Time is Running Out to Stream a 20 Year Old Sci-Fi Gem Before it Leaves Netflix

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As a huge movie fan, I always think back to the 2000s as a golden age for action films. We had such awesome movies like The Fast and the Furious, 300, National Treasure, and The Bourne Identity – films that really got your heart racing! And it wasn’t just action, either. A lot of those movies blended with sci-fi, giving us gems like Minority Report and Equilibrium. Well, one of those fantastic sci-fi action movies is about to leave Netflix, and if you’re like me and love revisiting these classics, you only have a few days left to watch it!

Despite having all the ingredients for success – a famous director in Michael Bay, stars like Scarlett Johansson and Ewan McGregor, and a compelling premise with detailed world-building – the 2005 film The Island initially failed at the box office. It’s only recently found an audience thanks to streaming, but will be leaving Netflix on February 23rd.

The Island Is a High Concept Hidden Gem Sci-Fi

The film The Island takes place in a futuristic world where people live in a seemingly perfect, but strictly controlled, environment. They’re told the outside world is toxic, with only one safe haven: an idyllic island. Each week, one resident wins a lottery to go live there. But Lincoln Six Echo (Ewan McGregor) starts to suspect things aren’t what they seem, and his investigation, along with Jordan Two Delta (Scarlett Johansson), leads them on a perilous quest for the truth. While the idea of a controlled reality hiding a dark secret isn’t new, The Island stands out because of its detailed and immersive world-building.

The Island is packed with action and explores compelling sci-fi themes like cloning, a seemingly contaminated world (which turns out to be a deception), and a society where the rich exploit others for their own benefit. What’s particularly impressive is how these ideas are presented – the film is rich in detail, from the mechanics of cloning to the visual design of this unique world. There’s a lot to absorb, and while it’s not flawless, The Island is a captivating and thrilling movie. The acting is also strong, especially Michael Clarke Duncan, who makes a powerful impact despite limited screen time.

Interestingly, while The Island wasn’t a big success in the US, it did well internationally. Director Michael Bay believes this was due to ineffective marketing in America, and that the film would have been more popular domestically if more people had known about it. He might be right, as the film has gained popularity on streaming services.

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2026-02-15 19:11