Jealousy, a powerful and often destructive emotion, has been a rich theme in cinema, particularly when combined with the speculative elements of science fiction. This curated list of 10 films delves into how jealousy can manifest in futuristic settings, exploring its impact on relationships, societies, and even entire civilizations. These films not only entertain but also offer a profound look into human nature, making them valuable for anyone interested in the psychological and ethical dimensions of jealousy within a sci-fi context.
Gattaca (1997)
Description: In a society where genetic engineering determines one's social status, jealousy arises from the natural-born Vincent's desire to overcome his genetically inferior status.
Fact: The film's title is an acronym for the four nitrogenous bases of DNA: Guanine, Adenine, Thymine, and Cytosine.
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A.I. Artificial Intelligence (2001)
Description: David, a childlike android, experiences jealousy towards his human "mother's" biological son, leading to a poignant exploration of what it means to be human.
Fact: The film was originally conceived by Stanley Kubrick, but was directed by Steven Spielberg after Kubrick's death.
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The Matrix Reloaded (2003)
Description: In this sequel, the theme of jealousy is explored through the character of Agent Smith, who, after gaining independence from the Matrix, becomes obsessed with Neo, leading to a confrontation driven by envy and a desire for control.
Fact: The film's "Burly Brawl" scene required over 100 Hugo Weaving doubles for the fight sequence.
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The One (2001)
Description: A rogue Multiverse agent kills his alternate universe counterparts to gain their power, driven by jealousy and a desire to be the ultimate version of himself.
Fact: Jet Li performed all his own stunts, showcasing his martial arts skills.
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Solaris (2002)
Description: A psychologist sent to investigate a space station orbiting the planet Solaris encounters manifestations of his own guilt and jealousy, embodied by his deceased wife.
Fact: This is a remake of the 1972 Soviet film by Andrei Tarkovsky, which was itself based on a novel by Stanislaw Lem.
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The Stepford Wives (2004)
Description: This remake explores themes of jealousy and control as men in a seemingly perfect town replace their wives with robotic versions to create an ideal, submissive partner.
Fact: The film features a cameo by Christopher Walken, who played the same character in the original 1975 film.
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Ex Machina (2014)
Description: A programmer is invited by his CEO to administer the Turing test to an intelligent humanoid robot. Jealousy arises as the robot manipulates the programmer's emotions to escape her confinement.
Fact: The film was shot in a single location, a house in Norway, to keep the budget low.
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The Prestige (2006)
Description: Two rival magicians' obsession with outdoing each other leads to jealousy, deceit, and a tragic end, all set against the backdrop of Victorian-era technology and magic.
Fact: The film was inspired by a novel by Christopher Priest, and the title refers to the final part of a magic trick.
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Moon (2009)
Description: Sam Bell, nearing the end of his three-year stint on the moon, discovers a clone of himself, leading to a complex interplay of jealousy, identity, and existential dread.
Fact: Duncan Jones, the director, is the son of David Bowie, who provided the film's soundtrack.
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Her (2013)
Description: Theodore's relationship with an AI operating system, Samantha, stirs jealousy in his ex-wife and in himself as he grapples with the evolving nature of their connection.
Fact: The voice of Samantha was provided by Scarlett Johansson, who was cast after Samantha Morton was replaced.
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