Before “Ruining Star Wars,” Rian Johnson Created “One of the Best Sci-Fi Movies in Years” and It’s a Streaming Hit

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Switching from truly original science fiction to Star Wars is a big change, particularly when the first was a standout sci-fi film in years, and some fans feel the latter damaged the Star Wars franchise. However, before Rian Johnson directed a very controversial Star Wars movie (which doesn’t seem as impactful now as it did in 2017), he made a fantastic original sci-fi action film. Thirteen years after its theatrical release, Looper is now gaining popularity on streaming services.

Rian Johnson’s sci-fi film, Looper, is currently popular on Starz, ranking as the ninth most-watched movie on the platform. While some fans disagree with his work on Star Wars: The Last Jedi, Looper, released in 2013, is widely praised as a standout original sci-fi movie. The film boasts a strong cast, including Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Bruce Willis, Emily Blunt, Paul Dano, and Jeff Daniels. Before becoming known for his mystery films, Johnson wrote and directed Looper, which many consider one of the best sci-fi movies of the 2010s.

The story blends the crime genre with soft sci-fi. Gordon-Levitt stars as Joe, a hitman from the past who disposes of bodies from the future. But when Joe has to ‘close his loop,’ by killing his future self (played by Bruce Willis) to eliminate all evidence, his trigger finger hesitates, and his future self escapes into his present timeline. The official synopsis reads:

Time travel is possible in the future, but it’s expensive and only available through the black market. Criminal organizations use it to eliminate enemies by sending them back in time, where assassins called ‘loopers’ are waiting to kill them. Joe is a skilled looper until he receives a shocking assignment: his future self is sent back in time for him to execute.

‘Looper’ Is a Fan Favorite Sci-Fi Film, 13 Years Later


TriStar Pictures

Let me tell you, when Looper came out in 2012, it really made a splash. Not only did it rake in over $175 million at the box office – a fantastic return on its $30 million budget – but critics absolutely loved it. I mean, a 93% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, based on over 270 reviews? That’s a seriously impressive score, and it proves just how strong this film really is.

Viewers really enjoy Looper, which has an impressive 82% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. One user called it “easily one of the best sci-fi movies in years,” and another praised it as a “thrilling, intelligent, and emotionally layered sci-fi film that excels in both concept and execution.” It’s a shame that director Rian Johnson is often remembered for the divisive Star Wars: The Last Jedi – and the subsequent criticisms leveled at other Star Wars projects – because Looper is a truly memorable science fiction film that deserves recognition.

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2025-11-07 20:02