While it’s normal for a sci-fi thriller to be somewhat confusing on the first watch, some other movies in the genre remain perplexing even after multiple viewings. These films, often praised for their intellectual depth and complex narratives, challenge the boundaries of traditional storytelling and demand a higher level of engagement from their audience. From mind-bending explorations of time and space to surreal journeys into the human psyche, these movies tackle profound philosophical questions and abstract concepts that require careful analysis and interpretation.

Unlike more straightforward sci-fi movies about time travel or extraterrestrial encounters, these cerebral films often employ nonlinear narratives, symbolic imagery, and intricate plot devices to convey their ideas. While some may find these films pretentious or unnecessarily convoluted, others appreciate the opportunity to delve deeper into the material, uncovering new layers of meaning with each repeated viewing. Beneath the complex veneer of these thought-provoking sci-fi thrillers lies a core narrative that, when carefully examined, reveals itself to be more accessible than it initially appears.

10

Primer (2004)

Directed by Shane Carruth

Primer‘s convoluted plot and non-linear narrative structure contribute to its reputation as one of the most confusing science fiction films ever made. The movie’s complexity stems from its exploration of the paradoxical nature of time travel, as the protagonists, Abe and Aaron, inadvertently create multiple timelines and versions of themselves. These alternate selves interact with each other in increasingly intricate ways, making it challenging to keep track of the causal relationships and temporal loops that emerge.

Despite being a movie made on a budget of less than $500,000, Primer‘s intentional lack of expository dialogue and its reliance on scientific jargon further compound the confusion, forcing viewers to piece together the puzzle on their own. As Abe and Aaron’s actions become more reckless and their goals diverge, the narrative fractures into a labyrinthine web of cause and effect, blurring the lines between past, present, and future. This non-linear storytelling approach mirrors the disorienting nature of time travel itself, a metaphor for the paradoxes and contradictions inherent in manipulating the fabric of time.

9

Solaris (1972)

Directed by Andrei Tarkovsky

Solaris is known for its complex and enigmatic narrative that leaves many questions unanswered. The film’s ambiguity stems from its exploration of the nature of the sentient planet Solaris and its ability to manifest physical replicas of the crew’s loved ones based on their memories. These “memory clones” are never fully explained, and their purpose and the extent of Solaris’ powers remain unclear. The film’s slow pacing and lengthy runtime contribute to its challenging nature, as director Andrei Tarkovsky takes his time to develop the characters and their relationships with the mysterious clones.

Throughout the film, Tarkovsky employs symbolism and recurring motifs to explore themes of human narcissism, egotism, and the nature of reality. The subtext-heavy approach to storytelling adds to the film’s complexity, requiring active engagement with the material to draw conclusions. Ultimately, Solaris presents more questions than answers, challenging viewers to contemplate the nature of existence, memory, and the human condition.

8

Under The Skin (2013)

Directed by Johnathan Glazer

Surrealism and a mood-over-plot mentality take center stage in Under the Skin, a rare sci-fi effort that embraces ambiguity and leaves much open to interpretation. The film’s mysterious nature stems from its refusal to provide clear explanations for the characters’ identities, motivations, or the bizarre events that transpire on screen. Surreal imagery, such as pools of black goo and conveyor belts transporting what appear to be human organs, further contributes to the film’s perplexing atmosphere, inviting a deeper exploration of the visual cues presented.

At its core, Under the Skin follows a woman, played by Scarlett Johansson, who is believed to be an alien attempting to understand human behavior. As she seduces men and lures them into a mysterious black void, possibly to be consumed, her emotional state becomes increasingly unstable. The film reaches a disturbing climax when a logger in the Scottish Highlands discovers her true form beneath her human skin: a jet-black, humanoid alien. In a shocking finale, the logger sets her on fire after she removes all of her human skin, leaving the film’s unsettling and ambiguous themes to linger.

7

Interstellar (2014)

Directed by Christopher Nolan

In one of Christopher Nolan’s best movies, Interstellar explores the complexities of astrophysics, advanced civilizations, and non-linear storytelling. These themes intertwine to create a perplexing narrative that challenges the boundaries of human understanding. The film’s ambitious scope encompasses a multitude of scientific theories, mathematical concepts, and philosophical musings, weaving them into a tapestry of grand ideas that often overshadow the characters’ personal journeys.

As the protagonist, Joseph Cooper, embarks on a mission through a wormhole to find habitable planets and ensure humanity’s survival, the film delves into the intricacies of space-time and the paradoxical nature of causality. Cooper’s realization that he is the “ghost” who sent the cryptic message to his daughter, Murphy, in the past, sets in motion a confusing sequence of events that blur the lines between past, present, and future. Interstellar ultimately grapples with the profound notion that love transcends the boundaries of space and time, serving as a unifying force in the face of insurmountable odds.

6

Annihilation (2018)

Directed by Alex Garland

Annihilation weaves a nightmarish tale through a fragmented storytelling approach and subtle foreshadowing, contributing to the film’s perplexing nature. The mysterious “Shimmer,” an enigmatic entity at the heart of the story, remains largely unexplained throughout the film, with its origins and the extent of its abilities left open to interpretation. This ambiguity adds to the unsettling atmosphere, as the characters venture into an unknown realm where the laws of nature seem to have been distorted and reshaped.

As Lena and her team of researchers navigate the surreal landscape within the Shimmer, they encounter grotesque mutations and bizarre phenomena that defy conventional scientific understanding. The emergence of doppelgängers further complicates the narrative, blurring the lines between identity and reality. The film’s ambiguous ending, hinting at Lena’s potential transformation or replacement by a doppelgänger, adds another layer of complexity to the already confusing narrative, inviting multiple interpretations and sparking numerous discussions.

5

Looper (2012)

Directed by Rian Johnson

Looper is a complex tale of time-traveling hitmen that tries to explain the intricacies of temporal mechanics and the consequences of altering the past. The film’s premise, involving assassins known as “Loopers” who execute targets sent back from the future, sets the stage for a perplexing narrative that grapples with the intricate nature of time travel. The sparse explanations of the rules governing temporal displacement further contribute to the film’s atmosphere, as exemplified by a scene in which the older Joe dismisses the need for a detailed understanding of the mechanics at play.

The introduction of telekinetic abilities, seemingly unrelated to the central time travel narrative, adds another layer of complexity to the story. As the older Joe seeks to eliminate the villain in his childhood, Looper touches on the unintended consequences of altering the past. Despite the intricate plot and the potential inconsistencies in its time travel logic, the Bruce Willis science fiction movie, Looper, manages to craft a thought-provoking narrative that challenges viewers to untangle the knotted threads of cause and effect.

4

Inception (2010)

Directed by Christopher Nolan

The complexity of Inception stems from its intricate dreamscapes and the labyrinthine rules that govern them. Nolan’s film presents a world where dreams can be infiltrated and manipulated, but the intricacies of this process are layered with perplexing concepts. The idea of “kicks,” or sudden jolts that propel dreamers from one level to another, further complicates the already convoluted plot, blurring the boundaries between the real and the imagined.

As the characters from Inception delve deeper into the subconscious, the film’s philosophical underpinnings come to the fore, raising profound questions about the nature of reality and the malleability of the human mind. Inception‘s ambiguous ending further enhances the perplexing nature of the story. Ultimately, Inception‘s complexity lies in its ability to weave together multiple strands of reality, leaving viewers grappling with the intricacies of the dream world.

3

Coherence (2013)

Directed by James Ward Byrkit

Coherence‘s narrative unfolds through a deceptively simple premise: a dinner party on the night a comet passes overhead. However, as the evening progresses, the film gradually introduces a series of strange variables that subvert expectations and lead the characters down a rabbit hole of parallel realities and existential quandaries. The complexity of Coherence lies in its ability to portray numerous possibilities and outcomes, making it difficult to keep track of the shifting dynamics and the blurring boundaries between alternate versions of the characters.

The actors were given minimal information and encouraged to improvise, which adds an extra layer of unpredictability to the unfolding events. This unique method of production results in genuine reactions and surprises that mirror the characters’ own confusion and disorientation as they navigate the increasingly complex web of realities. Coherence rewards multiple viewings, as its subtle clues may elude even the most attentive viewer on the first watch.

2

Prometheus (2012)

Directed by Ridley Scott

The semi-prequel to the Alien film series, Prometheus delves into the origins of the iconic extraterrestrial creatures. In doing so, it introduces a myriad of perplexing themes and concepts that further complicate the already convoluted narrative. The film’s attempt to explore weighty philosophical questions, such as the existence of a higher power and the purpose of human existence, adds a layer of complexity to the story that may leave viewers grappling with more questions than answers.

As the characters embark on a journey to uncover the secrets of humanity’s origins, they encounter a series of cryptic clues and mysterious artifacts that hint at the involvement of an ancient, advanced civilization. Prometheus‘ ambiguity and open-ended nature leave ample room for interpretation, with many of its central mysteries remaining unresolved by the closing credits. This deliberate lack of clarity has led to much speculation and debate in an attempt to untangle the intricate web of symbolism and allegory woven throughout the narrative.

1

Tenet (2020)

Directed by Christopher Nolan

Another Christopher Nolan movie that people pretend to understand, Tenet is a sci-fi thriller that challenges traditional storytelling conventions with its complicated exploration of time inversion. This sci-fi concept, which allows objects and people to move backwards through time, creates a perplexing narrative where the conventional understanding of cause and effect is flipped upside down. As the protagonist navigates multiple timelines to prevent a future catastrophe, the intersecting events from the past, present, and future form a complex plot that requires close attention to detail.

Tenet’s plot is further complicated by a dense network of characters with obscured motivations and shifting allegiances. Tenet’s allies and enemies are not always clearly defined, and their true intentions are often masked by layers of deception and misdirection. The dialogue, laden with technical jargon and cryptic references, adds to the film’s intellectual demands, requiring active engagement with the material to unravel its meaning. Tenet stands as a challenging and thought-provoking cinematic experience that rewards those willing to invest the time and effort to unravel its mysteries.