Gattaca
An aspiring astronaut outwits a genetically stratified future by living under the identity of a supposedly perfect man.
Overview
In a world where genetics determine destiny, one man's dream of space travel defies societal norms.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Mild
- austere
- cerebral
- foreboding
- thoughtful movie night
- science fiction marathon
What critics said
Critics broadly praised Gattaca as an intelligent, absorbing, and scientifically provocative science fiction drama with strong thematic richness.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Vincent is classified as an invalid and denied professional opportunities because of predicted genetic defects.
Vincent uses Jerome Morrow's identity and repeatedly defeats DNA and urine screening to gain access to space travel.
The sleek future architecture, formal costumes, shadowed interiors, and murder investigation evoke mid-century noir while remaining technologically futuristic.
Vincent pursues astronaut training and a space mission despite institutional forecasts that define him as physically incapable.
Films like Gattaca, and why
The Matrix
shares dystopian science fiction, identity concealment, institutional surveillance, and ethical anxiety about technological control
Blade Runner
shares cerebral science fiction, noir-inflected investigation, oppressive social systems, and questions about human identity
Never Let Me Go
shares near-future dystopia, genetic or biological social stratification, and a determined outsider challenging an engineered hierarchy
Equilibrium
shares sleek art-directed science fiction, bureaucratic discrimination, and a protagonist pursuing freedom within a controlled society
Movie Details
- Director
- Andrew Niccol
- Release Date
- 1997-07-09
- Runtime
- 107 min
- Rating
- 7.6 / 10 (7170)
Cast
- Ethan Hawke
- Uma Thurman
- Jude Law
- Alan Arkin
- Loren Dean
- Gore Vidal
- Tony Shalhoub
- Ernest Borgnine
- Blair Underwood
- Xander Berkeley
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Sony Pictures Core Amazon Channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Plex
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Gattaca about?
- An aspiring astronaut outwits a genetically stratified future by living under the identity of a supposedly perfect man.
- What is Gattaca like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Gattaca as measured, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Gattaca violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Gattaca as mild.
- What did critics think of Gattaca?
- Critics broadly praised Gattaca as an intelligent, absorbing, and scientifically provocative science fiction drama with strong thematic richness.
- Which films are like Gattaca?
- Films with a similar feel include The Matrix, Blade Runner, Never Let Me Go, and Equilibrium.
- How long is Gattaca?
- Gattaca runs 107 minutes.
- Where can I watch Gattaca?
- In United States, Gattaca streams on Sony Pictures Core Amazon Channel.
