dystopian backdrop

Movies with dystopian vibe

Terminator Genisys

1. Terminator Genisys

Science Fiction Action Thriller Adventure Time Travel Sci-Fi
6.3
20152h 6min

Overview

The year is 2029. John Connor, leader of the resistance continues the war against the machines. At the Los Angeles offensive, John's fears of the unknown future begin to emerge when TECOM spies reveal a new plot by SkyNet that will attack him from both fronts; past and future, and will ultimately change warfare forever.

Themes

Deception and disguise, Time travel ethics, Human-machine resistance, Sacrifice and protection, Dystopian system control, Causal paradox

Available on

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

Elysium

2. Elysium

Science Fiction Action Drama Thriller Dystopian Sci-Fi
6.6
20131h 49min

Overview

In the year 2159, two classes of people exist: the very wealthy who live on a pristine man-made space station called Elysium, and the rest, who live on an overpopulated, ruined Earth. Secretary Rhodes, a hard line government official, will stop at nothing to enforce anti-immigration laws and preserve the luxurious lifestyle of the citizens of Elysium. That doesn’t stop the people of Earth from trying to get in, by any means they can. When unlucky Max is backed into a corner, he agrees to take on a daunting mission that, if successful, will not only save his life, but could bring equality to these polarized worlds.

Themes

Health inequality through care access, Late stage capitalism, Class inequality under capitalism, Corporate power over governance, Wealth inequality as leverage

Available on

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

Overview

In the year 2044, time travel has not yet been invented but in 30 years it will have been. When the mob wants to get rid of someone, they will send their target into the past where a looper, a hired gun, like Joe is waiting to mop up. Joe is getting rich and life is good until the day the mob decides to close the loop, sending back Joe's future self for assassination.

Themes

Time travel burden, Organized crime pressure, Hired gun tension, Fractured timelines, Protection under threat, Addiction consequences

Available on

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

Overview

Factory worker Doug Quaid takes a virtual mind-trip vacation with the Rekall company, opting for implanted memories of being a spy. When the procedure goes wrong, Quaid becomes a wanted man by the police and joins forces with a rebel fighter to stop the evil Chancellor Cohaagen.

Themes

Deception and loyalty, Memory manipulation, Rebellion against oppression, Territorial inequality, State surveillance and control, Memory technology ethics

Available on

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

The Hunger Games

5. The Hunger Games

Science Fiction Adventure Action Thriller Dystopian Sci-Fi
7.2
20122h 22min

Overview

In a dystopian society where the Capitol forces each district to send two young tributes to fight to the death in a televised spectacle, a girl volunteers to take her sister’s place, setting the stage for a struggle of survival and defiance.

Themes

Survival under scarcity, Oppressive regime, Televised violence, Sponsor influence, Resistance and unrest, Alliance dynamics

Available on

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

The Matrix Reloaded

6. The Matrix Reloaded

Adventure Action Thriller Science Fiction Epic Action
7.2
20032h 18min

Overview

The Resistance builds in numbers as humans are freed from the Matrix and brought to the city of Zion. Neo discovers his superpowers, including the ability to see the code inside the Matrix. With machine sentinels digging to Zion in 72 hours, Neo, Morpheus and Trinity must find the Keymaker to ultimately reach the Source.

Themes

Freedom within simulation, Trust in mentors, Choice under system design, Reality versus illusion, Power of code, Human resilience under threat

Available on

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

Demolition Man

7. Demolition Man

Crime Action Science Fiction Epic Action Dystopian Sci-Fi
6.7
19931h 55min

Overview

In 1996, brash L.A. detective John Spartan and maniac killer Simon Phoenix are both sentenced to decades in a cryogenic prison as punishment for a rescue mission gone wrong. When Phoenix escapes 36 years later to wreak havoc on the future, Spartan is awakened to capture his nemesis the old-fashioned way.

Themes

Social control through enforcement, Nostalgia for past culture, Rehabilitation program manipulation, Immoral behavior policing, Order versus freedom tension, Underground resistance vs authority

Available on

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

Overview

Construction worker Douglas Quaid's obsession with the planet Mars leads him to visit Recall, a company that manufactures memories. When his memory implant goes wrong, Doug can no longer be sure what is and isn't reality.

Themes

Deception and trust, Memory manipulation, Corporate monopoly, False identity, Rebellion and resistance, Air supply control

Available on

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