The Growing Need For More Independent Science Fiction Films (and More Sci-Fi in General)

A Look Forward: Prospect, High Life, Dune, and the Future of the Genre

A24 Logo Animation

When someone talks about independent films, most minds tend to focus on more personal, grounded stories being told. Comedy, drama, and horror are the most popular genres among indie audiences. It seems with Blumhouse pumping out more horror movies (and the occasional Whiplash) than anyone can keep up with that they have officially cornered the market on independent horror movies. Then there is A24, the name that many now attribute with greatness after releases such as Room and Moonlight, officially launching them to the forefront of the indie niche with Eighth Grade, Lady Bird, and Mid90s all also being incredibly successful in the last two years. However, one genre that rarely seems to get much attention when it comes to independent films is science fiction.

Before you decide to argue that the previous statement is false, looking at recent *Popular* independent sci-fi movies would bring you to a list looking something along the lines of the following:

Poster for Primer (2004)

Ex Machina (2014)

Looper (2012)

*Cloud Atlas (2012)

Moon (2009)

District 9 (2009)

Primer (2004)

Each of these films other than Cloud Atlas actually did pretty well or have gone on to do very well post-release. Ex Machina, Looper, and District 9 were all financial success as the box office upon release. Even Primer, a movie made on a $7,000 budget made $ 841,926 at the box office.

Out of all of these Cloud Atlas is is without a doubt the least impressive, but is also barely even an independent film with the film having had an almost $130 million budget, as well as being more of a cross between science fiction and fantasy. The film also received more of a mixed response than overwhelmingly positive.