The original post: /r/movies by /u/prospect_0 on 2024-10-13 03:34:38.

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I’m trying to put together a list of movies that do a lot with a little. Mostly these tend to be sci fi movies (but not always) that are able to present an out of this world concept without coming across as cheaply made. Sometimes I find these movies more interesting because in addition to their realistic visuals (lack of CGI), their lack of budget requires them to really focus on the human element. I also enjoy how they often don’t visually show the “impossible”, thereby forcing the viewer to conjure it in their own mind, much like a book would.

Here are some that I think fit this criteria. I’d love to hear what you all think.

Primer

The Endless

Coherence

Ex machina

Another Earth

Late Night with the Devil

The Mist

10 Cloverfield Ln

Memento

Signs

Blair Witch

Saw

The Purge

Knock at the Cabin

Edit:

In my mind this list isn’t based strictly on budget, but movies that use clever storytelling or movie tricks to do the heavy lifting of conveying big concepts.

Additions:

Moon

The Cube

The Battery

The Man from Earth

Her

Palm Springs