Sci-Fi Cinema: 10 Films About Deserters

Description: Sean Connery plays a marshal on a mining colony who uncovers a drug conspiracy and decides to fight against the corrupt system, essentially deserting his post to do what's right.

Fact: The film was pitched as "High Noon in space," drawing direct inspiration from the classic Western.

Description: Arnold Schwarzenegger stars as Ben Richards, a pilot who refuses to fire on unarmed civilians and is subsequently framed and forced to participate in a deadly game show. His escape from this oppressive system makes him a deserter fighting for his life and freedom.

Fact: The film is loosely based on Stephen King's novel under the pseudonym Richard Bachman. The game show concept was inspired by real-life TV shows like "The Price is Right."

Description: While not a deserter in the military sense, Korben Dallas (Bruce Willis) abandons his taxi driver life to save the universe, essentially deserting his mundane existence for a higher purpose.

Fact: The film features a cameo by Jean-Paul Gaultier, who also designed the costumes, adding a unique fashion flair to the movie.

Description: In this dystopian future, Kurt Russell plays a genetically engineered soldier who is deemed obsolete and left for dead. His journey of survival and redemption makes him a deserter in the truest sense, as he abandons his programmed life for something more human.

Fact: The film was initially conceived as a sequel to "Blade Runner," but evolved into its own story. The set for the film's city was reused from "Blade Runner."

Description: Johnny Rico deserts his military career after the death of his friend, leading him to question the fascist society he's part of, eventually fighting for a different cause.

Fact: The film was initially misunderstood as a pro-war movie, but it's actually a satire of fascist militarism.

Description: While not a traditional deserter, Neo's choice to leave the Matrix and join the resistance against the machines can be seen as a form of desertion from the artificial world he once knew.

Fact: The film's "bullet time" effect was groundbreaking, requiring a complex setup of cameras to capture the slow-motion sequences.

Description: In a future where emotions are outlawed, Christian Bale plays a cleric who begins to question the regime after missing his dose of emotion-suppressing drugs. His desertion from the system leads to a rebellion against the totalitarian government.

Fact: The film's gun kata fighting style was created specifically for the movie, blending martial arts with gunplay.

Description: Riddick, once a convict, deserts his solitary life to save the universe from an impending threat, showcasing his transformation from a lone survivor to a reluctant hero.

Fact: Vin Diesel not only starred in but also produced the film, showing his deep commitment to the character and the franchise.

Description: Jake Sully, initially sent to infiltrate the Na'vi, ends up deserting his human identity to fight for the indigenous people of Pandora, marking a profound shift in allegiance.

Fact: The film's visual effects were so advanced that it won three Academy Awards for Best Art Direction, Best Cinematography, and Best Visual Effects.

Description: Matt Damon plays Max, a man who deserts his life on Earth to infiltrate Elysium, a space station where the elite live, in an attempt to save his life and bring equality to the masses.

Fact: The film's director, Neill Blomkamp, is known for his socially conscious sci-fi films, often exploring themes of inequality.