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What is Cyberpunk?
I was giving a buddy notes the other day on this science fiction thriller he sent me, and I couldn't really find a way to describe the world. After talking with him, I realized the tone and world were something called "cyberpunk". But I'll be honest, I don't spend a lot of time watching these kinds of movies or TV shows. So, today, I thought it would be a good idea to enlighten myself on the definition of the term, some examples, and the characteristics. Sound good? Let's dive in. Cyberpunk DefinitionCyberpunk is a subgenre of science fiction that blends futuristic tech in a world of poverty, crime, and corruption. Characteristics of Cyberpunk How do you know if you're reading or watching something that happens in the cyberpunk universe? Well, there are a few key characteristics you should be on the watch for that will let you identify when you enter one of these worlds. Dystopia: Corporate dominance: Corporations wield immense power. Social inequality: A stark divide between the rich and the poor. Urban decay: Overcrowded, polluted cities. Future Technology:Artificial intelligence (AI): Sentient machines and programs.Virtual reality (VR) and cyberspace: Immersive digital worlds.Hacking: the use of computer skills to gain access to data. Visual Aesthetics: Technological clutter and urban decay.The blending of technology and the human form. Dark, gritty environments.Neon-lit cityscapes.Examples of Cyberpunk in Movies and TVPerhaps the easiest way to understand a genre is to just watch a bunch of stuff that exists within it. So I came up with a list of cyberpunk films and TV shows you can check out to deepen our understanding. Movies: Blade Runner (1982) & Blade Runner 2049 (2017): These movies are cornerstones of the cyberpunk genre, showcasing a dystopian future with advanced technology and social decay. The Matrix (1999): This groundbreaking film explores the nature of reality through a virtual world, hacking, and the fight against oppressive machines. Ghost in the Shell (1995 & 2017): Both the animated original and the live-action adaptation explore cybernetics and artificial intelligence. Akira (1988): This influential anime depicts the future in Neo-Tokyo, where citizens have powerful psychic abilities, biker gangs, and social unrest. RoboCop (1987): This movie shows a future where crime runs rampant, and a police officer is turned into a cyborg to fight it. TV Shows: Cyberpunk: Edgerunners (2022): This animated series, based on the video game delivers a visually stunning cyberpunk experience. Black Mirror (2011-present): This anthology series explores the potential negative consequences of technology in society. Altered Carbon (2018-2020): This series presents a future where consciousness can be transferred between bodies. Westworld (2016-2022): While having Western elements, it also has very strong cyberpunk themes in its dystopian park. Mr. Robot (2015-2019): This series focuses on a hacker who joins a group aiming to take down a powerful corporation. Summing Up Cyberpunk Now that you have a firm grasp on all things cyberpunk, it's time to play with the genre on your own. Inject it into your spec scripts and screenplay pilots. Or try an offshoot subgenre of cyberpunk—steampunk.Go off and get worldbuilding for a while. And if you have anything to add to all of this, I want to hear it. Let me know what you think in the comments.
I was giving a buddy notes the other day on this science fiction thriller he sent me, and I couldn't really find a way to describe the world. After talking with him, I realized the tone and world were something called "cyberpunk".
But I'll be honest, I don't spend a lot of time watching these kinds of movies or TV shows. So, today, I thought it would be a good idea to enlighten myself on the definition of the term, some examples, and the characteristics.
Sound good? Let's dive in.
Cyberpunk Definition
Cyberpunk is a subgenre of science fiction that blends futuristic tech in a world of poverty, crime, and corruption.
Characteristics of Cyberpunk
How do you know if you're reading or watching something that happens in the cyberpunk universe?
Well, there are a few key characteristics you should be on the watch for that will let you identify when you enter one of these worlds.
- Corporate dominance: Corporations wield immense power.
- Social inequality: A stark divide between the rich and the poor.
- Urban decay: Overcrowded, polluted cities.
- Artificial intelligence (AI): Sentient machines and programs.
- Virtual reality (VR) and cyberspace: Immersive digital worlds.
- Hacking: the use of computer skills to gain access to data.
- Technological clutter and urban decay.
- The blending of technology and the human form.
- Dark, gritty environments.
- Neon-lit cityscapes.
Examples of Cyberpunk in Movies and TV
Perhaps the easiest way to understand a genre is to just watch a bunch of stuff that exists within it.
So I came up with a list of cyberpunk films and TV shows you can check out to deepen our understanding.
Movies:
- Blade Runner (1982) & Blade Runner 2049 (2017):
- These movies are cornerstones of the cyberpunk genre, showcasing a dystopian future with advanced technology and social decay.
- The Matrix (1999):
- This groundbreaking film explores the nature of reality through a virtual world, hacking, and the fight against oppressive machines.
- Ghost in the Shell (1995 & 2017):
- Both the animated original and the live-action adaptation explore cybernetics and artificial intelligence.
- Akira (1988):
- This influential anime depicts the future in Neo-Tokyo, where citizens have powerful psychic abilities, biker gangs, and social unrest.
- RoboCop (1987):
- This movie shows a future where crime runs rampant, and a police officer is turned into a cyborg to fight it.
TV Shows:
- Cyberpunk: Edgerunners (2022):
- This animated series, based on the video game delivers a visually stunning cyberpunk experience.
- Black Mirror (2011-present):
- This anthology series explores the potential negative consequences of technology in society.
- Altered Carbon (2018-2020):
- This series presents a future where consciousness can be transferred between bodies.
- Westworld (2016-2022):
- While having Western elements, it also has very strong cyberpunk themes in its dystopian park.
- Mr. Robot (2015-2019):
- This series focuses on a hacker who joins a group aiming to take down a powerful corporation.
Summing Up Cyberpunk
Now that you have a firm grasp on all things cyberpunk, it's time to play with the genre on your own. Inject it into your spec scripts and screenplay pilots.
Or try an offshoot subgenre of cyberpunk—steampunk.
Go off and get worldbuilding for a while.
And if you have anything to add to all of this, I want to hear it.
Let me know what you think in the comments.
