Children of Men: The Future Is a Mirror for the Present

Children of Men (2006), directed by Alfonso Cuarón, is considered one of the best science fiction films of the 21st century because it uses a dystopian premise—a world where humans can no longer produce children—to make pointed political commentary about present-day issues including authoritarianism, immigrant exploitation, and the role of faith in society. The film, loosely adapted from P.D. James's 1992 novel, exemplifies how all science fiction is inherently political and how stories about the future ultimately reflect concerns of the present. The film has only grown more relevant and powerful in the two decades since its release.