Dystopian movies often play on shared paranoia of the future shedding light on the grim reality of the human race. These movies tap into our deepest fears and anxieties, presenting hauntingly familiar landscapes where authoritarian regimes reign, technology spirals out of control, and humanity faces existential threats. As the world teeters on the brink of uncertainty, dystopian movies offer thought-provoking insights into the consequences of our actions. Here are seven movies that bring to screen an eerie plausible not-so-distant reality.
7 dystopian movies with impressive VFX effects, power-packed performances and mind-numbing storylines that are terrifyingly close to reality; available on Prime Video, Disney+ Hotstar, and more
1. Children of Men – Amazon Prime Video
This dystopian action thriller is set in the year 2027 (just three years away) against a backdrop of societal collapse due to global infertility caused by an influenza pandemic, with no child having been born for 18 years. The story follows Theo Faron, a former activist who becomes embroiled in a dangerous mission to protect a pregnant woman named Kee. Along the way, they encounter various obstacles, including government forces, insurgent groups, and the harsh realities of a society teetering on the edge of oblivion. It sheds light on issues such as immigration, terrorism, and political oppression.
2. V for Vendetta – Amazon Prime Video
Set in a totalitarian future in Britain under the control of a fascist regime, the story follows a mysterious masked vigilante known only as V. He employs elaborate theatrics and acts of terrorism to overthrow the government and unite the oppressed citizens. He forms an unlikely alliance with Evey Hammond, a young woman who becomes entangled in his plans after he rescues her from the police. Government propaganda, surveillance, and lack of freedom are being experienced by many countries across the globe, though not as scary as they show in the movie. The atmosphere of the movie is so hauntingly real that at one point you wonder if it’s a true story.
3. Wall-E – Disney+ Hotstar
The movie opens in a distant future where Earth has become uninhabitable due to excessive pollution and waste, forcing humanity to evacuate the planet and live aboard massive starliners in space. The titular character, Wall-E, is a small waste-collecting robot left behind by the humans. Wall-E’s solitary existence is interrupted when he encounters EVE (Extraterrestrial Vegetation Evaluator), a robot sent to Earth to search for signs of life. Wall-E develops feelings for EVE and follows her to the starliner where humans live an extremely lazy life with over-reliance on technology. With a heartwarming story and stunning animation, it explores important issues such as environmental degradation, consumerism, and the consequences of human neglect.
4. Snowpiercer (2013) – Netflix
The movie is set in a dystopian future where an attempt to counteract global warming (we have seen the disasters of artificial cloud seeding) has triggered an ice age, causing the extinction of half of human life on Earth. The remaining survivors inhabit the Snowpiercer, a massive train that travels around the globe on a perpetual loop. The train is divided into a rigid class system, with the wealthy elite living in luxury at the front, while the impoverished lower classes are confined to squalid conditions at the rear. The story follows Curtis Everett, a lower-class passenger who leads a rebellion against the oppressive regime of the train’s creator and ruler, Wilford. Social inequality, class struggle, environmentalism, and the consequences of capitalism are something everyone today will relate to.
5. 1984 – Amazon Prime Video
Based on George Orwell’s classic novel of the same name, the movie portrays a totalitarian society ruled by the Party and its leader, Big Brother. It revolves around Winston Smith, a low-ranking bureaucrat in the Party who secretly rebels against its oppressive regime. Winston begins a forbidden love affair with Julia, another Party member, and together they discover the devastating consequences of their society’s surveillance and control. The movie is a chilling reminder of the dangers of totalitarianism and the importance of vigilance in safeguarding democracy and human rights.
6. Carbon: The Story of Tomorrow – Amazon Prime Video
Starring Jackky Bhagnani, Prachi Desai, and Nawazuddin Siddiqui in pivotal roles, this short film offers a scary reality of global warming. The short film unfolds in the year 2067 against the backdrop of Delhi’s pressing environmental crises. The scarcity of oxygen and water gives a visceral glimpse of their impact on the environment and future generations. This futuristic depiction presents a chilling scenario wherein oxygen becomes a rarity, leaving carbon as the dominant element in the atmosphere. The scenario hits closer home, given that we are living in a highly polluted environment and acute shortage of drinking water in several parts of India.
7. Mad Max (1979) – Amazon Prime Video
This post-apocalyptic action thriller is set in a dystopian future where society has collapsed. The plot follows Max Rockatansky, a former highway patrol officer known as a Main Force Patrol officer, or Bronze. Max patrols the highways of a lawless Australia terrorised by violent motorcycle gangs. As Max seeks revenge for the murder of his wife and child by a ruthless biker gang led by Toecutter, he descends into madness. The movie is noted for its gritty atmosphere, intense action sequences, and innovative car chases, which set the standard for the post-apocalyptic genre. It explores themes of vengeance, survival, and the breakdown of civilisation in the face of societal collapse. The tense plot shows what a constant fight for survival in a ruthless society looks like.
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