The greatest sci-fi movie ever made, according to science

(Credits: Far Out / Warner Bros)

Tue 14 January 2025 20:45, UK

When watching movies of the science-fiction persuasion, we can often feel overcome by doubt and questions relating to the logic of the story world. Can people really cry in space? Would astronauts be able to confirm the likelihood of this happening? But we put our nagging uncertainty aside and try to enjoy what’s happening, even if there are moments that slightly take us out of the action due to their skewed scientific reasoning. But, have no fear; there is no reason to worry about this anymore, as NASA themselves have confirmed the most accurate sci-fi movie of all time, describing one iconic project from the 1990s.

Films like Gravity, Alien and even Wall-E have opened discussions over the years on the future of humanity itself and the possibility of these stories actually happening, terrifying audiences with their predictions about the demise of planet Earth and the rules of a society living in space. However, while some of these plot lines take liberties with the logic of these worlds and manipulate the rules of science under the protection of creative license, there are some that try to maintain a sense of reality, with NASA praising the 1997 film Gattaca for doing so.

Gattaca, directed by Andrew Niccol, follows a genetically inferior man called Vincent, who takes on the identity of a paraplegic to travel to space with the Gattaca Aerospace Corporation. Starring Ethan Hawke and Uma Thurman, the film was praised by scientists for a plausible insight into a future shaped by genetic engineering, highlighting a world where parents can control the traits and genetic makeup of their children.

Despite the fact that these concepts seem rather outlandish for 1997, it has only grown in relevance over the years as our state of technology continues to outgrow us, with the threat of artificial intelligence and genetic manipulation becoming an ever-present threat in the modern world.

The film’s title also alludes to the level of thought paid to the scientific reasoning of the story, with the letters in Gattaca spelling out the four nucleotides that make up the building blocks of DNA. However, this wasn’t why NASA highlighted the project, and their recognition of the story stems from their considered approach towards genetic science, exploring the ethical implications of this process and a world in which our DNA determines our social status and career prospects.

In a world indirectly ruled by stereotypes about people based on factors outside of their control, this feels eerily relevant to conversations about opportunities that are only available to certain people and the lack of diversity.

However, NASA also listed two other films that have maintained accuracy, including Contact and Metropolis. Contact, directed by Robert Zemeckis also in 1997, follows a radio astronomer who receives the first extraterrestrial radio signal picked up by earth. Metropolis was released much earlier in 1927, with an impressive ability to foreshadow the increasing class divide, following a futuristic city that is strongly divided between the rich and poor, with a saviour being predicted to mediate between them.

Related Topics

Subscribe To The Far Out Newsletter

_{Images are for reference only.Images and contents gathered automatic from google or 3rd party sources.All rights on the images and contents are with their legal original owners.}