Your Low-Sci Streaming Guide: 15 Indie Sci-Fi Movies to Stream Right Now
“Low-sci” describes independent science-fiction films with big ideas and small budgets. This year was a great one for the genre, which has been coming into its own over the past decade. For those looking to catch up, here’s a starter list of 15 recent low-sci films now available to stream online.
Coherence (2014) – This brain-bending psychological thriller, about a dinner party that fractures into parallel realities, cracked the Top 20 in our best films of the year list. For our super-spoilery interview with the director, go here. Streaming on Amazon Prime, iTunes, Vudu, and Xbox.
Under the Skin (2014) – Another of the year’s best movies in any genre, this one features an unforgettable performance by Scarlett Johansson as a predatory alien. Streaming on Amazon Prime, Vudu, Xbox, and Google Play.
The One I Love (2014) – A sharp, funny, and fascinating movie about a couple (Elisabeth Moss and Mark Duplass) whose romantic getaway is thwarted by unexpected guests. To find out how director Charlie McDowell kept his plot twist under wraps, go here. Streaming on Amazon, iTunes, Vudu, Xbox, and Google Play.
In Your Eyes (2014) – The Avengers writer-director Joss Whedon wrote this tiny film about a romance that blossoms between two strangers (Zoe Kazan and Michael Stahl-David) who discover they are psychically connected. Available on Amazon, iTunes, Vudu, and Xbox.
Radio Free Albemuth (2010) – A record store clerk in 1985 experiences life-changing extra-terrestrial visions in this smart and faithful adaptation of Philip K. Dick’s novel, which finally became available for streaming this year. Streaming on Netflix, Amazon, iTunes, Vudu, Xbox, and Google Play.
Primer (2004) and Upstream Color (2013) – Shane Carruth’s 77-minute time-travel film Primer launched the modern low-sci genre and remains a must-see. Upstream Color, his self-released follow-up, is even more cryptic and just as compelling. Primer is streaming on Hulu, Amazon, iTunes, and Xbox. Upstream Color is streaming on Netflix, Amazon, iTunes, Vudu, and Xbox.
Robot and Frank (2012) – A touching, unique film about a retired cat burglar (Frank Langella) who uses his assisted-living robot to revisit his criminal past. Streaming on Netflix and Amazon Prime.
Looper (2012) – Rian Johnson’s imaginative action film, about an assassin caught in a time loop, boasts a A-list cast (Bruce Willis, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Emily Blunt) but was made for just $30 million. Streaming on Amazon, iTunes, and Vudu.
Love (2011) and The Signal (2014) – Director William Eubank’s sci-fi films boast outsized ambitions and knockout low-budget visual effects. Love is streaming on Netflix, Hulu, Amazon, and iTunes. The Signal is streaming on Amazon, Xbox, Vudu, Target Ticket, and Flixster.
Another Earth (2011) – In this affecting drama, a newly-discovered planet offers a teenage girl (played by screenwriter Brit Marling) a chance to start life over. Streaming on Amazon, iTunes, Vudu, Flixster, Target Ticket, and Xbox.
Melancholia (2011) – A young bride (Kirsten Dunst) grapping with depression faces the literal end of the world in director Lars Von Trier’s bleak, lovely sci-fi drama. Streaming on Netflix, Amazon Prime, iTunes, Target Ticket, Vudu, and Xbox.
Attack the Block (2011) - A group of kids from the projects takes on alien invaders in this high-adrenaline British film, the feature debut of Star Wars: The Force Awakens star John Boyega. Streaming on Amazon, iTunes, and Vudu.
TiMER (2009) – This fresh romantic comedy imagines a world in which countdown clocks can tell people when they’ll meet their soulmates. Streaming on Netflix.
Moon (2009) – A lone astronaut (Sam Rockwell) in charge of a lunar mining facility makes a startling discovery about his identity as he prepares to leave the moon. Duncan Jones’ impressive directorial debut is essentially a one-man film, though Kevin Spacey contributes with one of the all-time great computer voices. Streaming on Amazon, iTunes, and Vudu.
