Gareth Edwards’ The Creator follows a future where artificially intelligent beings are at war with humans. John David Washington portrays an ex-Special Forces Agent named Joshua who must find and stop the one responsible for creating these advanced life forms along with a dangerous weapon that could wipe out all of humanity. During a Q&A on X, Edwards previously referenced a number of celebrated titles that were key influences for the upcoming film including Blade Runner and Rain Man:
“There's two sides to it: the world building side and the emotional character side. In terms of world building, I'd say the following films are masterpieces: Apocalypse Now, Baraka, Blade Runner, Akira. Films like Rain Man, The Hit, E.T., and Paper Moon for the emotional side. - GE #TheCreator”
With those in mind, here are 6 other movies to check out if you enjoy the themes found in The Creator.
Ex Machina (2015)
Ex Machina follows a programmer at a major tech company named Caleb who wins a contest to visit his company's CEO, Nathan Bateman, at his private estate. When he arrives, Caleb is tasked with conducting a Turing test to determine the capabilities and consciousness of an AI named Ava. However, it soon becomes evident that Ava is far more self-aware than either man imagined. The film stars Domhnall Gleeson, Oscar Isaac and Alicia Vikander and is the directorial debut of Alex Garland.
As Caleb struggles with the growing bond he feels for Ava, Joshua feels a similar connection to the young AI companion named Alphie he is tasked with ultimately destroying.
District 9 (2009)
Aliens seeking refuge from their dying homeworld arrive on Earth in 1982. These extraterrestrial beings are separated from humans in a designated area known as District 9, and they are overseen by Multi-National United (MNU), a corporation primarily interested in harnessing their advanced technology rather than their well-being. When a company field agent named Wikus van de Merwe becomes infected with a mysterious virus that starts to change his DNA, he has no choice but to seek refuge in the dangerous area of District 9. The film stars Sharlto Copley, Jason Cope and David James and is the feature film debut of Neill Blomkamp.
Both District 9 and The Creator explore the idea of those in power harnessing advanced technology not for helpful purposes, but rather for destructive ends.
Chappie (2015)
Set in the not-so-distant future, Chappie follows a group of regular citizens rebelling against a mechanized police force responsible for maintaining order in the streets. Amid this struggle, a police droid is stolen and reprogrammed, granting it the ability to experience emotions and independent thought. He is referred to as "Chappie” and gradually learns more about human behavior. The authorities ultimately see Chappie as a problem and want to get rid of him at any cost to make sure there are no more robots like him. The film stars District 9’s Sharlto Copley, Dev Patel, Sigourney Weaver and Hugh Jackman and is also directed by Blomkamp.
Chappie and Alphie are two characters that others seek to exploit for destructive intentions, despite their clear capacity to comprehend human emotions and the essence of humanity.
Edge of Tomorrow (2014)
In a world where Earth faces an unrelenting assault from unbeatable alien invaders, no military force stands a chance against them. Edge of Tomorrow follows Major William Cage, an officer with no combat experience, who is given a hopeless assignment that leads to his quick death. To his surprise, Cage becomes trapped in a time loop, replaying the same battle and his own death repeatedly. With each repetition, he gradually improves his combat abilities. He eventually draws himself and his ally, Sergeant Rita Vrataski, closer to the possibility of beating the alien threat. The film stars Tom Cruise, Emily Blunt, Bill Paxton and Brendan Gleeson and is directed by Doug Liman.
Although Edge of Tomorrow does not specifically focus on AI, both films share common elements of captivating sci-fi and thrilling action.
Ghost in the Shell (1995)
Ghost in the Shell follows Major Motoko Kusanagi, a cyborg federal agent, who is hunting a notorious figure known as "The Puppet Master.” The Puppet Master illegally invades the computerized minds of hybrid beings that are part-human and part-machine. As she pursues this hacker who can alter people's identities, Motoko begins to question her own existence and wonder what it would be like to possess more human qualities. Working alongside her partner, Batou, she eventually corners the sinister figure. However, Motoko's curiosity about her own identity takes the case in an unexpected and uncharted direction. The film's voice cast includes Atsuko Tanaka, Akio Otsuka and Iemasa Kayumi and is directed by Mamoru Oshii.
Similar to Joshua, Motoko is also part of an authoritative organization. In her case, also like Chappie's, Motoko undergoes a journey of self-discovery, gradually realizing her potential to comprehend human emotions and define her identity, even as a cyborg.
The Road (2009)
Set in a post-apocalyptic America after a major catastrophic event, The Road follows a man and his young son as they embark on a dangerous journey through the dystopian landscape. Their goal is to preserve the hope of rebuilding civilization. They make their way toward the coastline, relying on scavenged resources for survival while constantly evading terrifying gangs of ruthless humans who show no mercy to those they encounter. The film stars Viggo Mortensen, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Robert Duvall, Guy Pearce and Charlize Theron and is directed by John Hillcoat.
The father-son relationship in The Road is the driving force behind the entire film, and their remarkable chemistry is mesmerizing to watch. This deep paternal bond is reminiscent of the connection Joshua feels for Alphie.
The Creator stars John David Washington, Gemma Chan, Ken Watanabe, Sturgill Simpson, Madeleine Yuna Vozles, Allison Janney, Marc Menchaca and Ralph Ineson.
Don't forget to check out JustWatch’s Popular Page to stay updated on where to find and stream all the current trending titles!