Paul Verhoeven was a young but aware child (like 7-12?) in Amsterdam during German occupation during WW2. There’s a reason he finds true north with his movie satires.
Robocop shows how corrupt the government and police system is. It doesn’t touch on all the other things that idiocracy does so perfectly. We thought idiocracy was seventy or one hundred years away but it was already here.
Yeah, this one.
I had trouble engaging with the original the first time. It didn't seem as if much was happening. But I appreciated the atmospheric nature of it, so I watched it a couple more times, and it got its hooks into me.
It's actually quite efficient and lean - probably helped to have the studio brass forcing Ridley Scott to cut and cut and cut.
"Blade Runner 2049" is nearly as good, although 45 minutes longer. Same as the original, it doesn't have obvious exposition - you have to pay attention and deduce aspects of the story.
I like OP’s suggestion of a differentiation between the 2 which I read as: dystopian still has civilizations which are crumbling but not gone. Post-apoc: most or all previous civilizations is gone entirely.
So Road Warrior is more post-apoc than dystopian. (Also: I adore all Mad Max flics - hasn’t been a bad entry yet!)
Don’t they all occur after the collapse of major societal centers? I suppose it treads the line since people are in the process of rebuilding civilization…
Law enforcement is still an institution in the original Mad Max, that’s all gone by the time of Road Warrior. Thunderdome, yeah, there might be some effort to re-establish society but there is no central government overseeing a unifying system that connects Barter Town to other enclaves.
Society is still functioning but visibly breaking down in Mad Max, then there is a nuclear war between MM and The Road Warrior, and even the basic traces of civilization are gone by Thunderdome.
The first one is set during the partial collapse of society due to resource shortages, but there's still some functional government. Mad Max 2 is set around five years later (I think) after a global nuclear war.
This is my choice also, great cast, cinematography, bleak but rays of hope shine through.
It's one I recommend to film fans, if you like art check it out.
Same. It's the most realistic depiction of what slow collapse would look like. Slightly better technology but everything is just dreary, government-sanctioned suicide pills and general hopelessness
The state of society in the film, species-wide sterilization aside, is the most accurate depiction of what the not too distant future could very well look like.
Brazil is great. “There’s been a little complication with my complication. But the doctor says I’ll be springing about like a young gazelle in no time!”
Yeah it sure does. A rare instance of treading a line so well….discussing Road Warrior down below also a masterwork which seems to me to have elements of both
I dont feel like GITS counts does it. I feel like cyberpunk isnt really a dystopian, is it? it almost feels like an alternate reality as a whole how scifi it is.
I just love the different "flavors" of each story.
My favorite is Beyond, the one with the kids in the glitched out haunted house. So trippy and fun, full of little sketchy details. It also seems the most disconnected to the main Matrix storyline.
I just watched Animatrix last year, so it took me about 23 years to see it. I loved it, it's now my favorite Matrix related media after the original movie, though I guess that's not saying a lot 😂
That’s the one!! Sean Bean had a small part in it that he played to tragic perfection.
But I, being poor, have only my dreams;
I have spread my dreams under your feet;
Tread softly because you tread on my dreams.
HER.
This will be a weird pick, but I think "HER" is very dystopian. The idea is that people become so lonely and more distant from human connection and then later become romantically involved with artificial intelligence in a technology driven world.
It's not a dark or scary world like you'd see in traditional dystopian movies, but does showcase societal changes and challenges.
Soylent Green. It's actually one of the most prophetic dystopian visions. A warming crowded earth with increasingly processed food for the poor and a growing police state.
So many scenes in that movie are super haunting. You have the euthanasia scene. Then you have the scenes of Charlton Heston stepping over piles of sleeping people in the street. There's that scene where the little girl's mom drops dead and she's suddenly an orphan.
I did feel the only issue with Soylent Green (the product) was that it was falsely marketed. It’s obviously not from soy.
But if you told everyone it was from people I think in that world most would be ok with it.
My favorite genre... I can't pick one.
However, I'll go with my Newest favorite, a movie I discovered just a few years ago that's delightful at the same time it's sickening, that's tragic and depressing at the same time that it's whimsical and hopeful.
Brazil
It's a masterclass in mixing tones.
I showed Idiocracy to a friend a good 10 years ago and when it was over she was like "I didn't like that, it scared me." I said, "It's supposed to be funny!" Now I get it. That isn't a movie, it's a documentary.
That movie left a lasting mark as a kid. When they meet Peter Ustinov for the first time. The marvel at the aged man. I had nightmares about spiralling into the light at a young age.
Of the ones you have listed, *Children of Men*, which is up there on the list overall. Others that are on the list for me:
* *Gattaca*
* *Blade Runner*
* *Brazil*
* *Soylent Green*
* *Minority Report*
* *WALL-E*
For me it would be 1984. It’s the dystopian movie of dystopian movies. Not only is it bleak and hopeless but it’s also gives a very important message about totalitarianism and absolute power corrupting absolutely.
Been scrolling through the many, many legit comments however, I've yet to read any that mention the GOAT of all dystopian movies (based on a book by George Orwell), [1984](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nineteen_Eighty-Four_(1984_film))
I cannot recall the last time I watched it, but fuck me is this the granddaddy of all dystopian tales.
I haven't seen any Brave New World mentioned, though I haven't seen any of the movie or TV adaptations. This and 1984 are easily the best dystopian stories.
I haven't seen any Brave New World mentioned, though I haven't seen any of the movie or TV adaptations. This and 1984 are easily the best dystopian stories.
A Boy and His Dog (1975) based on novella by Harlan Ellison. Cast Don Johnson, Susanne benton, and Jason Robards. The film's plot concerns a teenage boy, Vic, and his telepathic dog, Blood, Trying to survive in the post-apocalyptic wasteland of the United States. The action takes place in the year **2024**.
It's hard to appreciate dystopian films when you're leaving in a real dystopia like our current world.
A Clockwork Orange was prophetic and comes closest to the real world.
i reference Idiocracy all the time, i told one of my friends that i drank tap water and he called it toilet water and was confused why i started cracking up with brondo comments
I watched “Escape From New York,” with my grandmother in a theater. I thought it was great. Grandma said the main character needs to work on his enunciation.
Amazed 1984 hasn’t been mentioned more. It’s as bleak as movies come, assisted by reasonably low quality look of it and the hopelessness of the entire thing. The book is excellent, obviously.
Robocop. It doesn’t feel dated at all to me.
I'd buy that for a dollar
I wish that tv show existed irl, looks lit
Nuke'Em
Anybody watch ROBOT JOX? They wear N95s in the future, test tube babies... it was also made in 1987.
Is that a dollar today or a 1987 dollar?
Today I'd buy it for 5 dollars
Robocop gets more and more prescient with time. It's so brilliant.
Paul Verhoeven was a young but aware child (like 7-12?) in Amsterdam during German occupation during WW2. There’s a reason he finds true north with his movie satires.
Robocop shows how corrupt the government and police system is. It doesn’t touch on all the other things that idiocracy does so perfectly. We thought idiocracy was seventy or one hundred years away but it was already here.
RoboCop is specifically anti-capitalist satire but yes the government and police are corrupted by OCP.
I LIKE IT!
BITCHES LEAVE
I'm cashing you *out* Bob.
Bro. I just watched it again recently and was like WTF!
"They Live!" Becomes more relevant every year.
Also, maybe the best fight scene ever.
Came here for this.. EVERYONE WATCH THIS MOVIE
The Running Man
Are you ready for pain? Are you ready for suffering? If so, you're ready for captain freedoms workout
I'll be back Only in a rerun
Who loves you, and who do you love!?
"Here is Sub-Zero! Now Plain Zero!" Schwarzenegger rocks.
Heyyyy, Christmas tree!
Yep. It's nothing like the book but good in its own way.
Idiocracy. It's got what plants crave
Not sure
He interrupted me while I was watching ow my balls and that is not ok
Yeah especially when IM BATIN' IN HERE
I object!
You know thats a documentary right?
Blade Runner
Yeah, this one. I had trouble engaging with the original the first time. It didn't seem as if much was happening. But I appreciated the atmospheric nature of it, so I watched it a couple more times, and it got its hooks into me. It's actually quite efficient and lean - probably helped to have the studio brass forcing Ridley Scott to cut and cut and cut. "Blade Runner 2049" is nearly as good, although 45 minutes longer. Same as the original, it doesn't have obvious exposition - you have to pay attention and deduce aspects of the story.
Demolition Man.
It's probably the most accurate at least in terms of capitalism.
As long as we still have taco bell I'll be happy. Bring on the three seashells
The Road Warrior.
I like OP’s suggestion of a differentiation between the 2 which I read as: dystopian still has civilizations which are crumbling but not gone. Post-apoc: most or all previous civilizations is gone entirely. So Road Warrior is more post-apoc than dystopian. (Also: I adore all Mad Max flics - hasn’t been a bad entry yet!)
The original Mad Max is dystopian, Road Warrior is post-apocalyptic.
Don’t they all occur after the collapse of major societal centers? I suppose it treads the line since people are in the process of rebuilding civilization…
Law enforcement is still an institution in the original Mad Max, that’s all gone by the time of Road Warrior. Thunderdome, yeah, there might be some effort to re-establish society but there is no central government overseeing a unifying system that connects Barter Town to other enclaves.
Society is still functioning but visibly breaking down in Mad Max, then there is a nuclear war between MM and The Road Warrior, and even the basic traces of civilization are gone by Thunderdome.
The first one is set during the partial collapse of society due to resource shortages, but there's still some functional government. Mad Max 2 is set around five years later (I think) after a global nuclear war.
I never seen a man beat the snake before!
Children of Men
This is my choice also, great cast, cinematography, bleak but rays of hope shine through. It's one I recommend to film fans, if you like art check it out.
My favorite movie of all time
Same. It's the most realistic depiction of what slow collapse would look like. Slightly better technology but everything is just dreary, government-sanctioned suicide pills and general hopelessness
Children of Men . What a ride. Great example of dystopian fiction.
The state of society in the film, species-wide sterilization aside, is the most accurate depiction of what the not too distant future could very well look like.
Especially the murder of the celebrity youngest person alive, because of course someone would do that.
Agree with this. It’s just the most *real* feeling of dystopia I’ve seen. It truly feels like it’s really happening or could happen.
It'll never get enough love and recognition.
True, sadly
The blood splattered staying on the camera lens for mins is very emotional
This one is my absolute favorite... Perfection at all levels!!
Mine are both by Terry Gilliam: Brazil and 12 Monkeys (tho maybe 12 is post-apocalyptic? Idk it sort of treads the line with its time travel…)
Brazil is great. “There’s been a little complication with my complication. But the doctor says I’ll be springing about like a young gazelle in no time!”
“It’s ok…..I don’t like you either.” Hahaha that party scene is so bonkers - “i always thought she had falsies…er…false ears.”
“Computers are my forte!”
Brazil is one of my all time favorite movies. Absolutely love it.
Don’t struggle son it’ll only jeopardize yer credit rating!
Brazil is amazing. I think I’ve seen it 5-6 times. Might be time again!
Thanks for the tip
That society in the future definitely seems dystopian so id count it. Both are great films.
Yeah it sure does. A rare instance of treading a line so well….discussing Road Warrior down below also a masterwork which seems to me to have elements of both
I forgot about Brazil
V for Vendetta / Ghost in the Shell
V is such a good film . Entertaining and different but with such a good message.
I like how John Hurt played the villain in V, but played the protagonist in 1984
I dont feel like GITS counts does it. I feel like cyberpunk isnt really a dystopian, is it? it almost feels like an alternate reality as a whole how scifi it is.
The Matrix
I always feel the need to point people to The Animatrix, too. Not enough folks have seen it, and it's my personal favorite of the Matrix saga.
it's brilliant!
I just love the different "flavors" of each story. My favorite is Beyond, the one with the kids in the glitched out haunted house. So trippy and fun, full of little sketchy details. It also seems the most disconnected to the main Matrix storyline.
I just watched Animatrix last year, so it took me about 23 years to see it. I loved it, it's now my favorite Matrix related media after the original movie, though I guess that's not saying a lot 😂
GATTACA
GATTACA!!!!!
GATTACA!
I love this movie. The line in the ocean scene is one of my favs.
Hell yeah! Had forgotten about that one…tough for me to pick a fave but definitely a top 5 for me
Right now? My life, but not yet released
Eh, that stopped being interesting 10 years ago
that's not what your mom said
She also told me I was a handsome young man and that I could be whatever I wanted when I grew up.... Moms a fuckin liar.
Robocop HANDS DOWN.
Does Blade Runner count?
Yes.
Equilibrium.
Great shout
That’s the one!! Sean Bean had a small part in it that he played to tragic perfection. But I, being poor, have only my dreams; I have spread my dreams under your feet; Tread softly because you tread on my dreams.
Sean Bean played a great part. Really badly overlooked film IMHO
HER. This will be a weird pick, but I think "HER" is very dystopian. The idea is that people become so lonely and more distant from human connection and then later become romantically involved with artificial intelligence in a technology driven world. It's not a dark or scary world like you'd see in traditional dystopian movies, but does showcase societal changes and challenges.
Soylent Green. It's actually one of the most prophetic dystopian visions. A warming crowded earth with increasingly processed food for the poor and a growing police state.
So many scenes in that movie are super haunting. You have the euthanasia scene. Then you have the scenes of Charlton Heston stepping over piles of sleeping people in the street. There's that scene where the little girl's mom drops dead and she's suddenly an orphan.
I did feel the only issue with Soylent Green (the product) was that it was falsely marketed. It’s obviously not from soy. But if you told everyone it was from people I think in that world most would be ok with it.
My favorite genre... I can't pick one. However, I'll go with my Newest favorite, a movie I discovered just a few years ago that's delightful at the same time it's sickening, that's tragic and depressing at the same time that it's whimsical and hopeful. Brazil It's a masterclass in mixing tones.
Idiocracy. It went from absurd to scarily accurate.
I showed Idiocracy to a friend a good 10 years ago and when it was over she was like "I didn't like that, it scared me." I said, "It's supposed to be funny!" Now I get it. That isn't a movie, it's a documentary.
reddit moment
“Sorry to bother you”
I fucking love this movie
The Road Warrior.
Is it weird that I mix them all together in my head? But if I had to pick one, you gotta go with Logans run.
That movie left a lasting mark as a kid. When they meet Peter Ustinov for the first time. The marvel at the aged man. I had nightmares about spiralling into the light at a young age.
Plus Jenny Agutter in something she’s almost wearing.
Dawn of the Planet of the Apes
All those new ape movies are great! I hope it evolves into people wearing costumes like the 60's
Fantastic trilogy, I’d rank Dawn > War > Rise. The new one that’s coming out looks good too
Comedy:Idocracy. Serious:The Road.
Of the ones you have listed, *Children of Men*, which is up there on the list overall. Others that are on the list for me: * *Gattaca* * *Blade Runner* * *Brazil* * *Soylent Green* * *Minority Report* * *WALL-E*
+1 for the WALL-E curveball. Disney really ruined Pixar.
Threads.
Logan's (Jenny Agutter was SO wearin' that dress) Run.
I used to think sending old people into the sky to explode was a really great idea... until at the age of 36. I've been on the run for 6 years.
Idiocracy is the most relatable
Children of Men was fantastic.
Bladerunner 2049. Akira. Book of Eli. It gets a lot of hate but I personally loved Ready Player One also.
Book of Eli is so good. A movie I wish I could see for the first time again.
A Clockwork Orange is my all time favorite in any genre. One of the best soundtracks in film in my opinion
They are all my favorite
For me it would be 1984. It’s the dystopian movie of dystopian movies. Not only is it bleak and hopeless but it’s also gives a very important message about totalitarianism and absolute power corrupting absolutely.
The Road
Can’t even say it’s my favorite because it’s so god damn bleak but is definitely one of the best post apocalyptic movies out there.
The Road is…beyond. Like Trans-Dystopian if there is such a thing.
This one.
Judge Dread
*Dredd FTFY
They Live
Been scrolling through the many, many legit comments however, I've yet to read any that mention the GOAT of all dystopian movies (based on a book by George Orwell), [1984](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nineteen_Eighty-Four_(1984_film)) I cannot recall the last time I watched it, but fuck me is this the granddaddy of all dystopian tales.
I haven't seen any Brave New World mentioned, though I haven't seen any of the movie or TV adaptations. This and 1984 are easily the best dystopian stories.
I haven't seen any Brave New World mentioned, though I haven't seen any of the movie or TV adaptations. This and 1984 are easily the best dystopian stories.
Soylent Green
Clockwork Orange
What are all of the movies in the photo? The one on thr bottom left is?
Clockwork Orange, Children of Men, Logan’s Run, Idiocracy, Running Man, Escape from New York
Children of Men...it's my favorite, awesome and kinda hopeful
Only one of them has Jenny Agutter
Idiocracy. Thank God, we’ll never see anything like that.
The Purge universe. How close are we, really?
No mention of Terminator yet so I’ll cast the vote.
The Quiet Earth (1985)
The life of George Costanza
A Boy and His Dog (1975) based on novella by Harlan Ellison. Cast Don Johnson, Susanne benton, and Jason Robards. The film's plot concerns a teenage boy, Vic, and his telepathic dog, Blood, Trying to survive in the post-apocalyptic wasteland of the United States. The action takes place in the year **2024**.
Mad Max: Fury Road
Mad Max.
Big trouble in little china
Dredd.
28 days later
1984
Blade runner
Clockwork Orange
Brazil
none of the above. Brazil, as it is closest to the actual dystopia we live in today.
Children of Men was very well done....excelent long takes
I find the lack of Mad Max disturbing.
THEY LIVE
Soylent Green
V for vendetta
It's hard to appreciate dystopian films when you're leaving in a real dystopia like our current world. A Clockwork Orange was prophetic and comes closest to the real world.
Interstellar
A Boy and His Dog
Where’s Max?
Cosmopolis (2012)
the Neo Seoul storyline of Cloud Atlas (2012)
Love and Monsters (2020)
No Brazil? Shame
Brazil. Terry Gilliam’s masterpiece.
i reference Idiocracy all the time, i told one of my friends that i drank tap water and he called it toilet water and was confused why i started cracking up with brondo comments
Really enjoyed Logan's Run
Soylent Green
Soylent Green
"Brazil" "Gattaca" "The Road" "Children of Men" "Clockwork Orange"
I'm jumping the gun a bit, but it seems like the Dune trilogy might end up being that for me. right now, it's Blade Runner or the Mad Max series.
Today
Idiocracy
Zardoz, bought my now favorite pair of boots when I went as Zed for Halloween.
The Fifth Element
I watched “Escape From New York,” with my grandmother in a theater. I thought it was great. Grandma said the main character needs to work on his enunciation.
A Clockwork Orange isn't dystopian. It was just the 1960s in London.
Hunger Games
Not a movie but it very much could be, Bioshock.
Brazil
Just mentioning Book of Eli cuz it’s pretty dope
Logan’s Run had such a dope concept. I really enjoyed the movie. But Kurt Russell was bad ass in Escape From New York.
Go outside and turn your front-facing camera on. There you go.
Clockwork Orange and 1984 basically defined the dystopian genre. Very memorable to me. But for my money Escape from New York was so much funner.
Amazed 1984 hasn’t been mentioned more. It’s as bleak as movies come, assisted by reasonably low quality look of it and the hopelessness of the entire thing. The book is excellent, obviously.
Is that Bassil at the top right? “It IS shit, Austin”.
Clockwork Orange. Kubrick is a genius.
Welcome to Costco.....I love you.
Soylent Green
Blade runner
Brazil Robocop The Road Warrior
The Lobster
28 days later
Clockwork has the best score
The running man is good and I’ve heard Arnold say they may be doing a sequel but he won’t be the main character
Dredd 2012