Historical Timeline of Dystopian films1927 – Metropolis was the first dystopian film made. The film is about a futuristic urban dystopia, and it follows a young man and women. The man is from a wealthy background, and the lady is from a poorer background. The film explores the separation between the two classes. Metropolis was the first film to play on the idea of an alternative reality and made people think about what they were watching. The film can be seen as a Marxist critique of futuristic society.

1936 – Modern Times is a film set in a future industrialised city. It follows a little tramp like character who struggles to make it in this modern world. It critiques the quickly industrialising world as well as the great depression. It uses the idea of the ‘American dream’ and the ‘pursuit of happiness’, as a way of driving the film on.

1920’s to 1930’s

1951 – The day the earth stood still is a film about a humanoid alien that arrives on earth to give an important message to the people. The message is that other planets are worried about earths atomic power, this is a clear critique of the war, fighting and nuclear power. The humanoid alien gives earth an ultimatum which is that if earth continue the violence, and it goes into space then earth will be obliterated. This is basically intending that the future of the world is in our hands.

1968 – Planet of The Apes is a futuristic science fiction film about a alternate planet where apes have evolved into creatures with human like intelligence and speech. The brutality of the apes parallels the 60’s issues of racism, evolution, intolerance, and possible nuclear warfare. Planet of the Apesserves more than a Dystopian world, but as a warning for a Cold War era against the atrocities of war. The film can also be seen as a critique of how humans treat animals.

1950’s to 1960’s

1970 – No Blade Of Grass is a film about a new virus that has appeared in the country, the virus attacks strains of grass such as wheat and rice. This causes mass chaos and famine throughout the country. The film follows a man trying to take his family to a farm in Scotland, they encounter hostile soldiers, gangs and any type of person ready to take advantage of them for some food. These groups of people trying to take advantage of them for their own benefit is very typical of dystopian films. This film clearly critiques society and how much humans only think about themselves, and will do anything to survive if that means hurt another human.

1987 – The Running Man is a film about a cop called Ben, who was convicted for a crime he never did. When he is in prison he escapes with some inmates, but one of the inmates turns him into the police. The Running Man is a game show wherein convicted felons are given the chance to run to freedom but have to elude people who are trying to kill them. Ben decides to go on the game show, not realising that the inmates he escaped with are on the show too. This is a critique of society because this show is one of the most popular shows around and that shows how much humans enjoy violence.

1970’s to 1980’s

1995 – Twelve Monkeys is a film about a dystopian future where a disease has devastated most of the world. The film follows a man who goes back in time to try and find a cure for the disease and bring it back. The film looks at the idea of a world rocked by economic dislocation, rapidly shifting capital, wild swings in the market, and a sense of uncertainty and chaos. It could be seen as challenging meta narratives the way the film uses the past present and future, and at times they are interchangeable. The future is devolution. Man has become animal, and film seems to indicate that man has lost all control of the world we live in and the animals may as well be in charge because man is incapable of doing so.

2002 – Equilibrium is a film about a fascist future where all forms of feeling are illegal. But one of the enforcers of this law, makes a plan to over through the government. The film goes with the idea of a fascist world. This could be seen as critique of where society is heading in the future. Additionally, it shows what a fascist world would be like.

1990’s to 2000’s

Elysium is a film about the year 2154. It takes place on a ravaged earth and a luxurious planet called Elysium. Wealthy people live in Elysium, and poor people are left on an overpopulated and devastated earth. The film deals with over population, equality , exploitation, the justice system, class issues and immigration. All these issues are genuine issues amongst humanity and this film brings these fears to life and looks at what it could be like in the future. There is a clear divide between rich and poor and that has been a problem in the world for eternity, but this film highlights what it could turn into if this divide stays the same.

The Purge is a film about a wealthy family trying to survive the purge. The purge is one day a year where all crime is legal and all emergency services are suspended. The purge is used by the government and helps to control crime rates and unemployment. When the audience watch the film they would get a real sense of what it would be like without a justice system, police etc. and will make you appreciate them more.

Recent Dystopian Films