What is Cyberpunk in Film? Definition and Examples.

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Published: April 13, 2024 | Last Updated: May 29, 2024

Cyberpunk is a science fiction genre set in a dystopian future focused on “high tech and low life.” It features advanced technological and scientific achievements, such as artificial intelligence (AI) and cybernetics, juxtaposed with a degree of breakdown or radical change in the social order. The genre explores themes of complex technology impacting human lives, especially regarding identity and ethics. The first film widely recognized as cyberpunk was Blade Runner (1982), directed by Ridley Scott.

Cyberpunk films offer commentary on contemporary societal issues, reflecting deep-seated anxieties about the future of technology and its impact on human society.

In that sense, Cyberpunk movies have never been more relevant than today with the advent of AI models, breakthroughs in robots, and human-machine interfaces.

Origins in Science Fiction Literature

The Cyberpunk genre has its roots in science fiction. Fx, Philip K. Dick’s novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? (1968) was adapted into the film Blade Runner (1982) – probably the most iconic cyberpunk film of all time.

Bruce Bethke coined the term “cyberpunk” in his 1983 short story Cyberpunk. The word combines “cyber,” which refers to cybernetics, with “punk,” associated with rebellion and disregarding societal norms.

This fusion perfectly encapsulates the genre, which explores themes of artificial intelligence, hacking, and dystopian futures through narratives centered on antiheroes and social outcasts.

William Gibson’s seminal novel Neuromancer (1984) is often credited with pioneering these motifs. His depiction of cyberspace and hackers and the gritty underbelly of society intertwined with mega-corporations and technology set cyberpunk’s foundational aesthetics and themes.

Neuromancer even introduced the concept of “cyberspace,” a term we all use today in discussions of virtual reality and the internet.

## Notable Cyberpunk Works:

- **Neuromancer** by William Gibson: Perhaps the most famous cyberpunk novel, it coined many terms essential to the genre and established many of its norms.
- **Blade Runner** (1982 film directed by Ridley Scott): Based on Philip K. Dick's novel "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?", this film is a cornerstone of cyberpunk visual aesthetics.
- **Akira** (1988 film directed by Katsuhiro Otomo): A seminal anime that brought cyberpunk themes into the realm of Japanese animation.
- **Ghost in the Shell** (Manga and anime series): Explores themes of self-identity in a technologically advanced world.
- **Cyberpunk 2077** (Video game developed by CD Projekt): A recent entry into the genre, featuring an open-world RPG experience set in the dystopian Night City.
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Key Aesthetic Elements of Cyberpunk

Below, I’ve listed key prominent cyberpunk motifs common in literature, film, anime, and video games.

Futuristic Cityscapes: Often set in dystopian future settings, cyberpunk stories occur in sprawling urban environments illuminated by neon signs and advertisements and overshadowed by gargantuan skyscrapers.

Advanced Technology: Technologies like cybernetics, virtual reality, and artificial intelligence play significant roles. Characters might have cybernetic enhancements or the ability to interface directly with computers.

Social Issues: Despite the advanced technology, poverty, inequality, and corruption are often widespread. The division between the powerful and the powerless is a central theme.

Antiheroes: Protagonists in cyberpunk narratives are often antiheroes. They are typically marginalized, alienated loners living on society’s edge.

Corporate Dominance: Large corporations often have more power than the government, controlling almost every aspect of life. These mega-corporations are usually depicted as manipulative and oppressive.

Noir Influence: Cyberpunk is strongly influenced by film noir, which features dark and brooding narratives filled with cynical attitudes and moral ambiguity. This is most apparent within the tech noir genre, strongly influenced by film noir and cyberpunk.

Themes

The cyberpunk genre primarily explores themes of high-tech and low-life. It features advanced technological and scientific achievements contrasted with a degree of breakdown or radical change in the social order.

Themes in cyberpunk often revolve around conflicts like tech vs. human, poor vs. rich (corporate), and what it means to be human, set against a backdrop of urban decay in mega-cities.

Technological Dystopias

In cyberpunk films, the theme of technological dystopia often takes center stage, depicting worlds where society has succumbed to technology’s overwhelming influence.

These films explore the negative impacts of technological advancements, often highlighting issues of surveillance, dehumanization, and the loss of privacy.

A prime example of this theme is Blade Runner (1982), which presents a future where bioengineered beings blur the lines between human and machine, raising profound ethical questions.

Corporate Dominance

The theme of corporate dominance is prevalent in cyberpunk cinema, where powerful corporations often replace governments and wield enormous power over individuals and society.

This theme reflects concerns about the monopolization of power by large entities and the erosion of individual rights. RoboCop (1987) powerfully illustrates this theme, showing a corporation that rebuilds the main character into a product they own and control, enforcing their version of law and order.

Urban Decay

Urban decay is another significant theme in cyberpunk films, depicting cities that, despite technological advancements, have fallen into disrepair and lawlessness. This setting is a backdrop for narratives exploring social inequality and the divide between different socioeconomic groups.

Judge Dredd (1995) provides a stark visualization of this theme, depicting Mega-City One, a vast urban landscape with crime and corruption controlled by a few.

Identity and Humanity

Questions of identity and humanity frequently surface in cyberpunk films, where characters grapple with the essence of what it means to be human in a high-tech world.

Cyberpunk films often feature protagonists who are cyborgs, androids, or enhanced humans, challenging viewers to consider where humanity ends and technology begins.

Ghost in the Shell (1995) explores these issues, focusing on a protagonist seeking to understand her identity and humanity within a cybernetic body.

Resistance and Rebellion

The cyberpunk genre is characterized by resistance and rebellion against oppressive systems. Characters in these stories often oppose totalitarian regimes or corporate giants, fighting for freedom or personal autonomy.

The Matrix (1999) epitomizes this theme, with its characters awakening to the truth of their existence and rebelling against a simulated reality controlled by machines.

Impact on Video Games and Anime

Video games and anime have significantly shaped and expanded the cyberpunk genre.

Titles like Deus Ex and Cyberpunk 2077 let players explore intricately detailed cyberpunk settings, emphasizing player agency and complex narratives.

In anime, Akira (1988) and Ghost in the Shell (1995) have played central roles in popularizing cyberpunk themes worldwide.

Cyberpunk’s Influence on Culture and Technology

Beyond entertainment, cyberpunk has influenced real-world technology and culture. The genre’s focus on cyberspace, hackers, and artificial intelligence has paralleled technological advancements and shaped public perceptions of them.

Cyberpunk has also offered a critical lens to view the implications of rapid technological growth on society, such as privacy, security, and the digital divide.

Summing Up

Cyberpunk films like Blade Runner (1982) and The Matrix (1999) have introduced a gritty, neon-lit view of dystopian futures where technology and human life blend in complex and often disturbing ways.

These movies pioneered stunning visual effects (that still look awesome today!) and explored deep philosophical questions about identity, reality, and humanity.

Today, cyberpunk continues to be relevant, as it mirrors many contemporary issues, such as corporate dominance, the merging of humans with machines, and the role of technology in societal shifts.

Up Next: What is The Uncanny Valley in Film?

By Jan Sørup

Jan Sørup is a indie filmmaker, videographer and photographer from Denmark. He owns filmdaft.com and the Danish company Apertura, which produces video content for big companies in Denmark and Scandinavia. Jan has a background in music, has drawn webcomics, and is a former lecturer at the University of Copenhagen.

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