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Science fiction

Science fiction
The latest news, analysis and opinion on Science fiction. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.
Chris Pratt as Detective Chris Raven in a still from Mercy (category IIA), directed by Timur Bekmambetov. Rebecca Ferguson co-stars.
American cinema

Review | Mercy: Chris Pratt battles a virtual judge in flawed AI courtroom thriller

Chris Pratt plays a detective accused of murder who has 90 minutes to clear his name in this ‘screenlife’ thriller that fluffs its third act.

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Asian cinema

Loved Back to the Past? 10 Asian time travel gems you may also enjoy

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Asian cinema: Hong Kong film

Review | Back to the Past: Louis Koo, Raymond Lam lead nostalgic film sequel

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United States

Director convicted of scamming millions from Netflix for unfinished sci-fi show

Carl Erik Rinsch, best known for ‘47 Ronin’, was convicted of wire fraud, money laundering and other charges.

Netflix studios in Los Angeles, California. Photo: AFP
Open Questions series

Open Questions | Why sci-fi’s Liu Cixin hopes AI surpasses humanity

The Three-Body Problem author on technology’s remorseless progress, why superintelligence isn’t a given and the decline of science fiction literature.

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Science

Opinion | Simulation hypothesis is really a proof for the existence of God

While science still disagrees on whether humanity lives in a simulation, philosophy has yet to rule out a ‘cosmic host’.

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TV shows and streaming video

AppleTV+ sci-fi Pluribus makes the end of the world look happier than ever

The new show from Breaking Bad’s creator about a cheery hivemind virus that infects humanity flips the script on the post-apocalyptic genre.

Rhea Seehorn (left) in a still from AppleTV+‘s Pluribus. Seehorn stars as Carol Sturka, one of the only humans not to have “joined” the majority who share the same memories, skills and proclivity for kindness. Photo: Apple TV/TNS
American cinema

Michael J. Fox looks back on Back to the Future as the sci-fi turns 40

Fox talks about the DeLorean, being suddenly thrown into the lead role of the 1985 film, and how it has become ‘more accessible’ with age.

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American cinema

Why Kathryn Bigelow’s Strange Days, 30 this month, was ahead of its time

It bombed upon release, but this 1995 sci-fi with Ralph Fiennes offers a vivid portrait of contemporary society, and some prescient warnings.

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American cinema

Review | Tron: Ares – third time’s almost a charm for sci-fi film series

Starring Jared Leto and Greta Lee, Joachim Ronning’s Tron Ares is at times thrilling but features an overly familiar plot focusing on AI.

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Jared Leto in a still from Tron: Ares (category IIA), directed by Joachim Ronning. Greta Lee co-stars. Photo: Leah Gallo/Disney Enterprises
US-China relations

China stakes a claim on the future with sci-fi and speculative fiction

Liu Cixin’s Three-Body trilogy and other Chinese works may challenge the West’s projection of capitalist society in fiction, experts say.

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Speculative fiction, cited in 2022 by the Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology as useful for promoting science engagement, has become an important platform to showcase China’s soft power. Photo: Xinhua
Asian cinema: Hong Kong film

Review | Measure in Love: Angela Yuen and Greg Hsu in baffling fantasy romance

Benny Kung’s dystopian fairy tale in which humanity is separated across two sides of the ocean looks good but leaves basic logic far behind.

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Asian cinema: Korean films

Review | The Great Flood: Kim Da-mi can’t save bewildering Netflix sci-fi fantasy

Kim Da-mi stars in what begins as a disaster movie then spins off into science fiction, a move that will surely leave viewers floundering.

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Asean

Opinion | AI won’t provide the answer to today’s geoeconomic puzzles

No algorithm can predict how the clash of civilisations and economies on a global scale will unfold.

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Garment workers walk out of their factory during their lunch break in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, on July 8. Trump threatened steep tariffs on the country, finally agreeing on 19 per cent. Photo: AFP
Asian cinema: Korean films

Review | Omniscient Reader: The Prophecy – Korean fantasy is glossy but uninspired

Featuring Ahn Hyo-seop, Lee Min-ho, Chae Soo-bin and K-pop’s Nana and Jisoo, this Korean sci-fi fantasy fails to live up to its ambitions.

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Nana (left) as feisty fighter Hui-won and Ahn Hyo-seop as recently fired office worker Dok-ja in a still from Omniscient Reader: The Prophecy.
Asian cinema: Japanese films

Review | Kaiju No. 8: Mission Recon – sci-fi anime film is for diehard fans only

Kaiju No. 8: Mission Recon offers a big-screen compilation of the anime, but character development and emotional nuance are stripped away.

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China consumption

China’s sci-fi industry shoots for stars as Beijing pushes ‘quality’ growth

With successes like The Three-Body Problem, the genre has never been more popular – and authorities have taken note.

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Fashion

Style shoot: Prada plays with punk and sci-fi vibes for spring/summer 2025

Metallic fabrics, ‘alien’ accessories and hole-punched garments mix with sturdier woollens and distressed leather, alongside floral prints and feminine silhouettes.

Prada’s spring/summer 2025 collection, unveiled at Milan Fashion Week last September, plays with punk and sci-fi elements, blending retro-futuristic and classic vibes. Photography: Ricardo Beas
Korean drama reviews

Review | Sci-fi K-drama When the Stars Gossip goes from lame to ludicrous

Finale of When the Stars Gossip takes show from bad to worse, as its formerly professional female lead makes a series of bad decisions.

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Asian cinema: Korean films

Review | Mickey 17, wild sci-fi satire from Parasite’s Bong Joon-ho

Robert Pattinson plays the titular Mickey, a loser sent into space, where he is cloned with hilarious results in this cult-novel adaptation.

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Korean drama reviews

When the Stars Gossip midseason recap: giant leap back for Korean sci-fi

This Netflix series, like many sci-fi Korean dramas, doesn’t have the science or the fiction to be anything more than a formulaic romcom.

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Lee Min-ho as space tourist Gong Ryong in a still from Netflix K-drama When the Stars Gossip.
American cinema

Michelle Yeoh on her ‘liberating’ role in Star Trek: Section 31

Star Trek: Discovery spin-off film sees Oscar winner reprise her dual role as the virtuous Captain Georgiou and ruthless Empress Georgiou.

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Michelle Yeoh attends a discussion about her new film Star Trek: Section 31 at 92NY in New York. Photo: Getty Images via AFP
Korean drama reviews

When the Stars Gossip: Lee Min-ho, Gong Hyo-jin in space station romcom

A hackneyed melodrama dressed up as sci-fi, Netflix romantic comedy set aboard a space station is so silly the writer may be in on the joke.

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American cinema

Support for Interstellar’s IMAX re-release ‘magical’, Christopher Nolan says

Director pleased to see ‘new audiences’ experiencing sci-fi epic on big screen – and proof watching with others in a cinema is still a draw.

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American cinema

I don’t want to see scary movies, star who acted in many says

Sigourney Weaver – Ellen Ripley in Alien films – tells BBC host she avoids ‘scary films’; Nosferatu star says he was scared seeing the film.

Sigourney Weaver as Ripley in a still from Aliens. Photo: Allstar/New Line Cinema
Fame and celebrity

Benedict Wong on ascending from deep-fat fryer to sorcerer by no easy route

The British actor, who faced agent indifference and was often typecast in predictable Asian roles early in his career, is now master of the sorcery required to make it as a star in Hollywood

Meet Benedict Wong: how the 3 Body Problem actor launched himself out of his family’s takeaway restaurant and into the Marvel Cinematic Universe – and Ian McKellen was an early fan. Photo: Invision/AP
Asian cinema

Review | Uranus 2324, Thai sci-fi girls’ love film with LGBTQ stars FreenBecky

‘GL’ fans will love watching lesbian stars Freen Sarocha Chankimha and Rebecca Patricia Armstrong, but Uranus 2324 offers little to others.

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American cinema

Director mocks Tesla’s Musk over sci-fi movie looks of Robovan, Optimus

Director of I, Robot film suggests Elon Musk copied its designs for Tesla’s Robovan autonomous bus, Cybercab and Optimus robot.

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