10 Movies and TV Shows Similar to Life (2015)

Description: Alien, like Life, is a sci-fi horror film where a crew is hunted by a deadly extraterrestrial organism. Both films emphasize the terror of being trapped in space with a hostile creature, blending suspense with body horror. The claustrophobic setting and intense survival narrative are key similarities.

Fact: Alien was directed by Ridley Scott, who also directed The Martian and Blade Runner. The film's tagline, 'In space no one can hear you scream,' is one of the most famous in cinema history. Sigourney Weaver's role as Ellen Ripley became iconic, breaking gender stereotypes in sci-fi.

Description: Event Horizon shares with Life a horror element set in space, where the crew encounters a malevolent force. Both films delve into the psychological horror of isolation and the unknown, with a tense atmosphere and shocking revelations. The dark, foreboding tone is similar.

Fact: Event Horizon was directed by Paul W.S. Anderson, who later directed the Resident Evil series. The film was initially a box office failure but gained a cult following over the years. The original cut was much longer and more graphic, but it was heavily edited by the studio.

Description: Sunshine, like Life, is a sci-fi thriller about a mission to save humanity, set against the deadly backdrop of space. Both films feature a diverse crew facing existential threats, with intense psychological and physical challenges. The visual style of Sunshine, with its stark contrasts of light and dark, mirrors Life's aesthetic.

Fact: Sunshine was directed by Danny Boyle, known for Trainspotting and Slumdog Millionaire. The film's score was composed by John Murphy and Underworld. Cillian Murphy stars as the protagonist, marking his second collaboration with Boyle after 28 Days Later.

Description: Interstellar shares with Life a deep exploration of human survival and the unknown dangers of space. Both films blend hard science with emotional storytelling, examining the psychological and physical challenges faced by astronauts. The visual grandeur of space in Interstellar is reminiscent of Life's stunning cinematography.

Fact: Interstellar was directed by Christopher Nolan, known for Inception and The Dark Knight trilogy. The film's black hole visuals were created with the help of physicist Kip Thorne, leading to new scientific discoveries. Hans Zimmer's score was composed before the film was shot, to inspire the visuals.

Description: Moon shares with Life a claustrophobic and psychological take on space isolation. Both films explore the mental toll of long-term space missions and feature unexpected twists that challenge the protagonist's understanding of reality. The minimalist setting and focus on a single character are similar.

Fact: Moon was directed by Duncan Jones, David Bowie's son. The film was made on a modest budget of $5 million. Sam Rockwell's performance is essentially a one-man show, carrying the entire film.

Description: Prometheus shares with Life a theme of exploration and the dangers of encountering unknown life forms. Both films involve a scientific mission that goes horribly wrong, with existential questions about humanity's place in the universe. The visual style and suspenseful pacing are comparable.

Fact: Prometheus was directed by Ridley Scott, serving as a prequel to Alien. The film explores themes of creation and the origins of life. Noomi Rapace's character performs a self-surgery scene that became one of the film's most memorable moments.

Description: Gravity, like Life, is a tense survival thriller set in space. Both films emphasize the isolation and vulnerability of astronauts when faced with catastrophic events. The visual aesthetics of space in Gravity are strikingly realistic, similar to the immersive experience in Life.

Fact: Gravity was directed by Alfonso Cuarón, who also directed Children of Men and Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. The film was shot using innovative technology to simulate zero gravity. Sandra Bullock's performance earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress.

Description: Arrival, like Life, deals with first contact and the mysteries of extraterrestrial life. Both films focus on communication and the unknown, with a strong emphasis on scientific and linguistic challenges. The atmospheric tension and thought-provoking themes are common to both.

Fact: Arrival was directed by Denis Villeneuve, who also directed Blade Runner 2049 and Dune. The film is based on the short story 'Story of Your Life' by Ted Chiang. Amy Adams' performance was critically acclaimed, though she was not nominated for an Oscar.

Description: Annihilation, like Life, deals with a team encountering a mysterious and potentially deadly alien phenomenon. Both films blend science fiction with horror, focusing on the psychological and physical transformations caused by the unknown. The eerie, surreal atmosphere is a common thread.

Fact: Annihilation was directed by Alex Garland, who also wrote 28 Days Later and Ex Machina. The film is based on the first book of Jeff VanderMeer's Southern Reach Trilogy. The bear creature's haunting scream was created using human vocalizations.

Description: Similar to Life (2015), The Martian is a science fiction film that explores human survival in the harsh environment of space. Both films focus on the ingenuity and resilience of astronauts facing life-threatening situations. The Martian also shares a realistic approach to space travel and scientific problem-solving, much like Life.

Fact: The Martian was directed by Ridley Scott, known for his work on Alien and Blade Runner. Matt Damon's character grows potatoes on Mars using his own feces as fertilizer, a scientifically plausible method. The film won the Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, despite its dramatic themes.