- Smaller-scale sci-fi films can tackle social issues on a personal level, making them more relatable to viewers.
- By combining unexpected genres or elements, directors can create a cinematic reality that feels both lived-in and relatable.
- Grounded characters and realistic storytelling can make even the most fantastical science fiction elements seem plausible and relatable.
Since Georges Méliès’ A Trip to the Moon, science fiction movies have captivated audiences. Using space travel, terrifying creatures, and futuristic production design can transport viewers into a completely different universe. Sometimes a director doesn’t want to do that. Adding only one sci-fi element or another genre can create a cinematic reality that feels realistically close to this one.
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Some of my favs in this category:
- They Live
- District 9
- Alien Nation
- Robocop
- Alphaville (have to hat tip @livus for introducing me to that one)
- Enemy Mine - this one might not exactly qualify, as it starts as high action scifi on an alien planet, but it transitions into a very different kind of story by the end. Dennis Quaid’s best performance too, imho, and Lou Gosset Jr is exceptional in one of the weirdest roles of his career.
@Arotrios nice list. Enemy Mine is such an unusual film.
I would call Coherence (2013) grounded scifi. It had been out for a while before I discovered it and I absolutely loved it. Watch it, but go in completely cold.
