Sci-fi movies are often known for their dense layering of intriguing concepts, as filmmakers create complex worlds bristling with details that are hard to notice on a first watch. This means that some great sci-fi movies get even better when you watch them a second time.
Whether it’s a visual detail hidden in the background or a subtle plot point that helps flesh out the world and the characters, sci-fi movies are filled with exciting discoveries for a second watch, more so than most other genres. Some entertaining movies can lose their luster after the first watch, but sci-fi operates differently.
Arrivalis based on a short story by Ted Chiang, and it’s translated to the screen superbly. Although the story is about the ways that language can shape our perception of the world around us,Arrivalmanages to keep these themes intact in a different medium.
In the end, the mysteries and oddities scattered throughout the movie take on new forms of meaning.
Arrival’s non-linear timelinedoesn’t reveal its various intricacies until one great twist toward the ending. As soon as it does, the mysteries and oddities scattered throughout the movie take on new forms of meaning, urging audiences to go back and rewatchArrivalwith this information in mind.
2001: A Space Odysseyis one ofStanley Kubrick’s best movies, and it showcases his mastery of genre once again. It has also impacted science-fiction more than almost any other movie in history, so it’s worth watching multiple times just to pick up on the allusions that other movies make to 2001: A Space Odyssey.
A lot of Kubrick’s strange, confronting imagery in2001: A Space Odysseyis meant to be felt rather than immediately understood.From the sleek, obsidian monoliths to the multicolored time tunnel and the giant space baby, there’s no shortage of powerful visual metaphors, and multiple watches reveal multiple meanings.
Everything Everywhere All at Onceis many things, as the title suggests. It’s a multiverse-hopping sci-fi romp as well as an absurd comedy, a family drama and a quirky martial arts movie rolled into one.The onslaught of bizarre imagery can be difficult to take in on one viewing.
The seeming randomness of the Daniels' imagery reveals thetrue meaning ofEverything Everywhere All at Once.It’s a movie that dazzles the senses, leaving audiences to sift through the barrage of different realities to form their own meaning from the remnants. Different rewatches might focus on different key metaphors in Evelyn’s story.
9Annihilation (2018)
Annihilation Is Teeming With Mysteries
Annihilationis based on the novel by Jeff VanderMeer, although Alex Garland is forced to fill in some serious gaps. VanderMeer’s book intentionally presents imagery that’s impossible to visualize, creating a sense of Lovecraftian horror at times.
Although Garland produces some more concrete visuals, he maintainsAnnihilation’s mysterious allure. It’s still hard to understand why certain events take place, or even what exactly they are.Each rewatch reveals another layer to the mystery of the Shimmer.
Jordan Peele’s horror movies have all had a sci-fi angle to them, andUsis no exception. Peele’s sophomore effort isn’t as universally beloved asGet Out,but this may be partly because it produces so many perplexing mysteries that take a while to sink in.
The appearance of the Tethered inUshas been interpreted in many ways, with different critics suggesting that they represent Black Americans, Native Americans, the working class, or the id that lives within us all. It’s worth watchingUsmultiple times to fully consider these ideas, as Peele’s subtle details can point in many directions at once.
7Blade Runner 2049 (2017)
The Legacy Sequel Is As Rich And Complex As The Original
Denis Villeneuve pulled off the impossible withBlade Runner 2049,creating a legacy sequel to one of the most influential sci-fi movies ever that feels worthwhile and just as intelligent.Blade Runner 2049deepens the themes of the original, while introducing several new ideas.
IfBlade Runnerasks what it means to be human,Blade Runner 2049asks whether this distinction should even matter. There are also some fascinating insights into the nature of memory and human connection, both of which benefit from multiple watches.Blade Runner 2099is set to expand the franchise, even though it looked likeBlade Runnerwas destined to remain a standalone movie.
Ex Machinaisn’t the most expansive sci-fi movie, but its limited setting and characters create a pressure-cooker effect, ratcheting up the tension until the bitter end. While it’s immediately striking, it’s also worth watching a second time to gain a deeper appreciation for its intelligent approach to its sci-fi concept.
WatchingEx Machinamultiple times reveals the depth of its discussion of artificial intelligence, but it also highlights the subtleties of the performance.At its heart,Ex Machinais a powerful human drama, the kind that’s well-scripted enough to warrant deeper analysis with each watch.
Paprikaproves that animation is often the perfect medium for sci-fi, creating a rapid-fire succession of mind-boggling imagery that pushes the limits of the genre.Paprikaventures deep into the world of dreams, and its eye-catching imagery is more than just set dressing.
It’s impossible to capture every detail ofPaprikaon a first watch, since each corner of the frame is filled with curious details, left like breadcrumbs for the audience to discover. These details are often tied to the themes of the story, rather than being random miniature artworks. This makes a rewatch rewarding in more ways than one.
Children of Mentakes place in a near future which has been ravaged by population decline, after humanity mysteriously loses the ability to procreate. While Alfonso Cuarón uses long takes and some explosive action sequences to keep things moving, there’s plenty of fascinating worldbuilding in the background.
WatchingChildren of Menfor the first time, it’s easy to get lost in the frantic pace of the story, but watching it multiple times helps reveal the richness of Cuarón’s world. It also gives audiences a chance to pick up on the religious imagery, subtle performances and parallels to our own society.
Moonis a shining example of low-budget sci-fi, crafting a fascinating story using a limited setting and cast. Sam Rockwell plays a dual role as an astronaut and his mysterious double. While there are a few minor supporting roles, the film is placed on Rockwell’s shoulders, and he rises to the challenge.
AlthoughMoonis rather straightforward in some regards, it’s crafted with enough care to ensure that there are layers and details which only reveal themselves on a rewatch.Moonfeels more authentic and immersive than it’s limitations should reasonably allow.
