To say that expectations were high forGeorge Miller’s latest film,Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, would be an understatement.TheMad Maxfranchisehas been critically acclaimed, with particular praise given toCharlize Theron’s inspiring performance as Imperator Furiosa inMad Max: Fury Road. However,Furiosa: A Mad Max Sagais a deeply personal revenge epic that serves as a compelling prequel to theMad Maxfranchise.Anya Taylor-Joydelivers a brilliant performance worthy of the character’s legacy, and Miller once again visualizes some of the most outstanding action sequences in recent memory.
WhileFuriosawill certainly be one of 2024’s most discussed films, the future ofMad Maxis unclear, even though Miller hashinted at the possibility of another spinoff.Furiosacombines several cinematic genresthat may inspire film fans to dig up some classics, including allusions to the history of Western, science fiction, action, and epic cinema.These movies ae great options for all those who lovedFuriosa: A Mad Max Sagaand wish to experience more of the same thrilling, challenging, and layered storytelling.
10‘Ben-Hur’ (1959)
Directed by William Wyler
Previous installments in theMad Maxfranchise squarely focused on the titular character. However,Furiosais an epic that chronicles how the world descended into a war-torn wasteland starved of resources. There isn’t another epic film in history that has been as acclaimed asBen-Hur. Witha record-breaking eleven Academy Award wins,William Wyler’s historic masterpiece is still heralded as a groundbreaking work of craftsmanship.
LikeFuriosa,Ben-Huris also an emotional epic; the film tackles serious themes about faith, loyalty, brotherhood, and leadership. Similarly,Furiosashows the importance of practical stunts when creating action set pieces, as Miller did not rely heavily on computer-generated imagery. Meanwhile, the incredible stunts inBen-Hurstill look amazing today, with the infamous “chariot race” sequence ending the film on a powerful note.
9‘Escape From New York’ (1981)
Directed by John Carpenter
TheMad Maxfranchise epitomized the post-apocalyptic action genre, showing how easily a seemingly stable world could become “mad” due to the collapse of infrastructure and government. Similarly, John Carpenter offered a chilling look at the future with his classic action epicEscape From New York. Set in a future where humanity’s most vile criminals have been trapped within New York City, the film follows the anti-hero Snake Plissken (Kurt Russell) as he goes on a dangerous mission to rescue the daughter of the President of the United States.
While its action has been criticized, The highly stylizedEscape From New Yorksucceeds due to its elaborate production design,which offers audiences a touch of familiarity when detailing the collapse of New York. This may have been something that Miller kept in mind when designing the massive locations ofFuriosa, as they all resemble places that could have existed prior to the societal breakdown.
Escape From New York
8‘Children of Men’ (2006)
Directed by Alfonso Cuarón
Furiosa: A Mad Max Sagais a dark and, at times, upsetting film, but it’s also a hopeful story. Furiosa is ultimately fighting to return to her home and ensure that the next generation of young women does not have to undergo the same hardship that she does.Children of Menexplores the emergence of hope during the darkest stage of a dystopia.
Set in a world where no new children have been born for generations,Alfonso Cuarón’s science fiction masterpiece follows the former activist Theo (Clive Owen) as he attempts to transport a pregnant teenager to safety. LikeFuriosa,Children of Menis a road trip adventure that features no shortage of great action.An iconic tracking shotin which Theo and his ex-wife, Julian (Julianne Moore), escape from a group of military extremists is the type of intimate spectacle that Miller would surely be proud of.
Children of Men
Directed by John Hillcoat
AlthoughFuriosa: A Mad Msx Sagais packed with shocking moments of spectacle, it’s also a contemplative film about an isolated young girl who has lost her family. The brutal post-apocalyptic thrillerThe Roadshows the importance of familial bonding in the aftermath of a cataclysmic event.Based on a novel bythe late great authorCormac McCarthy,The Roadcenters on a father (Viggo Mortensen) attempting to bring his young son (Kodi Smit-McPhee) to safety when humanity turns on itself.
The RoadandFuriosaexplore how scary the apocalypse can be from a child’s perspective.Smit-McPhee gives an extraordinary performance inThe Road, andFuriosafeatures a breakout role forAlyla Browneas the younger version of the titular character. Both films work as very untraditional coming-of-age stories set within a ruthless and revealing reality.
6‘Hanna’ (2011)
Directed by Joe Wright
Furiosais refreshing because it’s the rare blockbuster action film that doesn’t hide its overt feminist themes. Although she is initially forced to hide her identity, Furiosa learns to become an avenger of all the women Dementus (Chris Hemsworth) has abused by transporting them to safety.Hannais another action-packed thriller with a dynamic female performance at its center.
Saoirse Ronangives one of the best performances of her career as a young girl raised in the wilderness and trained by her ex-CIA agent father, Erik (Eric Bana). LikeFuriosa,Hannafeatures a terrifying villain whose malevolence makes the protagonist more vulnerable.As haunting as Hemsworth’s characterization of Dementus is,Cate Blanchett’s underrated performanceas the ruthless CIA agent Marissa Wiegler inHannamight be even more intense.
5‘The Rover’ (2014)
Directed by David Michod
An Australian neo-Western set in the aftermath of a post-apocalyptic event,The Roveris a film that’s tailor-made for fans of theMad Maxfranchise.The film follows a lonely veteran (Guy Pearce) who goes on a quest for vengeance after his car is stolen by a robber (Scoot McNairy) and his gang. To gain leverage, he kidnaps the robber’s brother (Robert Pattinson) and holds him hostage.
BothThe RoverandFuriosaare bleak character studies that feature impressive physical performances from their lead actors.Pearce is nearly silent for all ofThe Roverbut still sheds insight into the tragic backstory that shaped him into the drifter that he became. Similarly, Taylor-Joy gives a very expressive performance inFuriosa, even though the titular character isn’t very verbose.The Roverfurther benefits from Pattinson’s performance, resulting in a worthy and severely underrated neo-Western that fans ofMad Maxwill surely enjoy.
4‘War for the Planet of the Apes’ (2017)
Directed by Matt Reeves
Furiosais compelling because it’s both completely epic and highly personal. While the film wrestles with the fate of humanity, it’s really an intimate character study about one girl’s fight to reclaim her family.War for the Planet of the Apestakes thePlanet of the Apesfranchise into the post-apocalypseas Caesar (Andy Serkis) fights to protect his people from a ruthless warlord known as “The Colonel” (Woody Harrelson).
AlthoughtheApesmovies have gone to some strange places,War for the Planet of the Apesis easily the darkest and most emotional in the series. Both are deeply steeped in science fiction mythology, butFuriosaandWar for the Planet of the Apesfeature religious allusions to an “Exodus journey.”Furiosa aims to return to the “green place” where she grew up, and Caesar leads the apes to a peaceful location where they will no longer be hunted by mankind.
War for the Planet of the Apes
Directed by Drew Goddard
One of the most surprisingly entertaining aspects ofFuriosais the haunting performance by Hemsworth as the main villain, Dementus. While he’s best known for his role as Thor within the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Hemsworth sheds his inherent charisma to play a crazed and sadistic warlord.Hemsworth first showed he could play a dark characterin the highly underrated neo-noir thrillerBad Times At The El Royale.
The 1960s-set film cast Hemsworth against type as a cult leader who could be compared to Charles Manson. LikeFuriosa,Bad Times At The El Royaleis a long movie that keeps the audience on their toes for the entire run time.Despite being well over 140 minutes, the film packs in enough twists and turns to be consistently engaging while boasting a scene-stealing villainous turn from the usually comedic Hemsworth.
Bad Times at the El Royale
Directed by Taylor Sheridan
Furiosamay be a foreboding warning about the near future, but it’s deeply influenced by the classics of the Western genre.Those Who Wish Me Deadis a stylized neo-Western that focuses on a strong female character.Angelina Joliestars as a firefighter who avoids two ruthless killers (Aidan GillenandNicholas Hoult) as she attempts to protect a young boy.The sharp writing byTaylor Sheridancontains several allusions to classic gunslinger adventures.
LikeFuriosa,Those Who Wish Me Deadis an emotional examination of trauma and lossthat examines the challenges women face when trying to hide their vulnerabilities. While it contains some widely inventive and surprisingly violent action sequences,Those Who Wish Me Deaddoes not settle for anything less than complete emotional authenticity during its quieter character bonding moments.
Those Who Wish Me Dead
1‘The Northman’ (2022)
Directed by Robert Eggers
Furiosamay feature one of Anya Taylor-Joy’s best performances, but it’s not the first time that she appeared in a violent revenge epic.The Northmanisa gripping historical action filmthat serves as a loose reimagining of William Shakespeare’s classic tragedy,Hamlet.Alexander Skarsgårdstars as a powerful warrior who raises an army to avenge the death of his father (Ethan Hawke) and rescue his mother (Nicole Kidman).
Miller is one of the most inventive visual storytellers of all time, butRobert Eggers inserts some instantly iconic imagery intoThe Northman. While the epic land battles are about as gritty and realistic as they can be, Eggers also adds an element of surrealism through chaotic dream sequences. The film’s ultra-violence is certainly not for the faint of heart, butthose who enjoyed the revenge aspect ofFuriosamay find a lot to appreciate inThe Northman.
The Northman
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