Films are one of the best ways to get a sense of what life was like during the years they were released, and many from the 1990s encapsulate the aesthetics, concerns, and changes seen in society during the decade. Much of the decade is captured in films that reflect the rise of grunge music and aesthetics, the rise of Internet activity and technological advances, and the fear and rebellious attitudes that formed as a result of both. The latter can be seen in films such as The Matrix and Existence.
Other films represent the '90s through their wardrobe, soundtrack selections, and encapsulation of young adulthood, like the films Clerks and Singles. While many of these films are watchable today, some films from the 90s don't work with modern audiences. This is because its themes and aesthetics are dated portrayals of society at the time and do not fully reflect current life – although the relevance of some films continues to increase, especially those dealing with the advancement of technology. These films provide an accurate idea of what life was like before the turn of the 21st century.
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Existenz (1999)
Identifies concerns about the advancement of gaming technology
One of the strangest films of the 90s is David Cronenberg's Existence. The film had the disadvantage of being released in the same year as The Matrixwhose influence and innovation have gained much greater attention over the years. Both films highlight 90s concerns about technology, but Existence has the advantage of combining such themes with horror tropes, namely body horror. Known for its contribution to the body horror genre, Cronenberg's film Existence tells the story of a game designer (Jennifer Jason Leigh) who becomes the target of assassins.
To escape those who pursue her, she plays her own game and the line between reality and virtuality begins to blur. The body horror elements come into play when it is explained that the game systems are connected directly to human bodies via a port. These images have a deeper meaning that draws attention to the cynicism felt by many people during the 90s about the control and negative influence that technology would have.
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The Network (1995)
Details early privacy concerns regarding technology
Although the critical response The Network wasn't entirely positive, the film is still a chilling thriller with technological concerns that were extremely relevant during the 90s. Starring Sandra Bullock, The Network follows her character as she works to uncover the reason behind her registered identity being erased after she received a mysterious disc. Although the film lacks action and the emotions are somewhat predictable, Bullock is still a charming protagonist and the film is a great time capsule for the 90s.
As exciting as technological advances were during the decade, the speed at which technology invaded personal lives caused great concern regarding privacy and control. These concerns felt by society are demonstrated in The Network and are the core of the film's conflict. However, The Network It also offers a balanced view of the rise of the internet and technology, showing its practical uses in everyday life that make life easier.
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Hackers (1995)
Your privacy themes remain relevant
Hackers focuses on the titular subculture, which rose to prominence in the '90s. In the film, a group of high school hackers are involved in an embezzlement conspiracy in which they hope to use their skills to uncover the truth. Now considered a cult classic, HackersThe hectic pace and tenuous plot are not enough to stop the audience from having fun with the film. Its visuals are eye-catching and reminiscent of the popular crime films of the decade.
Compared to other technological crime films of the decade, Hackers it doesn't stand out or add a unique spin to conversations about surveillance in the evolving digital age. As The Network, Hackers draws attention to privacy concerns that have arisen as technology has improved. Although such anxieties were introduced in the 1990s, they have continued in recent years, making Hackers a film that audiences of any generation can identify with on some level.
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Reality Bites (1994)
Highlights Timely Events Young Adults Faced in the 1990s
Directed by Ben Stiller in his directorial debut Reality Bites is one of the best coming-of-age films of the 90s. Following a group of recent college graduates led by Winona Ryder and Ethan Hawke Reality Bites paints an honest picture of the ups and downs that come with finding purpose in work and relationships. Ryder's Lelaina is an aspiring documentary filmmaker who creates a film about her friends' lives that gives audiences a deeper look into the lives of 20-somethings during this time.
Screenwriter Helen Childress found inspiration in her group of real-life friends as she realized the effect the early '90s recession had on them. As a result, Reality Bites has become especially beloved by Gen X audiences, who see parts of themselves and their lived experiences in the film's characters. However, although the experiences of Reality Bites' may be specific to the decade in which the film was released, the struggle to adapt to life after college graduation is timeless.
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Strange Days (1995)
Draws inspiration from real, high-profile incidents
However Strange Days It flopped commercially and is a '90s action movie that almost no one remembers, features some notable themes about technology, and is inspired by cultural events that were especially prominent during the decade. Directed by Kathryn Bigelow, Strange Days stars Ralph Fiennes, Angela Bassett and Juliette Lewis, and tells the story of Lenny Nero (Fiennes), a man who sells devices that allow people to experience other people's memories. When one of these memories details a gruesome murder, Nero becomes embroiled in a conspiracy involving police corruption.
The critical response to Strange Days Upon its release it was mixed, with many of the negative reviews criticizing the film's detailed depiction of violence. Many of the film's events are inspired by the Rodney King attack and the Los Angeles riots that occurred in response. Such elements of the film have increased their relevance in recent years, but Strange DaysThe cyberpunk aesthetic and unnerving final days of 1999 are symbolic of the decade.
5
Mission: Impossible (1996)
Features gadgets and hacking strategies that feel advanced
Tom Cruise is best known for his action films and, in the mid-90s, he led the first film of the Mission: Impossible series. The action film sees Cruise's character, an IMF agent named Ethan Hunt, framed for the murder of his mentor. To prove his innocence, Ethan teams up with a hacker and a pilot, sneaking into a CIA building to obtain a confidential file. Like other 90s films, Mission: Impossible features figures synonymous with the decade, such as hackers.
The hackers and acts of espionage in the film produced an aesthetic that felt futuristic and innovative during the 1990s. While today's spy films feature much more advanced pieces of technology and hacking methods, the sleek, high-tech gadgets and floppy disks seen in Mission: Impossible highlight how early the introduction of emerging technology was.
4
Singles (1992)
Reflects the rise of grunge in Seattle
Set in the home of grunge, Seattle, Washington, Singles depicts the lives of its twenty-something characters navigating love and discovering who they want to be in life. It is the second film directed by Cameron Crowe after 1989 Say anything…and stars Bridget Fonda, Matt Dillon and Kyra Sedgwick. Singles'The protagonists do not appear to be stock characters, as there is a clear understanding of life in the 90s as it relates to work and aspirations that go beyond the corporate lifestyle.
The questions asked by the film's young adults are extremely relatable to audiences, especially those who were the same age as these characters in the early '90s. In addition to capturing the struggles of young adults in the '90s, Singles also provides a fairly accurate portrait of Seattle at the time, with its wardrobe selections and emphasis on grunge culture. SinglesThe encapsulation of the grunge scene is linked to the film's soundtrack and cameos from influential music bands such as Alice in Chains and Soundgarden.
3
You Got Mail (1998)
Depicts the early days of online dating
Nora Ephron You've got mail is widely considered Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan's best film together. The film follows the online romantic connection that forms between them, as they are unaware that they are business rivals. Ryan's Kathleen owns an independent bookstore that is threatened by business brought in by the bookstore chain run by Hanks' Joe family. You've got mailThe most obvious representation of the 90s is the emphasis on chat romances.
While online dating is still relevant today, the type seen in You've got mail was relatively new and exciting for anyone looking for love in the 90s. Additionally, the 90s introduced a new wave of corporate disillusionment and criticism towards corporations. Such ideas are present throughout You've got mailwhere its main conflict sees a major chain running the small business owned by Ryan's character.
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Clerks (1994)
Captures the mundane lives of retail employees
The premise of Kevin Smith's directorial debut Clerks is simple, as the audience follows a day in the life of convenience store employee Dante Hicks (Brian O'Halloran) and his friend Randal (Jeff Anderson). On paper, the monotony of your average workday doesn't seem like it would inspire a cult classic comedy film. Clerks would eventually become. However, Smith's smart, dialogue-heavy film is full of laughs and relatable characters that make it easy for audiences to invest.
Often seen as a typical '90s slice-of-life movie, the hit Clerks it resulted in film sequels and the creation of a fictional film universe known as the View Askewniverse. Although the humorous experiences and relationships seen in Clerks can be found in any decade, the small-town feel, pop culture references, and clothing worn by the film's main characters are indicative of the year it was made.
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The Matrix (1999)
Details the growing anxiety surrounding technology
From the themes of rebellion and technology to the film's wardrobe selections and soundtrack, much of the The Matrix is representative of the 90s. Released at the end of the decade, The Matrix introduced an enhanced suite of special effects that set it apart from other sci-fi films of the '90s. Additionally, the film's narrative and action sequences make it not only one of the best films of the decade overall, but also one that captures perfectly the life of that time.
Keanu Reeves, who was an especially prominent actor of the decade, leads the film as Neo. He is a hacker who discovers life as he knows it, a simulation created by machines. Upon making this discovery, Neo decides to rebel against the machines. Fears surrounding technological possibilities and advances only seem to increase over the years, but they were extremely prevalent during the 90s, with The Matrix capturing the feelings that much of society was struggling with at the time.