40K Pop-Khorne: Dystopian Societies
The Grimdark’s Imperium is a messed-up place. Today we look at some movies to get you in that same headspace.
Welcome to another edition of Pop-Khorne, the intersection of Warhammer and Pop-Culture. On the menu today is a suite of movies that reflect the Dystopian societies of the Grimdark. Maybe you are trying to find some inspiration for your next army or maybe you just need something to put on in the background while you get into a Grimdark mindset. If you want to feel the oppression of the Imperium, these movies have got you covered.
Equilibrium (2002)
This movie is all about a society with a LOT of repressed emotions. Also, they burn things that are considered “heretical” to their beliefs. These things are typically classic works of art, literature, music, and culturally significant items. It’s very 1984 (which is a BOOK you should read because holy crap…it’s very influential to lots of works on this list).
Anyhow, this movie does have some pretty solid action and the plot is one part revenge, one part overthrowing the system, and one part silly gunplay. That said, it’s pretty enjoyable and great for “watching” while you’re painting or playing around with the Grimdark.
V For Vendetta (2005)
This is another movie about an oppressive government that has taken over and has complete control over their citizens. The movie itself focuses more on the characters living in this world, the concept of the uber oppressive government shares a lot of ideas with the Imperium in 40k. Spoiler: The good guys do end-up starting a movement for change and this was truly a grimdark tale, the movie would end with a fleet of ships arriving from warp to bring in a supression force and/or carpet bomb the planet. But it’s not – it’s based off the excellent Alan Moore graphic novel which you should ALSO check out.
THX 1138 (1971)
If you replaced the Android Police with Arbites and substituted the emotion suppressing drug for Imperial Litanies, I’m pretty sure you’d have a good idea of what daily life is like for your Imperial Citizen with this movie. Sure, this is technically a love story just don’t expect a happy ending. This movie is heavy on the Metaphors and has a pretty bleak outlook on the future – that’s what makes it’ Grimdark approved!
Escape From New York (1981)
Escape From New York is another classic from John Carpenter. It’s stars Kurt Russell as the iconic Snake Plissken who’s been capture by the police force. He’s coerced to go into New York to save the President on what’s basically a suicide mission. A fun action romp and an interesting mix of retro-futurism, this movie is a great example of John Carpenter’s extrapolated-metaphoric storytelling. He takes a concept to the extreme by using the story’s subtext as a metaphor for what “could” happen based on the society he was living in at the time.
In terms of Grimdarkness, this movie has the overly oppressive government for sure. It also features what happens to places where the government can’t reach – like the Prison of New York. When I watch this movie, I imagine this is what life would be like if you lived in a Hive like Necromunda. Walled in, forced to make due with that is available to you, and gangs everywhere – life would be extremely rough. Sounds like the Grimdark to me!
Dredd (2012)
Look, I was trying to avoid using Dredd in this list, but honestly, it’s just too darn perfect. Dredd is Grimdark. It paints a vivid picture of what life in such a crowded place would look like, and a place where Arbites are the law of the land. Naturally, there are some bad apples as that’s what happens when you give people that much power. But Dredd is different. He’s super-human in the fact that he is uncorruptible by that same power. He is the ideal Judge and if you watch the movie, you can trace the other character’s arcs, but Dredd is still Dredd at the end of it.
What’s great about this movie is that all you’d have to do to make this a story set in 40k is call him Arbite Dredd. That’s pretty much it. If you wanted to know what daily life is like in the dystopian future of 40k, watch this movie.
There are lots more Dystopian movies out there that didn’t make our list (plus how many time can talk about Starship Troopers, right?) – what Dystopian Future movies remind you of the Grimdark? Let us know in the comments!
