Simulation & Reality-Shift Sci-Fi backdrop

Simulation & Reality-Shift Sci-Fi movies

Reality is questionable: virtual worlds, perception hacks, and reveals that reframe what is real.

Fingernails

1. Fingernails

Romance Science Fiction Drama Passionate Romance Relationship Drama
5.8
20231h 53min

Overview

Anna and Ryan have found true love together. It's been proven by a controversial test. There's just one problem: Anna still isn't sure. Then she meets Amir.

Themes

"movie: fingernails. genres: romance, Science fiction, Drama, Romance, Science fiction, Drama main themes: love triangle, Romance, Scientific experiment, Love triangle, Romance, Scientific experiment full keywords list: love triangle, Romance, Scientific experiment. concept analysis: the film explores the complexities of love and the impact of societal pressures on personal relationships. it raises questions about the validity of love as measured by external tests and the emotional consequences of such evaluations."

Available on

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

Overview

A detective becomes entangled in a mystery involving his missing daughter and a secret government program while investigating a string of reality-bending crimes.

Themes

"movie: hypnotic. genres: mystery, Science fiction, Thriller, Mystery, Science fiction, Thriller main themes: detective, Heist, Hypnotism, Detective, Heist, Hypnotism full keywords list: detective, Heist, Hypnotism, Missing daughter, Illusionist, Secret government project. concept analysis: the film explores the manipulation of memory and identity, Questioning the nature of reality and the lengths one will go to protect loved ones. it delves into themes of control, Both personal and societal, As characters navigate a world where their perceptions are constantly challenged."

Available on

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

Bubble

3. Bubble

Animation Adventure Science Fiction Fantasy Anime
6.4
20221h 41min

Overview

In an abandoned Tokyo overrun by bubbles and gravitational abnormalities, one gifted young man has a fateful meeting with a mysterious girl.

Themes

Adolescence under pressure, Romance amid disaster, Resilience in ruined city, Gravity as constraint, Uncertain future, Collaboration in crisis

Available on

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

The In Between

4. The In Between

Romance Science Fiction Drama Bittersweet Romance Tragic Drama
5.9
20221h 56min

Overview

After surviving a car accident that took the life of her boyfriend, a teenage girl believes he's attempting to reconnect with her from the after world.

Themes

"movie: the in between. genres: romance, Science fiction, Drama, Romance, Science fiction, Drama main themes: afterlife, Communicating with the dead, Afterlife, Communicating with the dead full keywords list: afterlife, Communicating with the dead. concept analysis: the film explores the profound impact of love and loss, Illustrating how connections can transcend even death. it delves into the struggle for self-identity and emotional expression amidst grief, Highlighting the importance of closure and the enduring nature of love."

Available on

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

The Matrix Resurrections

5. The Matrix Resurrections

Science Fiction Action Adventure Simulation & Reality-Shift Sci-Fi Epic Action
5.6
20212h 27min

Overview

Plagued by strange memories, Neo's life takes an unexpected turn when he finds himself back inside the Matrix.

Themes

"movie: the matrix resurrections. genres: science fiction, Action, Adventure, Science fiction, Action, Adventure main themes: future, Man vs machine, Underground world, Future, Man vs machine, Underground world full keywords list: future, Man vs machine, Underground world, Artificial intelligence (a.i.), Computer, Virtual reality, Prophecy, Dystopia, Cyberpunk, Aftercreditsstinger, Dream world, Philosophical, Gnosticism, Grand, Romantic, Sincere. concept analysis: the film explores how systems of power weaponize perception, Emotion, And nostalgia to keep people compliant, Questioning whether reality is defined by external structures or by chosen belief. at its core, It reframes the matrix saga as a story about the radical, Destabilizing potential of love and self-recognition to break cycles of control and rewrite the rules of a constructed world."

Available on

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

Overview

Evan McCauley has skills he never learned and memories of places he has never visited. Self-medicated and on the brink of a mental breakdown, a secret group that call themselves “Infinites” come to his rescue, revealing that his memories are real.

Themes

"movie: infinite. genres: science fiction, Action, Adventure, Science fiction, Action, Adventure main themes: based on novel or book, Secret organization, Reincarnation, Based on novel or book, Secret organization, Reincarnation full keywords list: based on novel or book, Secret organization, Reincarnation, Memories, Matter of fact, Straightforward. concept analysis: the film explores the themes of reincarnation and the struggle between creation and destruction, As characters navigate their past lives to influence the present. it raises questions about identity, Memory, And the moral implications of wielding power over life and death."

Available on

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

Overview

A bank teller discovers he is actually a background player in an open-world video game, and decides to become the hero of his own story. Now, in a world where there are no limits, he is determined to be the guy who saves his world his way before it's too late.

Themes

Deception and alliance, Collaboration under pressure, Ai ethics in games, Agency in virtual worlds, Ownership of code, Identity and programming

Available on

Disney Plus
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.

Overview

Looking for an escape from her recurring nightmares, 18-year-old Sarah submits to a university sleep study, but soon realizes she's become the conduit to a frightening new discovery.

Themes

Sleep study ethics, Shadow figure motif, Dream monitoring, Eye gouging, Sleep paralysis, Shadow people

Available on

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

In the Shadow of the Moon

10. In the Shadow of the Moon

Science Fiction Thriller Investigation Suspense Simulation & Reality-Shift Sci-Fi
6.2
20191h 55min

Overview

In 1988, Philadelphia police officer Thomas "Locke" Lockhart, hungry to become a detective, begins tracking a serial killer whose crimes defy scientific explanation. When the killer mysteriously resurfaces nine years later, Locke's obsession with finding the truth threatens to destroy his career, his family, and possibly his sanity.

Themes

Duty under scrutiny, Time travel paradox, Science vs belief, Identity across timelines, Extremist violence impact, Obsession vs family

Available on

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