Directed by Andrei Tarkovsky, “Stalker” (1979) is one of the greatest films ever made.
In this story, in a small country there is an area called the Zone and that contains the Room, a place that is believed to be able to grant wishes. In the movie, we follow the journey of a writer and a professor who are guided by a figure known as the Stalker to this mysterious place.
One of the most complex films of Tarkovsky’s career – a filmmaker quite famous for making complex films – “Stalker” approaches many psychological and philosophical themes while showing a very intriguing science fiction story with very powerful metaphors and very unique visuals. In this article, there are 10 movies that, in one way or another, have some elements in common with “Stalker.”
It is never too late to remember that many things interfere while choosing the movies that appear in an article like this, but memory and personal preferences are the main factors. If you think any other film should be on this list, please leave it as a recommendation in the comments section below.
10. Under the Skin (2013; dir. Jonathan Glazer)
Based on the novel by Michel Faber, “Under the Skin” is a movie directed by Jonathan Glazer that follows the story of an alien who lives on Earth, who is traveling through the streets of Scotland searching for human prey. After seducing her victims, she takes them to another dimension where they are consumed, but after some time she starts to discover herself as a human.
With an amazing performance by Scarlett Johansson, “Under the Skin” has astonishing visuals and is definitely one of the most complex and intriguing films of this decade.
Using a science fiction story to tell an existentialist tale makes “Under the Skin” a very unique experience. Without a doubt, a movie worth watching.
9. The Divine Comedy (1991; dir. Manoel de Oliveira)
In 1991, legendary Portuguese filmmaker Manoel de Oliveira released one of his most intriguing works, “The Divine Comedy.”
The movie follows the patients of a mental institution. In this place, they see themselves as Sonia and Raskolnikov (from the novel “Crime and Punishment” by Fyodor Dostoyevsky), Adam and Eve, Jesus, Lazarus and others, while quoting the Divine Comedy.
With a very interesting plot and a powerful philosophical approach and allegories, “The Divine Comedy” is definitely one of the best movies directed by de Oliveira and a film that should definitely be watched.
8. Blade Runner (1982; dir. Ridley Scott)
One of the best sci-fi movies of all time, “Blade Runner” is truly a classic.
Directed by Ridley Scott and based on the novel “Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?” by Philip K. Dick, the movie follows the story of Rick Deckard (Harrison Ford), a former police officer that needs to hunt down four bioengineered beings known as replicants.
With many philosophical approaches and an astonishing cinematography and production design, “Blade Runner” is a complex film that uses elements from many different genres of storytelling.
This is definitely a movie that has some points in common with “Stalker,” and a film that every cinephile should check out.
7. Almanac of Fall (1984; dir. Béla Tarr)
In a movie that is not very remembered in his filmography, Béla Tarr delivers a chamber drama where the people living in a large apartment start to reveal the most somber sides of their personalities.
“Almanac of Fall” is one of Tarr’s most humanistic films. With amazing performances, we are able to see the emotions, fears, and how intricate the relationships are between these characters.
This is definitely a complex film and another great movie by Tarr. Without a doubt, a film every cinephile should check out.
6. Gandahar (1988; dir. René Laloux)
One of the best animated films from the 1980s, “Gandahar” is directed by René Laloux and follows the story of a paradise where the citizens live in harmony with nature, until one day they are attacked by a force that comes from 1,000 years in the future.
A very entertaining and complex film, this movie is able to use science fiction to raise many intriguing questions and to talk about power, our relationship with nature, and technology, to name a few.
A great sci-fi movie that should definitely be watched.