10 best cyberpunk martial arts movies

Cyberpunk and martial arts are two facets of film genres that may not have much in common on the surface. However, they make an incredible combination. Juxtaposing the technological and virtual realities of cyberpunk with the physical and technical discipline of martial arts It’s always engaging. Many of the best cyberpunk sci-fi films are from the 1980s and 1990s, as this was when the Internet was taking hold and both filmmakers and audiences were beginning to fear what it meant for society. However, there are so many memorable modern additions to the genre.

These action films within the cyberpunk genre range from campy martial arts films to serious explorations of fighting techniques with deep social and cultural messages. Many of these projects blur the line between action, science fiction, cyberpunk and martial arts, using resources from each of these topics interchangeably. The futuristic worlds the characters belong to have seen a breakdown of barriers and cultural differences since cyberspace connected everyone. This makes learning ways to defend yourself a critical part of the story, since seemingly equal worlds are often a veneer that hides a dystopian government.

10

Jiu Jitsu (2020)

Directed by Dimitri Logothetis

Nicolas Cage stars in the 2020 film Jiu Jitsu, a film named after a martial arts classification. However, the film’s warriors who study the fighting style not only have to prove themselves to other masters, but also hone their skills to fend off the alien invasion. Although aliens do not typically appear in cyberpunk narratives, with technology playing the role of antagonist most of the time, Jiu Jitsu manages to make the science fiction element blend perfectly into the plot.

However Jiu Jitsu was not a resounding success with critics and the public, is an ambitious project that prioritizes fast-paced action and spectacle above all else. Jiu Jitsu he knows he will never be remembered as the best of the genre and never intends to compete with the serious films that inspire him. Instead of, Jiu Jitsu He willingly pokes fun at himself with a genial sense of humor. Unfortunately, it was forgotten due to its 2020 release.

9

Ready Player One (2018)

Directed by Steven Spielberg

Steven Spielberg’s adaptation of Ready Player One Ernest Cline’s isn’t his best-received film in recent years, but it helped usher in a new era of bringing video games to the forefront of the medium. The prevalence of video games in movies and TV shows has only become more popular in recent years, and Cline deftly incorporated virtual reality and pop culture references into his book, which Spielberg takes advantage of. One of the best parts Ready Player One it’s how well the nostalgia of the past infiltrates the virtual landscape of the future.

Most of the martial arts and action sequences take place in the game’s virtual reality the protagonist, Wade (Tye Sheridan), is involved. Trying to find a legendary treasure and rescue his family from difficult circumstances, Wade dives into the game and enters many competitions of strength and skill to win it. Unlike other cyberpunk narratives, Ready Player One has a hopeful message and gives your audience something positive to interact with.

8

Ultraviolet (2006)

Directed by Kurt Wimmer

After being genetically modified by a secret government organization into a vampire-like creature, Violet (Milla Jovovich) fights the corrupt and violent government using her incredible abilities. Although the virus has separated her from humanity and caused her to be hunted, it also gives Violet unprecedented strength, speed, and agility, making her the perfect weapon. However, this is why she and others like her are so feared by humanity, who are working to eradicate their species for good.

Visually, Ultraviolet is very current, as its special effects are dated and the aesthetic is both futuristic and seems straight out of the early 2000s. Its poor critical reception led Ultraviolet to be overwhelmingly forgotten, despite its promising premise and Jovovich’s excellent work as a fighter and emotional anchor. However Ultraviolet isn’t the most original project, it’s still fun thanks to the performances and unique martial arts style that director Kurt Wimmer is known for.

7

Shin Kamen Rider (2023)

Directed by Hideaki Anno

Also referred to as Masked Knight Shin in English, the recent cinematic iteration of Kamen Rider The TV series and its franchise are a great mix of superheroes and cyberpunk. Using fun costumes to bring a nostalgic aesthetic to the characters and atmosphere, Shin Kamen Knight appreciates the story’s roots in the 1970s and infuses that vintage feel into the narrative. Using classic martial arts techniques and using the camera and fight choreography to work in harmony, Shin Kamen Knight it’s a lot of fun.

The director, Hideaki Anno, also worked on Shin Godzilla and Shin Ultramanand the influence of these two films is evident throughout Shin Kamen Knight. Although there are many over-the-top moments in Shin Kamen KnightAll of these scenes are self-conscious, as this humor and referential style are essential to the Kamen Rider franchise. Shin Kamen Knight is not as high-tech as other cyberpunk projects, but it grounds the supernatural story and makes the audience care about the characters.

6

Æon Flow (2005)

Directed by Karyn Kusama

Starring Charlize Theron as the titular character Æon Flow explores a dystopian society of the last humans on Earth and the rebel group seeking to overthrow the government. Æon Flux is one of the rebels, and on his journey to uncover the conspiracy, the audience absorbs his incredible fighting skills, as Æon Flux has trained his body as a weapon. However, some of the evils committed by those in power cannot simply be combated through physical combat, forcing Æon Flux to build a group to fight back.

The director, Karyn Kusama, has directed other over-the-top and underrated cult films such as Jennifer’s Body, however Æon Flow it lacked insight into its source material. Based on the early 1990s animated series Æon Flow should have leaned even more into its cyberpunk roots and heavy stylization. However, this does not change the fact that Æon Flow is an interesting and overlooked part of cyberpunk and martial arts history, with Theron giving her all in the fight choreography.

5

Cowboy Bebop: The Movie (2001)

Directed by Shinichiro Watanabe

While not as well-received as the blockbuster TV show it is based on, Cowboy Bebop: The Movie is an excellent addition to a wide variety of genres, not just cyberpunk or martial arts. THE Cowboy Bebop The franchise is also known for its roots in the Western and Noir genres, creating a unique blend that makes Cowboy Bebop unlike anything else. The protagonist, bounty hunter Spike, is a formidable adversary thanks to his resourcefulness and fighting skills, which are on full display in Cowboy Bebop: The Movie.

It is universally accepted that the Cowboy Bebop the live-action show was a mistake, as the anime doesn’t have a look that can be easily translated from the animation. Beautiful character design, distant worlds, and easy balance between retro and futuristic style Cowboy Bebop impossible to replicate but strongly influential. Cowboy Bebop: The Movie features some of the best fight scenes between Spike and the many antagonists he pursues across the galaxy.

4

Ghost in the Shell (1995)

Directed by Mamoru Oshii

However Ghost in the Shell references older cyberpunk works, the 1995 anime inspired many iconic works of cinema, such as The Matrix films and Ex-machine. Often compared with Blade runnerone of the prototypical examples of the aesthetics and themes that cyberpunk uses today, Ghost in the Shell is considered a must-have addition to the science fiction and action genres. Not just because it’s one of the most beautiful animated films of the 1990s, but also because it raises urgent questions about the nature of what it means to be human.

The protagonist, Motoko Kusanagi, is a cyborg who struggles with her identity and place in the world while searching for the Puppet Master, a mysterious hacker who takes control of cybernetic bodies. Not all the action in Ghost in the Shell it is strictly martial arts, as guns and other weaponry play a crucial role in conflicts as well as mental confrontations. However, It is clear that Kusanagi’s character design and abilities were influenced by martial arts aesthetics. and that your fighting techniques are in tune with this.

3

Alita: Battle Angel (2019)

Directed by Robert Rodríguez

Based on the manga series Battle Angel Alita, Alita: Battle Angel uses motion capture technology to bring its cyborg protagonist to life. Combining harsh technological advancements and upgrades with the soft, vulnerable parts of the human body makes for bloody but compelling moments. Alitawhich revolves around the titular character’s attempts to discover who she is and how to escape her circumstances. Featuring an all-star cast fully committed to the dystopian world, Alita: Battle Angel It’s a fun and wild ride.

The fighting style that Alita uses, Panzer-Kunst, is unique to cyborgs and is part of her deeply recessed memories, mixing different martial arts techniques as well as a variety of other styles. Using her physical prowess and the advantages her mechanical body provides her, Alita is virtually unstoppable in battle. However, that doesn’t mean she can save everyone. However Alita: Battle Angel received mixed reviews, its distinctive appearance and Alita’s emotional journey make it more complex than it seems.

2

Update (2018)

Directed by Leigh Whannell

Audiences familiar with the 1994 film The Crow will recognize the initial premise of To updatewhich shows the protagonist, Grey, witnessing the murder of his wife. However, Gray is not brought back to life, but an artificial intelligence system is implanted that connects to his brain and nervous system. Of course, it’s clear to the audience from the beginning that STEM, the AI, is suspect, but Grey’s circumstances make it very tempting to welcome STEM’s incredible fighting skills and intelligence.

Like many films in the cyberpunk genre To update has a rather dark ending and serves as a warning about the dangers of revenge and AI in equal measure. Since To update takes place in the near future, maintains some of the appearance of today, but with small adjustments that ensure the viewer remembers how much technology has evolved. While it’s strange to see STEM take control of Grey’s body, There’s no denying that his fighting skills become incredible to witness.

1

The Matrix (1999)

Directed by Lana and Lilly Wachowski

More than twenty years later, The Matrix It has not been forgotten nor has it become less popular in the science fiction genre. There are many reasons to love the original Headquartersas well as its sequels, as it was the film that started Keanu Reeves’ career in the action genre. Furthermore, it has inspired countless contemporary films that fight against the rise of artificial intelligence. The Matrix has such a cohesive and engaging visual aesthetic that it’s easy for the viewer to forget which world they’re in next to the characters.

Although there are parts The Matrix movies that don’t make sense, that hasn’t stopped the film franchise from becoming an enduring sci-fi action classic. From watching Neo learn to control the Matrix and use it to help him fight to the incredible action sequences when he fights Agent Smith, there is no moment when The Matrix does not take advantage of its format and style. At once a model of cyberpunk and modern martial arts, The Matrix It’s loved for a reason.