Science Fiction Has Lost Its Way

When it comes to entertainment, science fiction is by far my favourite genre. I grew up watching gems like Contact, Blade Runner, Back to the Future, Terminator 2, The Matrix, etc. As a child learning science fundamentals at school, these works felt magical to me. They made me think about general phenomena and question the stuff I was learning at school. Consequently, they motivated me to learn more and stoked my curiosity.

But then, sometime during my teenage years, I developed what I would call “scientific inaccuracy dissonance”. I was essentially being put off by works of science fiction that were not scientifically accurate (which happens to be almost all of science fiction).

Eventually, this “disease” spread to other entertainment genres as well, where I would spend more time entertaining thoughts like “I wonder what the protagonist was thinking when he chose this expression for this scene?” than suspend my disbelief in art and enjoy the show.

Rather unwillingly, I gave up and stopped watching movies altogether for almost a decade. In the meantime, I had enough to do with the sciences as a professional working in the field. So, I did not complain much about my challenges with perceiving art.

A few years back, I loosened up and gave it another shot. As you might have guessed, it had to be science fiction. To my surprise, I was able to suspend my disbelief of art once again and enjoy the movie (The Martian)! This was it; I was back at it big time. I started making long lists of movies to watch and science fiction was at the centre of it all.

After watching many great works of art, something strange dawned on me. Compared to other entertainment genres, science fiction has changed. Impressive science fiction artwork was and is still being made; there is no doubt about it. But it feels like there are fundamental challenges plaguing the genre’s evolution.

As someone who is an ardent science fiction fan and who pays attention to detail when it comes to depictions of science, I feel that I have a thing or two to say about the challenges plaguing contemporary science fiction. I will start with what sticks out to me like a sore thumb.

The Imposter Problem

Let me start with a naïve-sounding question:

What makes science fiction science fiction?

Well, I would say that science fiction involves works of fiction that are fuelled/inspired by science. Sure, the Titanic (the ship) was an impressive engineering achievement at the time, but you wouldn’t call Titanic (the movie) a work of science fiction. Yet, in contemporary science fiction, impostors have started to show up and I feel that this is adulterating the genre.

Imagine a movie where a segregated ship crew is being hunted down by a strange creature. Did you by chance imagine a ship crew in space? Well, that’s the catch. Science fiction is so saturated with space crews being hunted by strange creatures that is the first scenario that typically comes to mind that fits this description.

The above description might very well fit a survival-horror movie, where the ship crew is in water, or the crew is manning an abandoned station or mine on a far-off island. My point here is that once you look past the smoke and mirrors of the setting, the cliché horror elements that play out have little to do with science fiction!

Now, don’t get me wrong here; I am not attacking Alien. That movie is a classic for a reason. But after Alien, we had the Alien clones. Then, we had the clones of the clones. By now, we are seeing (probably) tenth-generation clones that barely feature science (hence the impostor tag) and are largely selling a formula-driven trope for maximum profit. And I am not even stepping into the poorly written clichés and cringy plots.

You might think that this problem only affects segregated crews. But what about the movie where the rebels aim to free their planet from the oppressive imperialist race? How is this different from an apartheid war happening in a random nation?

I admit that there is a novelty to fictional races that look and live differently from our own. But if the prime narrative is driven by politics and war with little science at play, we might as well classify this movie as a “fantasy” movie and enjoy it.

You might feel that I am being petty and am gatekeeping science fiction here. Before you throw me under the bus, let me tell you that I have no qualms with a good movie, regardless of the genre. But when publishers bring their run-of-the-mill formula tropes under the guise of science fiction by introducing a “classic” sci-fi setting, I do have an issue with that.

While we are on the topic of run-of-the-mill formula tropes, I might as well address the elephant in the room.

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“Will You Let Me Rest in Peace Already?”

Let me start this one with yet another naïve-sounding question:

What makes a classic movie a classic?

Sure, a classic movie has to be good. But it does not stop with being good; it delivers a cultural impact that earns it long-lasting popularity over generations. Now, that is something truly special.

Many of the science fiction works that I fondly remember from my childhood like Terminator 2, Start Trek, etc., are arguably classics today. They are truly special and have a healthy fan following.

But wherever there is a following/interest, there is also something else lurking: a potential market. And that my dear reader, is where the insufferable remakes and sequels come from. Big publishers buy rights to the science fiction “classics” and try to ride their laurels to market “fresh” sequels and remakes.

While good sequels and remakes show up from time to time, most of these “fresh” franchise movies feature, as you might have guessed, run-of-the-mill formula tropes. At this point, we have to really wonder why these run-of-the-mill formula tropes exist. If I hate them and you hate them, who is watching this stuff?

Well, the truth is that run-of-the-mill formula tropes sell! The majority of viewers are happy to enjoy a predictable plot with a couple of subverted expectations that ultimately lead to a happy ending.

If the majority enjoys such movies, why don’t you and I also enjoy such movies? You see, there’s a catch to this. The majority that enjoys such movies likely enjoys a broad spectrum of sub-par movies. These folks do not necessarily pay attention to the details. As long as the movie is not complete garbage, they are happy to go along with the ride.

Any long-time fan, on the other hand, expects a lot from a sequel or remake of her classic movie. Naturally, the run-of-the-mill formula tropes don’t make the cut, and turn out to be sub-par experiences.

What, then, is the solution to this issue? Well, a solution that comes to mind is to let the classic franchise rest in peace. As a big-time Terminator fan, I made the blunder of watching Terminator: Dark Fate, and am still traumatized. “Why don’t they let the franchise rest in peace?!” is the first thought that came to my mind.

Besides the run-of-the-mill formula tropes, Terminator: Dark Fate also features another major issue that is plaguing science fiction, which will be my next topic of discussion.

Who Asked for Fake Diversity?

I know that I am treading on thin ice when discussing topics such as diversity. So, let me start with the claim that I am all for diversity. But why does it feel all but natural in the contemporary science fiction scene?

I do appreciate that all genders and races are being represented more fairly in media and movies today compared to, say, ten years back. But my observation is that forcing an unnatural stereotype onto characters turns almost everyone off, including the stereotype the producers and publishers are aiming to appeal to.

Coming back to Terminator: Dark Fate, I do appreciate the fact that the movie tries to portray strong and proficient female characters. But it does it in such an unnatural manner that it feels fake. As a result, the movie does not appeal to me. By not appealing, it fails its legacy.

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On the other hand, people of other genders that I personally know are not sold on the fake stereotypes tacked on by Terminator: Dark Fate as well. Before you think that I am bullying the Terminator franchise here, let me clarify that this issue affects many contemporary science fiction movies.

Ever since Disney purchased Star Wars, the franchise has been marred by a similar issue. Why is this happening? And how can it be solved?

Again, I am all for diversity. But please make it feel authentic. If I had to wager, I would say that these movies are being made by people who are confident that they understand what diversity means and how the various genders and races should be represented. The end product says that these movie makers have a very poor understanding of how different races and genders feel they should be represented in movies.

The issue of clueless and over-confident movie makers does not stop with the topic of diversity, unfortunately.

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Are You Clueless and Over-confident about Science? Great! You’re hired!

I imagine bad contemporary science fiction movies starting in some creative person’s head like this:

“Artificial Intelligence (AI) is all the hype now. What if I make a movie about an AI uprising against humanity? Oh, I know. Let me add time-travel to it as well. Now that has to be a box-office hit!”

To this, my mind goes like so:

“Oh no! Please stop! You just described the setting for Terminator. You are not nearly as creative as you think you are. We already have stellar science fiction movies involving time travel, time-loops, AI-uprising, AI-boyfriend/-girlfriend, imperialist alien empires, alien creature hunting segregated crew, predators hunting humans, aliens hunting predators, dystopic cyberpunk future, parallel dimensions, inter-galactic space travel, etc.

I am not discouraging you from making science fiction movies involving these tropes. But please recognize the fact that we already have stellar works featuring these tropes. If you feel that you need to make a movie in this space, only make one if you can bring something new to the table.

Do not make science fiction a boring genre. There is so much potential here. Think outside the box; be venturous; figure out ways of doing this without succumbing to profit pressure from big corporations.”

At this point, I feel like this essay has turned into a downright rant. So, let me pivot into something more positive (I am aiming for a happy ending here; please stay with me).

There is Hope!

Although I have been largely critical of contemporary science fiction so far, I wish to and must recognize the amazing work that is presently being done. Movies like Primer (which is quite old by now), The Martian, and Tenet give me hope.

I intend to take nothing away from great science fiction work. But at the same time, as an ardent science fiction fan, when I see run-of-the-mill formula tropes masquerading as science fiction movies or folks who have a poor understanding of science and science fiction deliver sub-par experiences, I feel obligated to defend the genre.

Science fiction was never really the most popular genre, generally speaking. With things as they are, I fear that it might fall further down the pile. My humble wish is for science fiction to become a more popular genre that features authentic artworks which instil curiosity in generations of young children to come!

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Further reading that might interest you: 

• Can You Really Stop Time? (Sci-Fi Style)
• To Infinity And Beyond? – What Is The Final Destination?
• How To Bear Responsibility For Artificial Intelligence?