Uncover the Hidden Gem: A Sci-Fi Masterpiece That Will Thrill Blade Runner Fans

Science fiction has a perpetual fascination with the concept of identity. How much of the human body can be replaced with cybernetics before one ceases to be themselves? Is it possible to program a machine to mimic or become a living person? In Cypher, Vincenzo Natali explores the notion of a man willingly transforming into someone else.

Vincenzo Natali is primarily recognized for his debut feature, Cube, which remains a cult classic despite its low budget. Its lasting impact on the genre cannot be understated. Natali garnered attention once more with his underrated 2009 sci-fi horror film, Splice. However, his latest work, the 2019 Stephen King adaptation In the Tall Grass, fails to live up to his directorial legacy. While Natali still possesses potential for creating exceptional films, his earlier works possess a wealth of hidden depth.

What is Cypher about?

Cypher revolves around Morgan Sullivan, an average man who becomes disenchanted with his mundane life after losing his accounting job. Despite his wife's suggestion to work for her father's company, Sullivan embarks on a new path in the world of corporate espionage. Landing a job at the prominent tech conglomerate Digicorp, he assumes a new identity as Jack Thursby and discreetly infiltrates rival corporations at conventions, recording their activities.

However, Sullivan's life takes a dark turn as he becomes entangled in a complex web of deceit, betrayal, and ever-changing motivations. Plagued by nightmares and chronic pain, he realizes that Digicorp is acknowledging transmissions he never sent. Rita, an agent from a rival firm, introduces him to a previously unknown side of the espionage world.

The story takes a dramatic twist when Sullivan discovers that every convention attendee believes they are the sole spy for Digicorp. Digicorp manipulates its potential agents by connecting them to mind-controlling helmets, erasing their true identities and replacing them with new ones. As the plot thickens, Sunway, a rival company, offers Sullivan the opportunity to deceive Digicorp with false information. Rita reveals that both companies have been using him for their own gain.

The narrative reaches its climax with a confrontation between Sullivan and Sunway's ruthless CEO, Sebastian Rooks. As identities blur and lies unravel, the movie transforms from a clever espionage thriller into a high-stakes Mission Impossible-like showdown.

What was Cypher inspired by?

Critics and audiences had differing opinions on the main influences of Cypher. Unlike Blade Runner, which was loosely adapted, Cypher is an original story. Natali has not extensively discussed the motivations behind creating Cypher. The script, originally titled Company Man, was written by Brian King several months before the film's production. While Cypher is an original work, it intentionally plays with the expectations set by other sci-fi works. Many contemporary critics compared it to various recent films, with Blade Runner being the primary candidate. The Manchurian Candidate was also considered, with some seeing it as a modern update of Richard Condon's classic. The Matrix, known for revolutionizing sci-fi cinema, also had thematic connections. Alex Proyas' Dark City was noted as a potential source of inspiration.

Phillip K. Dick is a prominent reference point for stories like Cypher. His work, particularly Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep, gained widespread recognition through Ridley Scott's adaptation. Dick's use of an unreliable narrator and uncertain reality are fundamental aspects of Natali's film. The central theme, like many of Dick's works, focuses on the mystery surrounding Sullivan's identity. It explores the malleability of humanity and the ability to rewrite one's identity, while emphasizing the importance of doing what is morally right even in the face of a nightmarish crisis of consciousness.

How does Cypher end?

Rita aids in Sullivan's escape from Sunway so he can make his appointment with Sebastian Rooks. Upon entering Rooks's room, Sullivan stumbles upon his own belongings, including a photo of himself with Rita. It turns out that Sullivan has been Rooks all along. Rooks and Rita are then attacked by armed security agents. In the midst of their escape, Rooks delves deep within to discover his love for Rita, which helps him find his true identity. Leading a skillful operation, Rooks eliminates the head of security at Digicorp and Sunway, successfully leaving the scene with Rita. He then disposes of the last remaining copy of Rita's persona and sets sail into the South Pacific with his beloved.

Cypher is a unique and captivating sci-fi thriller that skillfully explores familiar themes in a fresh and engaging manner. The plot is cleverly conveyed through subtle details, making it difficult to fully capture the immersive experience in a written synopsis. Fans of thought-provoking science fiction should definitely seek out Cypher, an underrated gem within the mind-bending subgenre. The intriguing concept of a disenchanted suburban man immersing himself in the world of corporate espionage, only to discover that his true identity may have been there all along, is a timeless and captivating premise.