Cyberpunk is a subgenre of sci-fi defined by the Oxford dictionary as being “set in a lawless subculture of an oppressive society dominated by computer technology.” Narratives tend to focus on rebellion set in dystopian futures where advanced technology coexists with social decay and corporate control.
While these themes have been prevalent within the sci-fi genre for decades, it wasn’t until 1980 that the term ‘cyberpunk’ was coined, and it became a distinct genre of its own.
The themes of rebelling against authority and corporate dominance mirrored the subject matter of much of the music found in the burgeoning punk scene of the time. As a result, aspects of the punk attitude and esthetics found itself incorporated into the cyberpunk works of the 1980s, (albeit with a futuristic ‘cyber’ twist)
Below, we revisit 10 of the best movies from the 1980s that we believe fit into the cyberpunk subgenre of film based on their aesthetic, themes, and general attitude.
10 Cherry 2000 (1988)
Cherry 2000 sees adisillusioned man on a personal quest to replace his beloved, broken robot wife. It was an early example of a movie that explores the nature of genuine human connection in a world where technology can replace human interaction. Despite struggling at the box office and receiving mixed reviews from critics, it was praised for its production design, cyberpunk esthetics, and innovative premise.
Cherry 2000 Juxtaposes Sleek, High-Tech Urban Environments with Gritty, Lawless Wastelands.
Perhaps not as synonymous with the cyberpunk subgenre as some others on this list, it still incorporates a slew of the genre’s tropes, from its neon-tinged dystopian environment to its exploration of a tech-dependent society in which many human roles have been replaced by AI. Combining an engaging adventure narrative with thought-provoking social commentary all with a dollop of '80s campy charm, Cherry 2000 is considered by many as hidden a gem of the genre. Stream on Prime Video
10 Underrated Neo-Noir Movies From the '80s
Neo-noir is film noir modernized that came after the '40s and '50s. The '80s gave us some of the best neo-noir films, but many are highly underrated.9 Burst City (1982)
Oozing in attitude, Burst City is a Japanese dystopian musical about several rival punk gangs as they fight amongst themselves and clash with oppressive authorities and corporate forces. Focusing more on atmosphere over plot, its futuristic industrial landscape, hyperkinetic, fast-paced, high-octane editing and punk aesthetics were considered extremely innovative for Japanese cinema at the time.
Burst City Encapsulates the '70s/’80s Japanese Punk Scene and Transports it into a Dystopian Future
Burst City showcases the music of a number of Japan’s leading punk bands at the time like The Roosters, The Rockers, and The Stalin. Members of the bands actually acted in the movie, and it is considered a defining film of Japan’s punk rock subculture. Rent on AppleTV
8 Liquid Sky (1982)
Liquid Sky tells the story of a group of aliens who visit earth on the hunt for heroin but discover that the human orgasm provides an even more satisfying substance for their use. Predominantly set in the underground nightclubs of New York, it’s known for its avant-garde visual style and strong cyberpunk aesthetic and has been credited with inspiring the electroclash club scene.
Liquid Sky Provides a Unique Commentary on Drug Culture and Sexual Politics
The movie was co-written by Anne Carlisle who also acted in the movie as a bisexual androgynous male model. It was ahead of its time when it comes to its exploration of sexual politics and its challenging of traditional gender roles and sexual identity and has since developed a strong cult following in the sci-fi and LGBTQ+ communities.
7 The Running Man (1987)
The Running Man
- Release Date
- November 13, 1987
- Director
- Paul Michael Glaser
1987’s The Running Manstarring Arnold Schwarzenegger, adapted from the dystopian novel by Stephen King, presents viewers with a future society where a deadly game show becomes a disturbing form of entertainment.
The Running Man Explores Cyberpunk Themes of Technological Tyranny and Mass Media Control
The neon-hued costumes and visually striking, futuristic setting, exemplify the Cyberpunk aesthetic to a tee. It is not just the visual style, though, that makes the movie so quintessentially cyberpunk. Its themes of rebellion and corporate control through media manipulation and technology bear all the hallmarks of the genre which rose to prominence during the 1980s. Rent on AppleTV
10 Unconventional '90s Sci-Fi Movies Worth Revisiting
These movies eschewed traditional cliches, broke new ground, and challenged the notion that sci-fi movies had to adhere to established formulas.6 Brainstorm (1983)
Brainstorm
- Release Date
- September 30, 1983
- Main Genre
- Sci-Fi
Released in 1983 and starring Christopher Walken and Nathalie Wood (in her final role), Brainstorm follows a group of researchers who invent a computer system that allows for human memories and sensations to be recorded from a person's mind and converted to tape for others to experience. Unfortunately, the technology ends up in the dangerous hands of those who intend to use it for nefarious military purposes.
Brainstorm Proved to Be Highly Influential on The Cyberpunk Genre
Despite not quite conforming to the typical esthetics of the genre, the idea of the digital capture and playback of other people’s thoughts and experiences is a concept the has been explored in countless cyberpunk works since including Strange Days and Johnny Mnemonic. While not strictly cyberpunk in every definition of the word, it’s still proven to be highly influential within the genre leading some to label it as cyberpunk-adjacent. Stream on Roku
5 Repo Man (1984)
Set in a dystopian future L.A., Emilio Estevez stars as a punk-rocking, car repo man who gets caught up in an alien invasion plot. The movie was a huge success with critics scoring a near-perfect 98% on Rotten Tomatoes and has garnered a strong cult following who continue to enjoy the movie to this day. In particular, it was praised for Estevez’s charismatic performance, its creative premise, and its dark humor and send-up of consumerism.
Repo Man is the Quintessential Cyberpunk Experience
Combining humor with elements of sci-fi in a gritty, futuristic environment set to a hardcore punk soundtrack, Repo Man has become synonymous with the genre. Its story of rebellion against oppressive government agencies and corporate bigwigs resonated with fans, cementing its place as one of the most loved and revered cyberpunk movies of all time. Stream on Netflix
4 Tetsuo: The Iron Man (1989)
Tetsuo: The Iron Man is a Japanese sci-fi horror that tells the story of a man who, after developing a metal-oriented sexual obsession, begins to grow metal extensions from various parts of his body. While undergoing this transformation, he begins to develop an unexplained connection to a hit-and-run victim who is experiencing the same ‘metal’morphosis.
Tetsuo: The Iron Man Merges Cyberpunk Aesthetic With Surreal, Nightmarish Imagery
Critics lauded the film’s unique and innovative approach to body horror, with many citing it as one of the most important Japanese sci-fi films of all time. The stark black-and-white cinematography and quick-cut editing creates a frenetic, visceral, and disturbing atmosphere that lingers in the minds of viewers long after the credits have rolled. Stream AMC+
3 Brazil
Brazil (1985)
- Release Date
- December 18, 1985
- Main Genre
- Sci-Fi
Directed by Monty Python member Terry Gilliam, this dystopian black comedy satirizes state surveillance, corporate greed, state capitalism, societal bureaucracy, and our over reliance on technology. It was a huge hit with critics, scoring a near-perfect 98% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Brazil Has Become Synonymous With The Cyberpunk Genre
Brazil has developed a strong cult following over the years. Its uniquely imaginative visuals full of claustrophobic environments, cyberpunk costume design and pervasive surveillance and technology all contribute towards cementing its place as one of the quintessential cyberpunk movies.
2 Akira (1988)
Akira (1988)
- Release Date
- July 16, 1988
- Cast
- Mitsuo Iwata , Nozomu Sasaki , Mami Koyama , Taro Ishida , Tesshô Genda , Mizuho Suzuki , Tatsuhiko Nakamura , Fukue Itō , Kazuhiro Shindō
Adapted from Katsuhiro Otomo's 1982 manga of the same name, Akira tells the story of a biker gang leader and his childhood friend, who has telekinetic powers, as they take on an oppressive government. Set in the sprawling, futuristic, dystopian metropolis of Neo-Tokyo, Akira is a beautifully animated piece of work that won the hearts of critics and audiences alike for its groundbreaking cyberpunk aesthetics and compelling, thought-provoking narrative.
Akira Is One of the Most Iconic Anime Movies Ever Made
It is, arguably, one of the most influential movies of all time and is credited with paving the way for the popularity of anime franchises like Pokémon and Naruto. It has left an indelible mark in pop culture, with Kanye West citing it as a major influence on his work and clips from the movie being featured in Michael and Janet Jackson’s music video for Scream.
Additionally, references and homages to the iconic anime can be seen in the likes of Rick and Morty, South Park, Ready Player One, and video games Cyberpunk 2077 and Deus EX: Mankind Divided. Stream on Hulu
1 Blade Runner (1982)
Set in a dystopian future LA, the film follows a down-and-out cop (played by Harrison Ford) as he embarks on a life-altering mission to track down some advanced rogue synthetic humans known as replicants. The movie tackles a numerous ethical and philosophical questions surrounding AI. These dilemmas are all the more relevant today as technology has advanced and we find ourselves grappling with similar concerns and debates (via Sky News).
Blade Runner Offers One of the Most Visually Striking and Memorable Cyberpunk Settings of All Time
The futuristic urban dystopia dominated by towering skyscrapers, urban decay, and moody, neon-hued lighting offers a level of detail rarely captured on film. Whether it’s the juxtaposition of the sleek flying cars against some of the older-looking clunky machinery found at crowd level, or the Asian-influenced esthetics of the street markets, every detail is meticulously planned and put in place to create an utterly immersive cyberpunk setting and cinematic experience. Rent on Prime Video
Comments
Post a Comment