A hundred or so years in the future, humanity clings to life in underground bunkers, trying to wait out the devastation of climate change. What survives appears less human and more automaton in nature: self-expression and human desire are mediated by drugs and punishments doled out by “the system,” an enigmatic, computer-run government that prioritizes the survival of “the young generation” above all else. When the woman living with her family in Unit 2121 “expects new life,” the family must come to terms with the subsequent “harvesting” of their grandmother to make room.
2121 is a love-it-or-hate-it type of movie. Non-professional reviews don’t stray far from the extremes. And while there are many good elements to this film, you should take that divisive sentiment seriously. If your patrons love Turkish sci-fi media like Yakamoz S-245 and G.O.R.A., they’ll be more likely to enjoy 2121 than someone who couldn’t tell Turkish from Serbian. So, while I’m delivering a fairly positive review of this film, your mileage may vary greatly. With that spiel out of the way, we can delve into what sets 2121 apart: its gritty yet storybook portrayal of post-apocalyptic isolation. The filters and staging, fantastic acting, and unique sets and costumes are what really stayed with me after viewing this movie.
The setting, however, seems underexplored, and the story is limited by a small budget. What feels at first like Logan’s Run meets Brave New World falls flat when most of the action happens in places we can't see—likely because there was no money left for laboratories or combat scenes. Perhaps if they’d gone a bit more Waiting for Godot and a little less 1984, they could have adapted this setting to the budget more efficiently and creatively. But as it stands, the story itself feels a bit derivative. The characters, however, save the film with their multi-faceted actions and motivations.
If your patrons love foreign-language sci-fi or films with a psychological edge, you should consider adding 2121: Once Upon a Time in the Future to your collection. Highly Recommended.
What makes 2121 a unique Turkish sci-fi film?
2121 stands out in the Turkish sci-fi landscape for its stylized portrayal of a post-apocalyptic world filtered through a minimalist, budget-conscious lens. Unlike many Western sci-fi blockbusters, 2121 relies on atmosphere, mood, and character psychology rather than special effects. It shares thematic DNA with dystopian classics like 1984 and Brave New World, but filters them through a distinctly Turkish lens, echoing national concerns about generational survival and societal control. The strong performances and visual creativity push this indie production beyond its financial limitations.
Why should public and academic libraries add this Turkish sci-fi film?
Libraries looking to expand their world cinema or speculative fiction collections should strongly consider 2121. It offers a compelling example of how genre filmmaking is evolving globally, especially outside of Hollywood. Its cultural specificity also makes it ideal for discussions on transnational cinema, dystopian narratives, and Turkish media studies. For academic settings, the film can prompt valuable conversation in courses on comparative literature, sociology, or media theory. For public libraries, it caters to fans of international science fiction looking for something fresh, atmospheric, and thematically rich.