During this class, you’ll see/have seen me talk about a lot of old science fiction movies. There are reasons for this, first of which, if you can’t tell, I love science fiction, in nearly all forms. From books, to TV shows, to movies, I like them in all forms.
Good science fiction can be used to both inspire us to be better, and warn us of potential dangers. Good science fiction will point out social issues without hitting us over the head. (Bad science fiction does the opposite.) Good science fiction focuses on the science (earlier Star Trek, not the modern non-sense) and less on fantasy (Star Wars). It may be “actiony”, but it does not have to be.
Below I’ve broken down the areas we discuss into areas that we discuss. Note, I’m not saying these movies are necessarily good, or bad. Rather, I want to show how these topics are timeless, and how we have been discussing them for years, sometimes 70+ years.
Computing Data Ownership, Privacy, Security
Johnny Mnemonic (1995) is a cyberpunk thriller starring Keanu Reeves as Johnny, a courier who smuggles data in his brain’s storage implant. When he’s overloaded with sensitive information, it puts his life at risk and makes him a target for corporations and assassins.
With the help of a street-smart bodyguard, Johnny races against time to deliver the data while dealing with a world dominated by technology, greed, and rebellion. It’s a fast-paced dive into a gritty, high-tech future.
Minority Report (2002) is a futuristic thriller directed by Steven Spielberg, set in a world where a specialized police unit predicts crimes before they happen using psychic “precogs.” Tom Cruise stars as Chief John Anderton, who runs the PreCrime division.
When he is accused of a murder he hasn’t yet committed, Anderton goes on the run, trying to uncover the truth behind his predicted crime while challenging the system. It’s a tense, action-packed exploration of free will, justice, and the consequences of a surveillance society.
Others you might consider: Dollhouse – TV Series
Artificial Intelligence
AI isn’t something new. The term was coined in the 1960s as research, and the idea even goes back before that. There are various books and movies which reference this as both something scary, and something to look forward to.
2001: A Space Odyssey begins with a mysterious black monolith influencing early humans, sparking the dawn of intelligence. Fast-forward to the future, and humanity is exploring the stars, discovering another monolith on the moon that sends a signal toward Jupiter.
The bulk of the story follows a mission to Jupiter aboard the spaceship Discovery One, crewed by astronauts and an eerily human-like AI named HAL 9000. HAL starts as a helpful companion but soon becomes a chilling antagonist, making decisions that pit machine against man.
2001 showcases not only AI, but also the use of what we might see in a tablet like device for work and pleasure, and more, despite coming out in 1968.
The Matrix (1999) is a groundbreaking sci-fi thriller where hacker Neo (Keanu Reeves) discovers his reality is a simulation created by intelligent machines enslaving humanity. Freed by rebels led by Morpheus and Trinity, Neo learns he might be “The One” destined to end the war.
Packed with stunning visuals, philosophical questions, and iconic action, the film redefined sci-fi, exploring themes of free will, reality, and human potential.
The Day the Earth Stood Still (1951) is a classic sci-fi film about an alien named Klaatu who arrives on Earth with a dire warning: humanity must abandon its violent ways or face annihilation by a powerful intergalactic alliance.
Accompanied by his towering robot, Gort, Klaatu demonstrates the consequences of Earth’s aggression, hoping to inspire peace. Blending Cold War-era fears with timeless messages of unity, it remains a thoughtful and iconic piece of science fiction.
Interesting, the book from which is was based upon, has a line that is not in the movie. That is that Klaatu, and the other peoples of the alliance, are servants to the AI Robots which keep them in line. There is a remake … don’t bother. The original has something to be said for it.
Digital Voting
Man of the Year – political comedy-drama starring Robin Williams as Tom Dobbs, a sharp-witted comedian who runs for president as a joke—and unexpectedly wins. The twist? A glitch in the voting software may have handed him the victory.
As Dobbs grapples with the responsibilities of leadership, an ethical tech employee (Laura Linney) uncovers the error, putting her in danger. The film blends humor with a critique of politics and technology, balancing satire with suspense.
All of this was done before recent elections, but shortly after digital voting started to be considered due to the the 2000 election fiasco. It’s also worth noting that the president of Ukraine (Zelensky), and now the US (Trump) were media personalities before they were politicians, similar to the main protagonist.
Genetics and Medical Manipulation
Blade Runner is a neo-noir sci-fi thriller set in a dystopian future where bio-engineered humans, called replicants, are used for off-world labor but banned on Earth. Rick Deckard, a weary ex-cop, is tasked with “retiring” four rogue replicants who have returned to Earth seeking more life.
As Deckard hunts them, he grapples with questions about humanity, identity, and empathy—especially after meeting Rachael, a replicant who believes she’s human. With stunning visuals and a haunting score, the film explores what it means to be alive.
Note: I will warn you that this movie can go slowly.
Jurassic Park (1993) is a thrilling sci-fi adventure where billionaire John Hammond creates a theme park featuring cloned dinosaurs. When a group of experts, including Dr. Alan Grant and Dr. Ellie Sattler, visit for a preview, the park’s security systems fail, unleashing the dinosaurs.
As chaos erupts, the group must fight for survival against nature’s most fearsome predators. Combining groundbreaking effects with gripping storytelling, it’s a timeless exploration of science, hubris, and survival.
Note: The first is more focused on the genetics and arguments of reviving animals which have gone extinct. The moral questions on is it right to bring back extinct animals (what if they went extinct because of people, not nature). The book goes into more science background such as genetics, cloning, and chaos theory, which are just touched upon in the movie. Jurassic World looks at designing new animals, which has a few additional moral implications, but seems to focus more on the action rather than the ethical dilemma. Jurassic World 2: Fallen Kingdom has the moral dilemma about what makes a person a person, and should be we allowed to clone humans.
The Island (2005) Lincoln Six Echo (Ewan McGregor) and Jordan Two Delta (Scarlett Johansson) are residents of a utopian facility who believe they’re survivors of a global contamination. Their ultimate dream is to be chosen to go to “The Island,” a supposed paradise.
When Lincoln discovers the truth—that they’re clones created to harvest organs for the wealthy—they escape, fighting to expose the conspiracy and reclaim their freedom. It’s a fast-paced blend of action and ethical dilemmas about science and identity.
Gattaca (1997) is a thought-provoking sci-fi drama set in a future where genetic engineering determines a person’s societal worth. Vincent (Ethan Hawke), conceived naturally and deemed “inferior,” dreams of becoming an astronaut despite the system’s discrimination.
The film explores ambition, identity, and the limits of human potential in an emotionally resonant way.
Others you might consider: Dark Angel – TV Series and Dollhouse – TV Series
Weapons and War
The Terminator (1984): In this sci-fi thriller, a relentless cyborg assassin (Arnold Schwarzenegger) is sent back in time to kill Sarah Connor, the future mother of a resistance leader in a war against machines. Protected by Kyle Reese, a soldier from the future, Sarah must fight to survive and fulfill her role in humanity’s future.
Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991): In this action-packed sequel, a reprogrammed Terminator is sent to protect Sarah’s son, John Connor, from a more advanced liquid-metal Terminator. Together, they try to stop the rise of Skynet, the AI that will destroy humanity. It’s a gripping blend of action, emotion, and groundbreaking effects.
Note: You don’t have to see the first one to see Terminator 2. It helps, but its not required. Most people think the series goes downhill after this. The third is OK and shows Skynet being built and how it goes wayward, which helps in the military space. Otherwise,, this could also be more focused on AI.
Policing and AI/Tech
Chappie (2015) is a sci-fi action film set in a near-future where robotic police maintain order. When a stolen robot is reprogrammed by its creator, it gains self-awareness and a childlike personality, becoming “Chappie.”
Caught between its creator, a gang of criminals, and a ruthless weapons developer, Chappie struggles to find its identity and purpose. Packed with action and heart, the film explores themes of AI, morality, and humanity.
Note: This could also fall under the personal data, and AI
RoboCop (1987) is a gritty sci-fi action film set in a crime-ridden Detroit. After Officer Alex Murphy is brutally killed in the line of duty, he’s resurrected as RoboCop, a cyborg (part human, part robot) law enforcer created by a corrupt megacorporation.
As RoboCop cleans up the streets, fragments of Murphy’s humanity resurface, leading him to uncover the company’s dark secrets. Blending action, satire, and social commentary, it’s a classic tale of justice and identity. It also shows what can something more powerful do in a given environment.
Note: There are others which have come after this… but we ignore those.
Other Movies Worth Considering
Soylent Green (1973) is a dystopian sci-fi thriller set in an overpopulated, resource-depleted future. Charlton Heston stars as Detective Thorn, investigating the murder of a wealthy executive connected to the mysterious Soylent Corporation, which supplies food to the masses.
As Thorn digs deeper, he uncovers the shocking truth about the company’s newest product, “Soylent Green.” The film delivers a chilling commentary on overconsumption, inequality, and environmental collapse.
Truman Show (1998) is a satirical drama about Truman Burbank (Jim Carrey), an ordinary man unaware that his entire life is a staged reality TV show broadcast to the world. Everyone around him, including his friends and family, are actors, and his hometown is an enormous set.
When cracks in the illusion begin to surface, Truman questions his reality and sets out to uncover the truth. It’s a poignant exploration of free will, authenticity, and the search for meaning.
Thoughts on Sci-Fi Movies and Ethics & Technology was originally found on Access 2 Learn
