How many times have you been flicking through Netflix, aimlessly trying to find a movie that ticks all the boxes? And every time, you finish your popcorn before deciding on a movie and then just end up watching another episode of Friends? I'm here to fill you in on 5 Sci-Fi's that I reckon don't get the love they deserve and you can watch right now.
1. Looper - Netflix UK and Amazon Prime
Let's start with me being biased, by admitting that Looper is my favourite stand alone original sci-fi movie ever. It's unique in that it manages to take one of sci-fi's most overused and confusing tropes (time travel), and use's it in a way we haven't seen before - What if the mob were the only ones with time travel technology in the future? Obviously they'd use it to make you "sleep with the fishes", or in this case, send you back 30 years where you'd be met by a Looper; a hitman who's hired by the mob to shotgun you in the chest the second you pop up in the past, meaning you wouldn't even exist. I guess that's one way of making a snitch disappear. This flick also features a knock out performance by Joeseph Gordon Levit, who plays a young Bruce Willis to a T. The producers even went to the extent of using prosthetics to make him look like Willis, it's pretty out there.You can argue that this film isn't underrated, but in my experience, it's most definitely under appreciated.
Starring: Joseph Gordon-Levit, Bruce Willis, Jeffery Daniels, Emily Blunt and Paul Dano
Director: Rian Johnson
Rotten Tomatoes: 93%
2. Strange Days - Now TV
Who doesn't love a dystopian, LA crime, Sci-Fi thriller (what a genre). This is Kathyrn Bigelows most underrated outing as a director and has been criminally overlooked as a piece of sci-fi for 20 years. Former LA cop, Lenny Nero has ditched his badge for the lucrative and illegal trade of virtual reality porn. The VR-Porn is obtained by recording the real life experiences of others, allowing the user to see and feel everything that person did. So this isn't some gimmicky video game stuff, it's fully immersive in every way. Nero happens upon a VR recording of a violent and disturbing death, leading into a vast conspiracy of police brutality in mid-90's LA. The movies real achievement is the characterisation of Mace (Angela Basset), a professional bodyguard and old friend of Nero's. She's fierce, strong and kick-ass. And in my opinion, she's the hidden-heroin of 90's cinema.
Starring: Ralph Fiennes, Angela Basset, Juliet Lewis and Tom Sizemore
Director: Katherine Bigelow
Rotten Tomatoes: 62%
3. Gattaca - Now TV
In the mid-90's, the world was being told that disease and genetic disorders would be a thing of the past. This was due to the hysteria around the Human Genome Project. In Andrew Niccols story, natural conception is frowned upon, instead, would-be parents visit an IVF clinic to choose their babies personality traits, physical abilities and appearance. This method is only open to the rich, so the world is split into two societal groups - Valids and Non-Valids.As a genetically inferior "non-valid", Vincent Freeman dreams of going to space, but such a job can only be fulfilled by a Valid. To ensure his place in space, he assumes the identity of an injured Valid and enters the Gattaca space programme.
The premise of this movie alone is enough to keep you watching, but it's the grounded future-world written and directed by Niccols that really keeps you gripped. You follow Vincent's every step and feel his constant anxiety of being found out.
Starring: Ethan Hawke, Jude Law and Uma Thurman
Director: Andrew Niccol
Rotten Tomatoes: 82%
4. Moon - Now TV
Lets begin by saying how Sam Rockwell is one of THE most overlooked and underrated actors of his generation - and Moon proves this point. It's hard to really talk about Moon in all it's eerie glory without spoiling it. So I'll keep it light. Sam Bell is the sole engineer serving a 3 year stint on the lunar base and his service is due to end. As his time to leave gets closer, he begins to become suspiciously sick and to add to this, a new crew member appears unexpectedly. Taking inspiration from Kubrick's human/A.I relationship, Moon is a slow burning and tense, existential Sci-Fi with revelations to-boot.
Starring: Sam Rockwell
Director: Duncan Jones
Rotten Tomatoes: 89%
5. They Live - Amazon Prime
A sign of any great sci-fi is if you can watch a generation later and it still has something to say about the time you live in. They Live is a John Carpenter movie that often gets overlooked when discussing his best works (top 5 at least). The premise is simple, a homeless, working man stumbles upon a box of sunglasses that when worn, reveals the world around us to be an illusion which is run by a ruling alien class. The films sub-context is hidden in plain view and this is what makes it such a fun watch. The dialogue is purposely cheesy and the acting ability of pro-wrestler, Roddy Piper compliments the b-movie vibe that makes this such an enjoyable Sci-Fi action flick.
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Starring: Roddy Piper, Keith David
Director: John Carpenter
Rotten Tomatoes: 83%
What have I missed, that's underrated and on a streaming service right now? I'd love to know!
Dan x
