The Most Realistically Grounded Sci-Fi Films

  • 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.

dope, (edited )

Here are 3 nice ones

Primer 2004

Moon 2009

The Man From Earth 2007

Also, tackling social issues is small. Tackling the limits of reality is large. Scifi is for the latter. The former can be handled by romcoms and tv dramas.

GraniteM,
  • Moon
  • Predestination
  • Primer
  • Strange Days
bradboimler,
bradboimler avatar

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.

Arotrios,
Arotrios avatar

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.
livus,
livus avatar

@Arotrios nice list. Enemy Mine is such an unusual film.

HerbalGamer, (edited )

Wouldn’t Chappie count after District 9 as well?

mo_ztt,
@mo_ztt@lemmy.world avatar

This is about a 1,000% better list than the MSN one. I’d also add “Primer,” which isn’t as top-notch a movie as these ones, but it’s still good and has the only realistic depiction of working scientists doing research that I’ve ever seen in a film.

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