.
The ensemble cast, including Richard Masur, Kurt Russell, Keith David, Donald Moffat, Richard Dysart, and Charles Hallahan, delivers uniformly excellent performances.
Each actor crafts a convincing and authentic character, facing the distinctive challenges presented by the alien threat in their way.
Released in the United States in 1993, the film, marked a milestone in cinema by being the first one to blend CGI technology with animatronic figures in live-action scenes seamlessly.
Jurassic Park earned more than $914 million globally during its initial theatrical release, making it the highest-grossing film of its time.
Spielberg’s knack for keeping audiences on the edge of their seats is apparent throughout his extensive and diverse film career, and this one, is no exception, offering its own gripping and suspenseful moments.
On the sets of ‘Mr India’. (X)
This 1987 Hindi adventure comedy film starring Anil Kapoor, Sridevi, and Amrish Puri, is celebrated as a cult classic and is included in the “100 Greatest Indian Films of All Time”.
The story revolves around Arun Verma, a compassionate and straightforward man who inherits a device granting him invisibility. Tasked with using this gadget for noble purposes, he protects the underprivileged, defends the innocent, and safeguards the nation from adversaries.
Directed by Shekhar Kapur, Mr India marked a significant milestone in Hindi cinema, serving as a breakthrough for both its director and cast members.
It pioneered the superhero genre in Indian cinema, a rarity at the time, and inspired several subsequent films in the genre in later years.
This 1999 sci-fi action film, written and directed by the Wachowskis, poses a fundamental question that plunges computer hacker Neo into a journey revealing a staggering truth about his familiar world.
Starring Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, and Carrie-Anne Moss, the film depicts a dystopian future where humans unknowingly live in the Matrix, a simulated reality created by intelligent machines.
These machines use humans as an energy source, keeping their minds engaged within the artificial construct.
The 2003 film ventures into unconventional territory in Bollywood—a science fiction story where the protagonist isn’t a physically formidable superhero or a genius. Instead, we encounter Rohit, a mentally challenged adult who befriends Jadoo, an extraterrestrial being.
The film, directed by Rakesh Roshan, also stars Preity Zinta, Rekha, Prem Chopra, and Johnny Lever. The makers aimed to create a children’s movie that would entertain both kids and their families.
The success of Koi… Mil Gaya led to a superhero franchise that began with Krrish in 2006, followed by Krrish 3 in 2013.
The 2006 film, adapted from PD James’ dystopian novel, is set in 2027 London, where humanity has lost the ability to reproduce amidst pandemic, terrorism, and global conflict.
Directed and written by Alfonso Cuarón, the film stars Clive Owen, Julianne Moore, Michael Caine, and others. It features extended single-shot sequences capturing complex actions, exploring themes of hope and faith in a world overshadowed by despair and futility.
A still from ‘Enthiran’. (X)
Known as India’s most expensive film, this project reunited the team behind Sivaji: The Boss (2007)—Shankar, Rajinikanth, and AR Rahman.
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan’s presence added to the excitement. Shankar, departing from his usual theme of corruption, ventured into scientific fiction for the first time, in this 2010 release.
The film explores a unique love triangle involving a man, a woman, and an intelligent machine.
Enthiran revolves around a humanoid robot initially programmed to serve humans, but as it develops intelligence and emotions, it challenges its creator, defying expected norms. The movie seamlessly blends Indian storytelling with cutting-edge Hollywood technical expertise.
Duncan Jones’s Moon is a conceptually intriguing exploration of identity, offering a gripping science fiction narrative that delves into what it means to be fully human and alive.
The film, with its compelling graphic design and special visual effects, appeals to upscale science fiction enthusiasts while remaining accessible to mainstream audiences.
Released in 2009, it has received numerous film critic and festival awards, was nominated for the BAFTA Award for Best British Film, and won the Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation in 2010.
Released in 2011, this film directed by Anubhav Sinha marked Shah Rukh Khan’s debut as a superhero. Despite high expectations, it received poor reviews and failed to perform well at the box office.
Alongside Kareena Kapoor Khan and Arjun Rampal, the film was praised for its VFX and certain action sequences but criticised for its weak storyline.
The music by Vishal-Shekhar, especially the track “Chammak Challo” sung by international artist Akon, became a popular chartbuster.
The 2010 film presents one of the most original ideas in recent years. Writer-director Christopher Nolan uses a sci-fi concept that lets characters navigate and manipulate multiple layers of reality.
Essentially a con-game film set entirely within the characters’ dreams, Inception introduces a novel form of corporate espionage where thieves infiltrate dreams to steal ideas.
This process involves a team of “extractors” who design dreamscapes, create identities within them, and use drugs to enable shared dreaming.
What likely makes this complex film compelling is its cast. DiCaprio delivers a performance that is both subdued and intense, even amid the surrounding chaos.
‘Gravity’ poster. (X)
The 2013 film is a potent blend of heartfelt human drama and breathtaking spectacle. Alfonso Cuarón delivers a movie that is emotionally sincere and intensely action-packed.
Gravity is both terrifying and triumphant. Yet, these words seem insufficient compared to the majestic backdrop of space and Cuarón’s masterful storytelling. This one, starring Sandra Bullock and George Clooney captivates us relentlessly, keeping us engaged throughout every moment.
Joseph Kosinski’s Oblivion is visually stunning, caught between its poetic romanticism and the demands of heavy sci-fi action.
The film begins with intriguing mystery and ambition but gradually loses momentum, leaving an impression of a valiant effort that falls short.
While its futuristic visuals and battle scenes may appeal to sci-fi fans, the presence of three significant female characters and a strong performance by Tom Cruise might attract a broader audience. Despite this, the film’s global reception is solid but not exceptional.
One of Christopher Nolan’s acclaimed films, Interstellar features Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway, and Jessica Chastain. It earned $731 million worldwide and received five Oscar nominations.
Set in a future where Earth is becoming uninhabitable, the plot follows former NASA pilot Cooper (Matthew McConaughey) and a team of researchers travelling through a wormhole to find a new planet for humanity.
This visually stunning movie delves into themes of space exploration, humanism, solitude, and love, blending science fiction, family drama, space adventure, and scientific speculation.
Directed by Vikram Kumar, this 2016 sci-fi, starred Suriya in a triple role, marking Tamil cinema’s first time-travel film. Despite not achieving significant box office success, it captivated critics and audiences of all ages.
Following the film’s release, Vikram Kumar hinted at a prequel focused on Suriya’s character Aathreya. In 24, it’s revealed the brothers were born three minutes apart, yet the story didn’t fully explore their characters, a gap Vikram plans to address in the prequel.
‘Passengers’ poster. (X)
The 2016 American science-fiction romance film directed by Morten Tyldum; starring Jennifer Lawrence and Chris Pratt, tells the story of two passengers on an interstellar spacecraft destined for a colony 120 years away from Earth. They awaken 90 years early from their induced hibernation.
What initially appears as another sci-fi movie unfolds as one of the year’s rare romantic dramas, set against the backdrop of a spaceship. The film owes much of its impact to Jennifer Lawrence and Chris Pratt, who bring tangible emotion to their roles.
Directed by Denis Villeneuve, Arrival is based on Ted Chiang’s award-winning novella Story of Your Life, published in 1998, nearly two decades ago, showing that its core themes were in development long before this year.
The 2016 film, featuring Amy Adams, Jeremy Renner, and Forest Whitaker delves into profound truths about language, imagination, and human relationships rather than focusing on any specific political moment.
Moreover, Arrival stands as one of the year’s best films—a moving, gripping story with surprising twists and striking imagery, deserving recognition as a serious work of art.
Rogue One, directed by Gareth Edwards, carries a clear theme: In wars, people die. In the battle between freedom and tyranny, many lives are lost.
The good side grapples with moral dilemmas, while those on the evil side, even if just following orders, still meet their fate.
Released in 2016, the film earned positive reviews for its acting, story, visuals, score, cinematography, and darker tone compared to previous Star Wars films.
However, it faced criticism for its pacing, character development, and the digital recreations of Grand Moff Tarkin and Princess Leia. The film received two Academy Award nominations for Best Sound Mixing and Best Visual Effects.
Advanced robotics will either save or destroy humanity, depending on which shady adversary you trust in I Am Mother, a woman-vs-machine showdown.
Australian commercials director Grant Sputore makes an ambitious feature debut, showcasing impressive design, sharp visual effects, a remarkable AI creation, and a strong lead performance by talented Danish newcomer Clara Rugaard.
However, in 2019 the film’s familiar themes of humanity’s self-destruction, slow pacing, and lack of emotional depth place it on the fringe of the art sci-fi genre.
‘Ayalaan’ poster. (X)
The 2024 Tamil film stars Sivakarthikeyan as a farmer who looks after all living beings, including pests. Scientists seek a rare, powerful element when an alien arrives on Earth. Sivakarthikeyan and his friends must thwart the scientists’ sinister plans that could destroy the planet.
Directed by Ravikumar, the film also features Yogi Babu, Karunakaran, Isha Kopikkar, and Rakul Preet Singh. Siddharth voices the alien, and Sivakarthikeyan previously dubbed Siddharth in the Tamil version of Oh My Friend (2011).
Ayalaan boasts over 4,000 CGI shots, the highest number for an Indian film. The film includes music by AR Rahman, cinematography by Nirav Shah, editing by Ruben, and stunts by Anbariv.
Tom and Gemma (Jesse Eisenberg and Imogen Poots) are searching for the perfect home.
A strange real estate agent leads them to Yonder, a mysterious suburban neighbourhood with identical houses. Eager to leave, they find every attempt to exit the maze-like development only brings them back to the beginning.
Their quest for a dream home quickly turns into a horrifying nightmare.
Directed by Lorcan Finnegan, the 2019 sci-fi psychological thriller Vivarium may be as perplexing as it is captivating, but it offers intriguing ideas and explores them with style.
The Old Guard represents a confident shift for Gina Prince-Bythewood from the intimate romantic dramas of Love & Basketball and Beyond the Lights.
This gripping graphic novel adaptation stands out for trusting the audience to stay engaged through quiet, character-driven moments interspersed with varied and thrilling fight scenes, leading to a masterfully choreographed climax.
The 2020 film follows a covert team of immortal mercenaries who, after being exposed, must fight to protect their secret while dealing with the emergence of an unexpected new member. The film stars Charlize Theron, KiKi Layne, and Matthias Schoenaerts.
Steven Spielberg’s 2022 film is a gripping film-noir thriller set in a world of labour-saving devices and McLuhan-esque technology. It offers a thought-provoking exploration of how far society is willing to go to ensure safety.
In one of his most engaging films, Spielberg builds on the darker, more unsettling fictional terrain he explored in Artificial Intelligence. Despite a somewhat happy ending, Minority Report presents a troubling form of speculative fiction, rich with complex themes that may require multiple viewings, potentially driving strong box-office returns.
The film features several impressive set pieces that few filmmakers could achieve. Notably, there’s an exhilarating chase between Cruise and his elite police force, spanning gritty inner-city streets and culminating in a high-stakes robotics car factory.
‘Maanaadu’ poster. (X)
Silambarasan stars as Abdul Khaliq, who arrives in Ooty from Dubai for a wedding. His plan to kidnap the bride (with her consent) and marry her off to his friend goes awry when a minor accident leads to their arrest.
SJ Suryah plays Dhanushkodi, a top cop plotting to assassinate the state’s chief minister with his aide. Khaliq becomes entangled in this political conspiracy and discovers he’s trapped in a time loop. To escape, he must prevent the assassination, but Dhanushkodi is determined to thwart his efforts.
This creates a tense battle of wits between Khaliq and Dhanushkodi as they both strive to outsmart each other and break free from the loop.
Adapting a time-loop concept for mass appeal is challenging, but Venkat Prabhu succeeds brilliantly.
Doug Liman’s 2014 film presents a familiar alien invasion apocalypse drama in a way that, through repetition, allows humanity to learn from its mistakes and have a chance at survival until the next alien threat.
While the characters may recover to fight another day, viewers may experience battle fatigue as the film repeatedly cycles through the same scenarios.
Starring Tom Cruise, Emily Blunt, Brendan Gleeson, and Bill Paxton, the movie, based on Hiroshi Sakurazaka’s 2004 novel, features a clever script by Christopher McQuarrie and Jez and John-Henry Butterworth.
It not only explores time manipulation and technological enhancements but also adopts a relatively playful approach to familiar battle tropes.
Directed by Ravikumar and starring Vishnu Vishal, Indru Netru Naalai stands out for its engaging storytelling and humour.
The 2015 film revolves around a time machine from the future that falls into the hands of two men in the present, who must journey to the past to secure their present-day existence.
With a well-crafted screenplay and skilful execution, the film integrates its time-travel elements into a coherent and intriguing narrative, culminating in a satisfying ending.
The 2008 magnum opus, directed by KS Ravikumar and starring Kamal Haasan in ten roles, is a riveting 165-minute sc-0fi thriller that offers a unique and spectacular viewing experience. Kamal Haasan shines not only as an actor but also as a story and scriptwriter, showcasing an exceptional ability to blend intelligence with commercial appeal.
The script is remarkable for its thought-provoking sequences that engage both intellectuals and general audiences. This may be Kamal Haasan’s finest script to date, featuring a writer who, as an atheist, challenges the existence of God.
While it’s hard to pinpoint the best sequence, the Tsunami scene stands out for its top-notch visuals and superb background effort. Kamal Haasan’s performance is unparalleled, as few actors would dare to take on such diverse roles.
(Edited by Y Krishna Jyothi)
