We continue to binge watch Netflix as the social distancing continues – and as we hear the daily news it often feels like we’re living through a sci-fi plot…

It’s easy to spot the Science Fiction blockbusters available to us on Streaming right now – and by now if you haven’t seen ‘A Quiet Place’ by now then that’s the first, next thing you should do after reading this (maybe wait until dark…)

However Netflix is also infamous for just throwing cash at sci-fi projects, that perhaps should have stayed on the drawing board – and into this list goes The Cloverfield Paradox, Extinction and The Titan – all stinkers denied theatrical releases (rightly so) and now polluting what is also possibly one of the best and richest sources of extremely smart, and very independent Sci Fi films available on streaming right now.

Science Fiction – like the best episodes of Star Trek or The Twilight Zone (and lately, Black Mirror) – should be big on new ideas and challenging story lines.

I’m assuming most viewers will already have seen some of the more well known films that may have made this list -like District 9 and Robocop ( the original..)

So, here are my suggestions, submitted for your approval, of 7 Sci-Fi movies that are lean, mean and there to make you think. Sometimes low-budget – but all with high ideals and aspirations beyond their costs. I’ve especially gone as well for examples that show off great visuals – it’s often said that lower budgets make for more creative film making.

In no particular order….

Ex Machina

The first of 2 movies by British writer and director Alex Garland – longtime collaborator with cinematic legend Danny Boyle. Garland wrote 28 days later – a fantastic horror that updated the’ last man on earth’ concept, and was memorable for being light on big budget action scenes and big on strong visuals . ‘Sunshine’ was bigger budget, and had a much larger star cast Ex Machina is very much in a similar style (albeit without much of the gruesomeness this time) It features 3 great actors and is truly sci-fi to its core – a musing on the nature of artificial life, man as God, the misuse and responsibilities of new technology. It’s CGI effects are superb, and it often feels like a full length, bigger budget Black Mirror.

I am Mother

Filmed in Australia, by first time director Grant Sputore, I am Mother is a fantastic mix of influences – 2001, Terminator and the video game Portal to name a few.

It’s a post-apocalyptic story of a girl and her robot, and is a very carefully observed, and beautifully realised film that makes the very best of its lower budget – it looks great, and so it should – the film makers got the absolute best out of Weta Workshop (of Lord of the Rings fame) to build the robot in the title.

I Origins

Something of a hidden gem I Origins, directed by Mike Cahill, is not a widely known film, and definitely not as ‘sci-fi’ in look as many others on the list. But it’s themes – the misuse of new technologies and science,the nature and origin of life, and the religions that guide us. There’s also something of a love story woven into the plot, and its a more quiet and thoughtful film – but no less powerful when the climax is reached.

Limitless

Limitless, by Neil Burger and starring Oscar nominee Bradley Cooper actually had a theatrical release in 2011, and was successful enough to spawn a TV show. Like a lot of the best sci-fi on this list, its set in a very real world, virtually identical to our own with the slight fantastic addition of a new wonder drug that can unlock within the human mind almost limitless potential. Bradley Cooper is our ‘anti-hero’ who trials the drug – cue some absolutely mind-blowing (sorry) visual effects as his experience of this is realised on screen. It feels like a updated HG Wells morality tale – a modern fable where you can almost predict whether or not the protagonists actions will catch up to him…or not.

Annihilation

Annihilation is the second Alex Garland film here, and another Netflix exclusive movie which premiered on the platform. In the run up to release I actually followed the movie with some anticipation as it had so many fantastic sci-fi / horror ingredients wrapped up into it I couldn’t wait until it released.

I’m not saying it’s perfect, and perhaps that anticipation was too high – the second film of a great promising director can be a challenge. It has had mixed responses, but having now given it repeated viewings i’m definitely a fan.

By no means is it an easy-watch – it’s themes take care of that – the fear of the unknown is ever present in the ‘Cosmic Horror’ style of H P Lovecraft – yet even at it’s most gruesome in concept (it echoes John Carpenter and Stephen King ) there is beauty to be found in how the Alien intelligence twists and mutates the landscape in which it has landed.

Looper

Looper is possibly the most mainstream entry here – and perhaps the most divisive – my students will know i’m a huge fan, and love everything about the movie. But both director Rian Johnson, and actor Bruce Willis have done their fair share in the past to upset fans (especially those of both Star Wars and Die Hard franchises…) However, if you, like me enjoyed The Last jedi and Knives out for its bold directions, and witty storytelling – then theres much to like in this clever time travel film.

It plays like a cross between Goodfellas and The Terminator – mob bosses have a time machine and can organise kills from the future – obviously this set up is doomed to failure – but the genius move of casting two different actors to play the same hitman (if you can buy the idea) is brilliant. I also love the slightly dystopian mid-west America this is set in – it’s a world that is some way behind, but definitely heading in the direction of Blade Runner.

Circle

Another super low budget entry – and a film that borders on horror, Circle is similar to other ‘trapped in a room’ movies like Cube and Escape Room. It’s almost like an extended episode of The Twilight Zone, but it’s clever idea, and sharp commentary on society and stereotypes easily fills its quick running time, and will leave you thinking afterwards. Not to be confused with THE Circle – starring Emma Watson as an annoying girl trapped in google.