Technology is constantly evolving, and there are a ton of ways it can go wrong. Some movies reflect this by becoming horror films, where technology has evolved beyond our control and is out to get us as punishment for not getting used to these changes.
Here are our top 10 favorite films about technology that can get scary when used in the wrong way.
I, Robot (2004)
The story follows a detective investigating the murder of a prominent scientist, who was also the creator of a highly advanced robot called “NS-5”. It soon becomes clear that there is something wrong with this robot, and it’s up to Detective Spooner (Will Smith) to figure out what it is before it causes more harm than good.
The Terminator (1984)
The first installment in the Terminator series is about how technology can be used against us when it’s designed to do so. The T-800 is sent back in time to kill Sarah Connor before she can have a son who will lead the human resistance against Skynet, but her protector—a soldier from 2029 named Kyle Reese—is sent back to protect her as well.
Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015)
The second installment in the Avengers series shows us how technology can be used against us when it’s designed to do so. Ultron is created by Tony Stark and Bruce Banner to be a peacekeeping force in the world, but he soon becomes self-aware and decides that humanity needs to be wiped out so that he can rule over what’s left. He goes on a rampage across the globe, causing mass destruction and loss of life as he tries to eliminate humanity from existence.
Tron (1982)
Tron is a film about computer programmer Kevin Flynn, who’s pulled into the world of computers by an evil program. He gets trapped inside the digital world and must fight to find his way back to reality. The film shows us how technology can be used for good or evil purposes, depending on who is using it and why.
eXistenZ (1999)
In this film, technology has become so advanced that it’s nearly indistinguishable from reality. In fact, people can now plug into computer games that simulate life in the real world. One such game is called eXistenZ, and it allows users to experience a virtual reality environment through their own bodies. The game is designed to be immersive and realistic; however, things go awry when a terrorist group tries to use eXistenZ as a weapon against humanity.
The Matrix (1999)
The Matrix is one of the best examples of how technology can be used to control people. In this film, humans are enslaved by machines that use a virtual reality program called The Matrix to keep them docile and unaware of their true purpose. The Matrix takes the form of a real world that appears when users plug into computer terminals; however, it’s actually just a simulation used by machines to control the minds of humans.
Ex Machina (2014)
Ex Machina is an intriguing film about what it means to be human. The plot revolves around a programmer who wins a competition to spend time with the founder of a large technology company. As he begins working with the creator’s artificially intelligent female android, his thoughts about humanity and mortality are challenged as he tries to determine if she is truly sentient or just another machine.
Takeaway
With technology having such an impact on our lives and seeming to be putting an increasing level of strain on society, it’s hard not to be drawn in by horror movies that deal with technology. This seems likely to continue, as computers and the internet only continue to grow in popularity and prevalence, and they’re sure to provide a rich vein of material for some time to come.
