7 Dystopian Movies to Watch After the 2024 Election

As someone who’s spent countless hours immersed in the captivating worlds of dystopian literature and cinema, I must say this list is a veritable treasure trove for those seeking tales of societies gone awry. From the hauntingly beautiful to the downright terrifying, these films encapsulate the essence of what it means to grapple with the darker sides of humanity.

In case you somehow missed it, there was a major federal election this week in the United States and if there is one thing about decisions on power, no matter the outcome or what side you’re on, once the votes have been cast and the winner declared, people turn to entertainment. Be it for comfort or distraction, entertainment is a go-to when things are uncertain or complicated and particularly around political cycles, entertainment with dystopian themes are surprisingly popular. It’s kind of like during the pandemic when people were really interested in movies and television series about fictional pandemics and the end of the world — remember when COVID first started to have a global impact in early 2020 and Steven Soderberg’s Contagion started topping rental charts? There’s just something about films that are “on theme” with how a population is feeling during complicated times that makes them go-to entertainment for folks.

If you find yourself drawn towards dystopian narratives in movies following a challenging election period, I’ve compiled a list of streaming suggestions that delve into post-apocalyptic scenarios without any explicit political agendas. While these fictional societies may reflect various political struggles and ideologies, the focus here is on providing entertaining end-of-the-world viewing options to help you unwind. This collection includes both recent releases and timeless classics, as well as standalone projects and franchises, ensuring there’s something for everyone. Now, let me share this list with you:

1. Civil War

Upfront, let’s discuss Alex Garland’s controversial film, “Civil War,” which has stirred much debate among viewers. This year’s release features an ensemble cast including Kirsten Dunst, Wagner Moura, Cailee Spaeny, Stephen McKinley Henderson, Sonoya Mizuno, and Nick Offerman. The plot revolves around a group of war correspondents journeying from New York City to Washington D.C., amid an internal conflict in the United States. As the nation is torn apart by clashes between the federal government and secessionist factions, these journalists aim to meet the president before rebel forces capture the White House. Garland’s work, one of A24’s highest-earning films yet, can now be streamed on Max.

2. Planet of the Apes (1968)

Instead of cramming the entire “Planet of the Apes” series onto this list, I’d recommend you start with this particular film if you can only watch one. Inspired by Pierre Boulle’s 1963 novel and featuring Charlton Heston, Roddy McDowall, Kim Hunter, Maurice Evans, James Whitmore, James Daly, and Linda Harrison, this movie tells the story of Astronaut Taylor who lands on a distant world governed by intelligent and technologically superior apes. They have humans either as slaves, subjects of experiments, or potential threats to be eliminated. The movie’s shocking twist ending is both iconic and jaw-dropping. You can rent this film on Amazon Prime Video. Other films in the series, including “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” from 2024, are available for streaming on Disney+.

3. The Purge (2013)

A scenario involving multiple movies in a series, I’d like to include the initial movie from this collection: “The Purge,” released in 2013. This film was both written and directed by James DeMonaco, featuring Ethan Hawke, Lena Headey, Adelaide Kane, and Max Burkholder. The plot revolves around a prosperous family that needs to defend themselves during a burglary, but here’s the twist: this break-in occurs during the annual Purge, an occasion where all criminal activities are legal for 12 hours due to a law passed by the government in a post-economic collapse America. The movie can be rented on Amazon Prime Video at the moment.

Marking a decade since its release, the classic movie “Interstellar” is commemorated with a 4K Blu-ray Collector’s Edition and Steelbook versions.

4. Equilibrium

In a bleak, post-World War III setting, I found myself immersed in the gripping tale of Equilibrium – a world where feelings and creative self-expression are strictly forbidden, with citizens enslaved by drugs that suppress emotions. As an officer tasked with enforcing this rule, I unwittingly missed my scheduled dose, leading to the reawakening of my long-suppressed emotions and a profound realization of the oppressive regime’s true nature. The film boasts an impressive cast including Christian Bale, Emily Watson, and Taye Diggs, although critics may have mixed feelings about it. Despite some less-than-stellar reviews, the action sequences are definitely worth checking out. You can rent it on Amazon Prime Video or potentially find it on Pluto TV.

5. The Giver

Absolutely! Taylor Swift does make a brief appearance in the movie “The Giver,” which I’ve included in my list for several reasons. One reason is her involvement, but let me emphasize that the film itself is a captivating story worth watching.

6. Interstellar

Absolutely, I’m referring to “Interstellar” as a dystopia. This movie, directed by Christopher Nolan (who collaborated on the script with his brother Jonathan Nolan), depicts a group of astronauts venturing into space through a wormhole near Saturn, seeking a new habitable planet for humanity that’s rapidly facing extinction due to Earth’s devastation by blight and famine in the not-too-distant future. The stellar cast includes Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway, Jessica Chastain, Bill Irwin, Ellen Burstyn, Matt Damon, and Michael Caine. Although “Interstellar” is primarily categorized as a science fiction film due to its space-oriented narrative, the dystopian aspect lies in the portrayal of Earth’s ecological ruin. You can stream it on Peacock and Paramount+. In a delightful twist, the film will be returning to theaters this December to celebrate its 10th anniversary!

7. High Rise

In 2015, I had the pleasure of discovering “High Rise,” a chilling British dystopian thriller that was brilliantly brought to life from J.G. Ballard’s 1975 novel of the same name. This gripping tale features an all-star cast including Tom Hiddleston, Jeremy Irons, Sienna Miller, Luke Evans, and Elisabeth Moss. The story unfolds within a luxurious high-rise building that offers its residents everything they need under one roof, but it is unfortunately divided by income with the lower class on the lower floors and the wealthy residing at the top. As tensions rise due to the class struggle, so does violence between the haves and have-nots. If you haven’t seen “High Rise” yet, I highly recommend streaming it on Max.

Bonus: The Hunger Games films

Without a doubt, one can’t overlook the Hunger Games series when discussing recent dystopian franchises. This rundown wouldn’t be comprehensive without mentioning the first four films adapted from Suzanne Collins’ original trilogy of books. These movies center around Katniss Everdeen, portrayed by Jennifer Lawrence, a young woman compelled to participate in a lethal, televised competition known as The Hunger Games, where teens from the 12 Districts of Panem battle each other to the death. This nation, Panem, was birthed from the former United States, and the games serve as retribution for a past rebellion against the Capitol. You can catch these films on Hulu with a STARZ subscription, including the latest film in the franchise, the prequel The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. The next movie, Sunrise on the Reaping, is slated for release in 2026, with a novel releasing on March 18, 2025, beforehand.

2024-11-09 06:46