Blade Runner 2049, 2017

Every fan of Ridley Scott’s 1982 Blade Runner had some concerns about Blade Runner 2049. Scott’s original film is a masterpiece, and a sequel nearly 30 years later starring Ryan Gosling and Harrison Ford and directed by Denis Villeneuve could have gone one of two ways. Luckily, it went the good route—though 2049 is a bit too in love with its source material (the concept: a blackout led to a replicant rebellion that destroyed the Tyrell company, with a new one cropping up in its place), Villeneuve’s singular vision makes for one of the most beautiful sci-fi movies to ever grace the screen.

Its biggest flaw is its failure to engage in social commentary around police brutality and economic inequality considering the world in which it’s set, but if you can put aside your frustration, Blade Runner 2049 is a visual feast with a heartbreaking romance at its center. — Alyssa Mercante