The ‘70s and ‘80s helped define science fiction, but the 2010s mastered it. As cinematic technology advanced, so did the ability to tell intricate sci-fi stories. Evolution on both sides truly benefited all. With that, the decade bore witness to some of the greatest and most impactful films in the genre. From mind-bending dreamscapes to revivals of iconic franchises, with megastars playing in the galaxy along the way, the 2010s pushed our imaginations to fascinating places.
We could easily sit here for hours and lovingly honor dozens of films, but for this debate, there are only five 2010s sci-fi flicks that are truly masterpieces. To be considered here, not only do they have to be rendered flawless, but they must have an incredible impact on the genre at large. Maybe it’s how they challenged our perception of AI or elevated CGI’s ability to enhance key elements of filmmaking. Whatever it may be, these masterpieces are iconic and defined the decade in cinema.
‘Arrival’ (2016)
The fear of the unknown is an easy draw for audiences, but tapping into fear is only one perspective on the story. What happens when you put a positive spin on the discussion of extraterrestrials and keep the action on Earth? You get the brilliant Denis Villeneuve masterpiece, Arrival. Based on the novella “Story of Your Life” by Ted Chiang, the film follows linguist Dr. Louise Banks (Amy Adams) as she is tasked with communicating with aliens after twelve spacecraft appear across the planet. Amidst the global panic, nations race to understand if the alien “heptapods” come in peace or arrive as a threat. Joined by physicist Ian Donnelly (Jeremy Renner), Banks begins to decipher their complex, non-linear language, discovering a form of time perception that is actually intertwined with her personal journey of love and loss.
A profound story about the power of communication, Arrival allows the story’s rich themes, raw emotions, and innate intellect to stand out as a genuinely unique science fiction project. While many alien films tend to go straight to the alien invasion, where the characters attempt to prevent further damage, Arrival explores the power of prevention through peaceful measures, providing a glimpse into how languages of any kind are more connected than we might imagine. It transforms the “first contact” trope into a philosophical meditation on language through a realistic approach. Not only does it achieve that grounded feel through Villeneuve’s approach, but through Adams’ raw and rooted performance. In one of her strongest performances of her career, she balances the weight of being humanity’s salvation and overcoming grief. Arrival is an optimistic, timely allegory about cooperation over fear. Even a decade later, it reminds us to take the time to learn and understand each other.
‘Blade Runner 2049’ (2017)
There was much at stake when Denis Villeneuve took the helm for a Blade Runner sequel. Not only did the project have to be as good, if not better, but it needed to prevent itself from being a typical reboot sequel. Thankfully, Blade Runner 2049 expanded upon the original film’s themes of humanity and artificial intelligence. The action, now set in 2049, follows LAPD Blade Runner K (Ryan Gosling), a Nexus-9 replicant who discovers that a replicant once gave birth and died in the process, a revelation that threatens to shatter the fragile order between humans and replicants. Tasked with hiding the truth, K searches for former Blade Runner Rick Deckard (Harrison Ford), uncovering deep personal secrets about his identity and humanity.
A brilliant dissertation on memory, AI, and the desire to discover what it means to be human, Blade Runner 2049 is as insightful as it is visually breathtaking. Villenueve built upon the foundation of the original to further the immersive world-building with thematic depth and a visually remarkable, neon-soaked dystopian landscape. Alongside its exuberant visual effects and Roger Deakins‘ cinematography, both of which walked away with Academy Awards, Blade Runner 2049‘s futuristic landscape felt tangible and closer to reality than ever before. Ultimately, it had all the right ingredients that made it a beloved masterpiece, resulting in a sequel with a distinct identity, inviting a new generation to the story. Now, we wait for Blade Runner 2099!
‘Dawn of the Planet of the Apes’ (2014)
The original Planet of the Apes films hold a very special place in the history of science fiction. In 2011, the franchise was rebooted, but as brilliant as Rise of the Planet of the Apes was, the sequel stands out at the top of the pack. Directed by Matt Reeves, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes is set ten years after the Simian Flu pandemic decimated humanity. Caesar (Andy Serkis), the leader of an advanced ape community in Muir Woods, finds his peace threatened when they encounter human survivors, led by Malcolm (Jason Clarke), in San Francisco, leading to a betrayal by Koba (Toby Kebbell), a bonobo with a vendetta against humans, and a brutal war for dominance.
An almost Shakespearean-level tragedy set in a sci-fi dystopia, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes transcends the typical popcorn blockbuster for a substantial spectacle with rich themes, expanding upon the brilliance of its predecessor. The film truly is the “Apefather,” not only in the way politics play into the story, but also in how it is stronger than its predecessor. Dawn of the Planet of the Apes is a brilliant exploration of how the need for peace is decimated by the desire for power and revenge. The story breaks away from the easy good-versus-evil narrative to tackle the complexity of war, the dangers of prejudice, and the struggle to maintain peace in a time of chaos. Though there are certainly shades of Animal Farm woven in, this sequel emerges as its own unique entity. The intensity of emotions stemming from the apes is, at times, more genuine than their human counterparts, thus increasing the tragedy at the center of the story.
‘Her’ (2013)
If there is one film that has aged quite perfectly, it’s Her. Since its release in 2013, artificial intelligence has evolved, meaning the Spike Jonze sci-fi romantic drama still manages to pack a powerful punch. Her tells the story of Theodore Twombly (Joaquin Phoenix), a lonely, introverted, heartbroken letter writer who develops a deep, intimate romantic relationship with Samantha (Scarlett Johansson), an advanced AI-powered operating system designed to adapt and evolve to meet his every need. As their friendship evolves into a complex bond, Theodore is forced to confront the limitations of physical reality and human intimacy.
A breathtaking look at love, technology, and isolation, Her is a modern-day meditation on emotional expression and the buffer that builds against messy human interactions. It is a richly resonant masterpiece that tackles human connection, or lack thereof, in a tech-dominated world. The story may have seemed distant at the time of release, but Her rightly predicted the complicated paradox of being hyper-connected yet deeply isolated as a result of the surrounding technology. That said, Jonze’s story doesn’t demonize technology; instead, it serves as a cautionary tale for how we seek out the intimacy we desperately need. The film thrives through the beautiful aesthetic, using a soft, warm color palette that is a far cry from typical science fiction projects, with cinematographer Hoyte van Hoytema presenting this world as almost dream-like. Phoenix portrays Theodore as immensely vulnerable and lonely, someone you easily rally behind.
‘Inception’ (2010)
Science fiction films often explore similar topics, like space, aliens, time travel, robots, and the like, but one topic that rarely gets deeply explored is dreams. It’s something we all have and experience, so why not tap into the power, fear, and depths of dreams? Well, Christopher Nolan did so in the masterfully thrilling action masterpiece Inception. Dom Cobb (Leonardo DiCaprio) is a thief who steals corporate secrets by entertaining targets’ subconscious minds through shared dream technology. To return home to his children, Dom takes on one final mission: not to steal an idea, but to plant one into the mind of Robert Fischer (Cillian Murphy), the heir to a business empire. Recruiting a team to navigate multiple, nested dream levels to plant the idea as the perfect crime, Dom must navigate his grief as he’s haunted by his deceased wife, Mal (Marion Cotillard).
Inception is a genre-blending masterpiece that balances intellectual science fiction with a heist structure to create a story unlike very few before. Like many Nolan projects, Inception is remarkably good-looking; through the use of in-camera effects over CGI, scenes, including the rotating hallway fight and the folding cityscape, appear tactile and substantial. It alsoboasts a brilliant ensemble playing engaging characters that keep the narrative moving at a brisk pace. Inception dazzles on screen, but it also allows you to play along. The story may feel dense, but it’s accessible. As viewers continue to debate the spinning top, it proves just how powerful this game-changing gem was.
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