Children of Men, 2006

As we approach two decades since the release of Children of Men, the movie only gets more relevant. That’s not really a good thing considering the dystopian hell that is Alfonso Cuarón’s 2006 film. Starring Clive Owen, Julianne Moore, Michael Caine, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and Charlie Hunnam, Children of Men introduces audiences to a world in which the human race has become completely infertile and mass hysteria has turned governments like the United Kingdom into extremely xenophobic police states. The film’s portrayal of a world dominated by a government’s willingness to constantly torture their own people, who become become increasingly divided over extremist beliefs. It’s a plot that feels all-too-familiar in today’s political climate.

At the heart of all this horror however, is a story that does center on hope and the power of community. Watching Owen’s Theo bond with Kee (Clare-Hope Ashitey), the only known pregnant woman on Earth, is beautiful. On top of that, Cuarón makes Children of Men a gorgeous movie to watch despite its subject matter—like with an amazing, unforgettable unbroken shot that still takes my breath away. And for video game fans you can watch this knowing that it was a big inspiration for The Last of Us, for what that’s worth. — Willa Rowe