dystopian backdrop

Movies with dystopian vibe

Overview

An orphaned teen hits the road with a mysterious robot to find her long-lost brother, teaming up with a smuggler and his wisecracking sidekick.

Themes

"movie: the electric state. genres: science fiction, Adventure, Action, Science fiction, Adventure, Action main themes: man vs machine, Artificial intelligence (a.i.), Based on novel or book, Man vs machine, Artificial intelligence (a.i.), Based on novel or book full keywords list: man vs machine, Artificial intelligence (a.i.), Based on novel or book, Technology, Dystopia, Robot, 1990s, Young, Missing brother, Comedy, Joyful. concept analysis: the film interrogates the ethical cost of outsourcing human consciousness to technology and the commodification of minds for corporate and military power. it frames autonomy and mourning as intertwined choices—freedom of the self can require the painful sacrifice of bodily life when institutions treat people as resources rather than persons."

Available on

Netflix
Netflix Standard with Ads
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

I Saw the TV Glow

2. I Saw the TV Glow

Drama Horror Coming-of-Age Drama Psychological Horror
5.8
20241h 40min

Overview

Teenager Owen is just trying to make it through life in the suburbs when his classmate Maddy introduces him to a mysterious TV show — a vision of a supernatural world beneath their own. In the pale glow of the television, Owen’s view of reality begins to crack.

Themes

"movie: i saw the tv glow. genres: drama, Horror, Drama, Horror main themes: high school, Friendship, Loss of sense of reality, High school, Friendship, Loss of sense of reality full keywords list: high school, Friendship, Loss of sense of reality, Sexuality, Identity, Obsession, Surrealism, Asthma, Sleepover, Nostalgia, Buried alive, Suburbia, Coming of age, Loneliness, Arcade, Vhs, Tv show in film, Guilt, Lgbt, Lgbt teen, Nostalgic, Planetarium, Running away, Gender dysphoria, Existentialism, Hopeless, 1990s, Repression, Escapism, Subconscious, 2000s, 2010s, Gay theme, Queer horror, Movie theater, Bar, Independent film, Body horror, Intimate, Teenager, Liminal space, Nonbinary director, Hopeful. concept analysis: the film explores the themes of escapism and the impact of unresolved grief on identity. it delves into the blurred lines between reality and fiction, Questioning the nature of existence and the lengths one might go to escape their pain."

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
HBO Max
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

The Beast

3. The Beast

Science Fiction Drama Romance Bio-Genetic Sci-Fi Relationship Drama
6.5
20242h 26min

Overview

In the near future where emotions have become a threat, Gabrielle finally decides to purify her DNA in a machine that will immerse her in her past lives and rid her of any strong feelings. She then meets Louis and feels a powerful connection, as if she had known him forever.

Themes

Trauma and resilience, Tradition vs change, Emotions as threat, Misogyny and gender dynamics, Parental duality, Family secrecy and legacy

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Overview

Henrietta and Junior farm a secluded piece of land that has been in Junior's family for generations, but their quiet life is thrown into turmoil when an uninvited stranger shows up at their door with a startling proposal. Will they risk their relationship & personal identity for a chance to survive in a new world?

Themes

"movie: foe. genres: science fiction, Drama, Science fiction, Drama main themes: based on novel or book, Married couple, Climate change, Based on novel or book, Married couple, Climate change full keywords list: based on novel or book, Married couple, Climate change, 2060s, Disheartening, Familiar, Foreboding. concept analysis: the film explores the complexities of identity and the impact of technology on human relationships. it raises questions about authenticity, Love, And the ethical implications of creating duplicates to fulfill emotional needs."

Available on

Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Video
Apple TV
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

White Noise

5. White Noise

Comedy Drama Satire Psychological Drama
5.7
20222h 16min

Overview

Jack Gladney, professor of Hitler studies at The-College-on-the-Hill, husband to Babette, and father to four children/stepchildren, is torn asunder by a chemical spill from a rail car that releases an "Airborne Toxic Event" forcing Jack to confront his biggest fear - his own mortality.

Themes

"movie: white noise. genres: comedy, Drama, Comedy, Drama main themes: based on novel or book, Natural disaster, New hampshire, Based on novel or book, Natural disaster, New hampshire full keywords list: based on novel or book, Natural disaster, New hampshire, Dysfunctional family, Toxic waste, Airborne attack, Dartmouth. concept analysis: the film explores the pervasive fear of death and the lengths individuals go to confront their mortality. it critiques modern society's obsession with technology and pharmaceuticals as means to escape existential anxieties."

Available on

Netflix
Netflix Standard with Ads
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Crimes of the Future

6. Crimes of the Future

Science Fiction Horror Body Horror Bio-Genetic Sci-Fi
5.8
20221h 47min

Overview

With his partner, a celebrity performance artist publicly showcases the metamorphosis of his organs in avant-garde performances. An investigator from the National Organ Registry obsessively tracks their movements, which is when a mysterious group is revealed... Their mission — to use the artist's notoriety to shed light on the next phase of human evolution.

Themes

"movie: crimes of the future. genres: science fiction, Horror, Science fiction, Horror main themes: human evolution, Detective, Dystopia, Human evolution, Detective, Dystopia full keywords list: human evolution, Detective, Dystopia, Murder, Performance art, Transhumanism, Evolution, Surgery, Shipyard, Body horror, Organ trafficking, Biotech company. concept analysis: the film explores the ethical implications of human evolution and the intersection of art, Desire, And bodily autonomy. it raises questions about identity and the consequences of technological advancement on the human experience."

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Voyagers

7. Voyagers

Science Fiction Thriller Space Sci-Fi Survival Thriller
5.5
20211h 48min

Overview

With the future of the human race at stake, a group of young men and women -- bred for intelligence and obedience -- embark on an expedition to colonize a distant planet. When they uncover disturbing secrets about the mission, they defy their training and begin to explore their most primitive natures. As life on the ship descends into chaos, they soon become consumed by fear, lust and an insatiable hunger for power.

Themes

"movie: voyagers. genres: science fiction, Thriller, Science fiction, Thriller main themes: space travel, Sexual tension, Space, Space travel, Sexual tension, Space full keywords list: space travel, Sexual tension, Space, Sexual behavior. concept analysis: the film explores the struggle for autonomy and the consequences of suppressing human instincts in the face of authority. it raises questions about the ethical implications of genetic engineering and the nature of power dynamics within a confined society."

Available on

Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Video
Apple TV
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Overview

A mind-bending love story following Greg who, after recently being divorced and then fired, meets the mysterious Isabel, a woman living on the streets and convinced that the polluted, broken world around them is just a computer simulation. Doubtful at first, Greg eventually discovers there may be some truth to Isabel’s wild conspiracy.

Themes

"movie: bliss. genres: science fiction, Romance, Drama, Science fiction, Romance, Drama main themes: necklace, Simulation, Roller-skating, Necklace, Simulation, Roller-skating full keywords list: necklace, Simulation, Roller-skating, Film in film, High school graduation, Falling in love, Divorce, Anger, Fired from the job, Observatory, Divorced man, Carefree, Daydreaming, Philosophical, Office job, Father daughter relationship, Brother sister relationship, Homeless woman, Bar, Pretentious. concept analysis: the film explores the nature of reality and the impact of technology on human perception, Questioning what is truly real. it delves into themes of isolation, Love, And the struggle between illusion and truth."

Available on

Amazon Prime Video
Amazon Video
Apple TV
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Outside the Wire

9. Outside the Wire

Thriller Action Science Fiction Military Action Political Thriller
5.4
20211h 56min

Overview

In the near future, a drone pilot is sent into a deadly militarized zone and must work with an android officer to locate a doomsday device.

Themes

"movie: outside the wire. genres: thriller, Action, Science fiction, Thriller, Action, Science fiction main themes: android, Cyborg, Killer robot, Android, Cyborg, Killer robot full keywords list: android, Cyborg, Killer robot, Pilot, Nuclear missile, Near future, 2030s, War. concept analysis: the film explores the ethical implications of advanced technology in warfare, Particularly the dehumanization of soldiers through automation. it raises questions about the morality of decisions made by artificial intelligence and the consequences of removing humanity from combat."

Available on

Netflix
Netflix Standard with Ads
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.

Possessor

10. Possessor

Horror Thriller Science Fiction Psychological Horror AI Sci-Fi
6.5
20201h 43min

Overview

Tasya Vos, an elite corporate assassin, uses brain-implant technology to take control of other people’s bodies to terminate high profile targets. As she sinks deeper into her latest assignment, Vos becomes trapped inside a mind that threatens to obliterate her.

Themes

Family ties vs professional duty, Identity fragmentation under pressure, Corporate control via mind-implant, Self-division under role-play, Ethics of host manipulation, Attachments vs duty

Available on

Amazon Video
Apple TV
Google Play Movies
Data provided by JustWatch.Availability may vary by region.