Monkeying Around
Twelve Monkeys is one of those rare movies that translates perfectly to the small screen. In fact, the series sporting the same name is an absolute must-watch if you enjoyed this movie. If you’ve finished streaming this one and are looking for alternative movies though – fret not! We’ve combed through the archives and saved you the hassle with our top 10 picks. Of course for all the movies we’ve reviewed, we’ve also added a handy link so you can check out our full thoughts on that and see if it’s something you want to invest your time with. So without further ado, we present 10 movies to check out when you’ve finished watching Twelve Monkeys.
Interstellar
Interstellar is an interesting picture that explores some pretty profound sci-fi concepts. Specifically, Interstellar plays with the concept of time while depicting a perilous journey into outer space. At the center of this conflict lies a ravaged Earth, with humanity on its last legs and seemingly out of options. In a bid to try and save the human race, Cooper sets out with an eccentric group of explorers to travel through a wormhole in space to ensure humanity’s survival. What ensues is an intriguing, time-bending adventure that asks some pretty big, thought provoking questions about us as a species. This one won’t be for everyone but for those taken by the premise, there’s enough here to enjoy.
Primer
Where do you start with Primer? Trying to understand and explain Primer is difficult without giving key parts of the plot away. However, the basic premise here revolves around four friends who have each built a device. Primer is intentionally confusing with the way it’s edited and that will almost certainly frustrate people. It’s definitely one of the more polarizing time travel movies and it definitely won’t be for everyone. Given the movie was shot on a budget of under $10,000 though, this is a pretty impressive venture and if you’re up for something a bit different then this is worth checking out.
Dark City
Dark City is a gritty, moody film that shares some similar themes to Twelve Monkeys. Here though our protagonist is John Murdoch who awakens amnesia-stricken and alone in a strange hotel. Struggling to recall what’s happened to him, John is wanted by authorities for a series of brutal and bizarre murders. As John starts to piece together his past, he finds a murky underworld controlled by a group called The Strangers. These guys have the ability to put people to sleep and alter the city and its inhabitants. This causes Murdoch to set out and try to stop them before they take control of his mind. This unconventional sci-fi movie is incredibly unique and will undoubtedly keep you guessing right to the very end.
The Butterfly Effect
You could easily poke holes in The Butterfly Effect’s logic but there’s no denying that the film makes for an enthralling watch. Like Inception, this movie takes a unique idea and completely runs with it, producing a whole world around our protagonist that’s incredibly rewarding to watch play out. The story itself revolves around Evan Treborn who suffers blackouts during significant events of his life. As he grows up, he starts to remember these key moments, which shape the man into the person he becomes. Thrilling, exciting and full of neat ideas, this is the quintessential thriller for a real mind-bending ride.
Timecrimes
Timecrimes is a real sleeper hit and a compelling time loop movie that’s worth checking out if you’re looking for a decent Indie flick. The plot line centers on a man who accidentally gets into a time machine and travels back in time nearly an hour. From here, the movie explores all the usual shenanigans one would expect with a plot line like this. Timecrimes explores time travel in a pretty interesting way but unlike Primer, does so in a more simplistic way. It won’t be for everyone, and a lack of character growth does hold this one back. However, as an Indie, Timecrimes definitely has some great moments.
The Terminator
1984’s The Terminator is an absolute sci-fi classic. It’s also one of the few rare movies where the sequel is as good – if not better – than the original. The Terminator depicts a dystopian 2029 future where machines have conquered the entire world. Within this post-apocalyptic vision, an indestructible cyborg-assassin known simply as Terminator is dispatched to kill humankind’s most important woman – Sarah Connor. As he jumps back through time, so too does Kyle Reese, a brave soldier from the human Resistance Army who tries to stop this cybernetic killer. But how do you stop an unstoppable machine? Well written, brilliantly paced and featuring some memorable moments, The Terminator is a must-watch.
Predestination
Predestination is another time loop movie that manages to keep you guessing right up until the very end. In fact, Predestination is pretty clever with its twists, keeping its cards close to its chest until the film’s conclusion. The plot centers on a temporal agent who is sent on an intricate series of time-travel journeys designed to ensue the continuation of his own career for all eternity. Now onto his final assignment, this agent is tasked with pursuing the one criminal that’s eluded him through time. To give much more away would be disservice to this excellent movie. If you’re looking for a good time-bending hit, this one is definitely worth a watch.
Mr. Nobody
In a utopian future, Nemo Nobody is 118 years old and now officially the oldest man alive. He’s also faced with the choice of immortality. While grappling with whether to go ahead with this or not, Nemo recounts his life as a young boy where a single decision changed his life forever – choosing to stay with his Mother or leaving with his Father. This simple choice then spans multiple different timelines, each one played out on the big screen in impressive fashion. This time-bending, thought provoking picture is well worth a watch.
Brazil
Brazil is an eerie and chilling vision of our future, complete with Orwellian authoritarianism in the form of the Ministry of Information. It’s also another movie Directed by Terry Gilliam so it definitely has some familiar themes. At the center of this is Sam Lowry, a low-level bureaucrat working for said company. A paperwork mix-up leads to the imprisonment of a man named Mr Buttle, who happens to be a shoe repairman. Only, the real culprit is actually illegal freelancer Harry Tuttle. When Sam tries to correct this mistake, he becomes hunted by the state and branded a terrorist. gets branded a terrorist. Wonderfully surreal and packed full of memorable moments, Brazil is arguably the most entertaining nightmare filmed for the big screen. It’s a wild ride that never lets up, making for an unforgettable ride.
Source Code
Suspenseful and mind-bending, Source Code adds its own unique spin on a time-loop concept and cranks up the tension to extreme levels. The story revolves around army captain Colter Stevens, who finds himself working on a special program where his consciousness can be inserted into another human being. However, there’s a catch – it will only allow a person to stay for 8 minutes at a time. That morning, a bomb blast explodes a commuter train outside Chicago, prompting the team to uncover what happened. In order to do so, Colter occupies the body of a teacher on his morning commute; onboard the very same train that’s due to explode. Now it’s up to Colter to figure out who the bomber is and where the bomb is located. Tick tock. This movie is dripping in tension and really puts the thrill in the word thriller. So there we have it, our 10 Movie picks to keep you busy after watching Twelve Monkeys. What do you think of our picks? Do you agree? Are there any notable omissions? Let us know in the comments below!
Click Here To Check Out More Movie Recommendations!
