Primarily based on the Michael Crichton novel, HBO’s Westworld is among the most ingenious sci-fi reveals in latest reminiscence. The collection is about round a state-of-the-art theme park that permits visitors to enter a simulated actuality that resembles the Outdated West and is full of robotic “hosts” there to meet the visitors’ each want. However when the hosts start gaining their very own identities, they get uninterested in being pawns and begin to struggle again.
Whereas the present hasn’t been a success for everybody, it actually does supply lots to take pleasure in for sci-fi followers because the present enters its fourth season. From the concepts offered on this world to the way in which these big ideas relate to real-world points, it’s a nice style piece. For followers of Westworld who wish to dig deeper into sci-fi, there are numerous different science fiction collection that discover related themes.
Severance (2022-)
The setting of Severance inside a secular workplace appears in stark distinction to the sprawling Western setting of Westworld. However diving deeper into the themes of each reveals, there are clear similarities in these tales about these in management and people pushing again in opposition to the fact they know with a view to achieve their very own management.
Severance follows a gaggle of workers at a secretive firm who bear a controversial process to separate their consciousness at work from their consciousness at dwelling. However after they start to query issues, they discover there’s extra being hidden than they understand.
Watchmen (2019)
- Accessible on HBO Max and HBO
It’s fairly shocking that Westworld is definitely the variation of a sci-fi motion film of the identical identify from the Seventies. Although an analogous premise, the collection updates the story to be a vaster and extra in-depth take a look at the society that might create such a spot as Westworld.
Watchmen is an analogous sci-fi collection as it’s a continuation of the story began within the groundbreaking graphic novel by Alan Moore. Whereas the unique story tackled big points in its superhero story, the brand new collection updates it to deal with extra well timed subject material.
Firefly (2002-2003)
The primary scene of Westworld had a really intriguing mixture of the Outdated West with a sci-fi really feel. Features of the present appeared like they had been taken proper out of a basic Western film, however then there can be the weather outdoors of the park that feels futuristic.
That stability is taken even additional within the short-lived collection Firefly. The film takes the tropes of outdated Western tales and places them on the planet of an intergalactic journey. Nathan Fillion performs the chief of a band of area cowboys pulling off daring missions throughout the galaxy.
Dollhouse (2009-2010)
With the character of Dolores and the opposite “hosts” within the park, they’re right here to serve the wishes of the park’s visitors. It’s a lifetime of getting used and a disposable object so seeing them achieve company for themselves and struggle again is really satisfying.
There’s a related story within the collection Dollhouse and its heroes. It offers with a corporation that wipes the recollections of its “dolls,” offers them new ones, and imbues them with particular expertise that meet the wants of their particular shoppers.
People (2015-2018)
One other topic touched upon in Westworld is how humanity led to those cyborgs changing into extra than simply machines and the way it impacts their lives. For some, they see them as risks to the remainder of the world whereas others what to see them free.
The collection People additionally tackles the concept of life-like androids used for service solely to develop into a bigger a part of human society. It focuses on artificial beings used as home helpers and the varied methods they have an effect on the lives of these they work for.
Counterpart (2017-2019)
Westworld makes use of a sci-fi idea to have enjoyable within the Western style. Likewise, Counterpart makes use of its intriguing sci-fi premise for a enjoyable spy thriller. J.Okay. Simmons performs a mild-mannered employee at a covert group, who’s uncovered to a different actuality the place one other model of himself exists.
The collection performs with the concept of identification in an analogous method as Westworld. Simmons is very efficient in taking part in two very completely different roles and being extraordinarily efficient in each of them. It makes for a enjoyable and intense thriller with a Chilly Warfare really feel.
The Expanse (2015-2022)
The largest theme explored in Westworld is the concept of mistreated members of society deciding to struggle again for their very own rights. This concept can be an enormous a part of the underrated collection The Expanse.
The collection follows a number of characters in area, the place they work to make sure these nonetheless on Earth stay in consolation. The characters are hardly seen as people anymore, however after they resolve they deserve extra, they start to uncover an unlimited and harmful conspiracy.
Battlestar Galactica (2004-2009)
- Accessible on Peacock and Peacock Premium
A continuation of the basic sci-fi collection of the Seventies, this up to date tackle Battlestar Galactica was an enormous hit with sci-fi followers. It tells the story of the final remaining colonies of people residing in area and in quest of their deserted dwelling planet whereas being hunted by an enemy military.
This huge area journey explores the that means of humanity in some actually attention-grabbing methods, which is among the issues Westworld does finest. Battlestar Galactica can be a very enjoyable style journey with beloved storylines which can be nonetheless thrilling for followers.
The Leftovers (2014-2017)
- Accessible on HBO and HBO Max
Whereas not as fashionable as among the different HBO collection, The Leftovers is among the finest collection of the twenty first century. It takes place following a world phenomenon that precipitated a big portion of the inhabitants to out of the blue vanish. The collection follows these left behind.
That is one other fascinating collection that introduces a posh society and explores all its difficult implications. It’s a highly effective, suspenseful, and thought-provoking story that makes glorious use of its sci-fi premise.
Misplaced (2004-2010)
When Misplaced debuted its unimaginable first season, it wasn’t but evident if the collection can be a sci-fi story. Nevertheless, because the plot went on and the mysteries continued to construct up, its true style origins grew to become clear. The collection follows a gaggle of survivors whose aircraft crashes on an island and issues solely get stranger from there.
Some viewers complain about Westworld‘s obsession with the mysteries and twists of its story. However those that take pleasure in that facet will definitely love Misplaced. It options one huge thriller after one other, and whereas the solutions aren’t all the time satisfying, the journey is sort of enjoyable.
Black Mirror (2011-2019)
The present pattern of anthology tv reveals may need been closely influenced by the compelling collection Black Mirror. With every new episode, the collection explores the varied disturbing methods technological developments might develop into harmful.
That is actually an thought explored in Westworld with the concept of taking part in god revisited time and again. Not all of the episodes of Black Mirror are dwelling runs, however a lot of them ask essential questions and inform surprising tales.
Raised By Wolves (2020-2022)
Seeing as how Ridley Scott is accountable for sci-fi masterpieces like Alien and Blade Runner, the truth that he was behind the HBO collection Raised by Wolves made an immediately intriguing sci-fi collection. The collection facilities round androids who’re designed to guard people on a harmful planet.
Like Westworld and Scott’s different sci-fi movies, the collection explores the concept of androids serving humanity and all the problems that come up from that. It additionally options the form of excessive manufacturing values which have made Westworld such a mesmerizing collection. Sadly, the present was canceled after simply two seasons.
The Handmaid’s Story (2017-)
On the middle of Westworld is the concept of an unequal society wherein one group is pressured to be servants for an additional. This concept can be explored within the harrowing collection The Handmaid’s Story, based mostly on the novel of the identical identify by Margaret Atwood.
The collection explores a dystopian future wherein ladies are seen as second-class and used largely to hold infants for highly effective males. Elizabeth Moss performs the collection’ hero who steadily revolts in opposition to the oppressive world she lives in.
Altered Carbon (2018-2020)
The theme park facet of Westworld appears on the thought of know-how reaching some extent the place your wildest goals can come true and all of the darkish implications of that. Altered Carbon is about in a future the place know-how has type of created immorality, however it’s not all it is cracked as much as be.
On this future, human consciousness may be digitally saved and transferred into a brand new physique. The collection follows a prisoner who’s given a brand new physique in order that he can remedy a homicide. Together with related themes, this present additionally has some enjoyable motion much like Westworld.
Snowpiercer (2020-)
- Accessible on HBO Mac, DIRECTV, TNT and Spectrum on Demand
In Snowpiercer, local weather change has made the world nearly uninhabitable because it has utterly frozen over. The final survivors boarded a prepare that circles the Earth, maintaining its passengers alive. Nevertheless, the prepare has develop into a brutal class system wherein the wealthy have all the things and the poor endure.
As with Westworld, Snowpiercer takes a captivating idea and explores real-world points with it. It additionally illustrates how these thought of lesser people can band collectively and stand up in opposition to their oppressors.
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