IN CELEBRATION OF
Cyberpunk
Cyberpunk is a sub-genre of science-fiction that's typically set in a dystopian future and primarily focuses on 'low-life and high-tech', the undesirables of society and the advancement of technology.
With the genre's tone drawing from film noir and its stories featuring antagonists like artificial intelligence and mega-corporations, it's easier to see why Cyberpunk has remained relevant over the years.
Taking its initial form as a literary movement, the origins of Western Cyberpunk can be found in the New Wave science fiction movement of the 60s and 70s, where authors created stories that explored the impact of drug culture, technology and the sexual revolution.
Of these works, Philip K. Dick's novel, Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? , became one of the standouts of the genre and was loosely adapted in 1982 by Ridley Scott in one of the most iconic and notable Cyberpunk films of all time, Blade Runner.
Keanu Reeves and Hugo Weaving
on the set of 'The Matrix'
Since the 80s, Cyberpunk has continued to produce famous works like Akira and The Matrix that have become major influences to other films from the genre and different visual and literary mediums.
And from 2017, we've seen the genre have a modern revival due to games like Cyberpunk 2077 and Deus Ex and TV shows like Altered Carbon and Mr Robot. Synthwave has found its influence in pop music and techwear, a fashion style that draw heavily from Cyberpunk media, has gained more recognition over the years.
So with TV shows like Neuromancer and Blade Runner 2099 set to release this year, it feels like the perfect time to get into Cyberpunk and delve into its history of illustrious works.
And with AI technology becoming more prevalent in our society, the dystopian future once written about in novels and films seems to now be our current reality. Scary, isn't it.
Recommended Watchlist
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Tron: Legacy (2010)
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Blade Runner (1982)
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Blade Runner 2049 (2017)
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Minority Report (2002)
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Upgrade (2018)
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Akira (1988)
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Ghost in the Shell (1995)
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Westworld (1973)
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Alphaville (1965)
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Strange Days (1995)
Check out our list on Letterboxd and the BFI's recommendations!
Learn more about the genre from these YouTube Videos below