Have you ever been asked your favourite film genre and been stumped? There are just too many to choose from: comedy, drama, noir, thriller – the list goes on. Most people are shocked when I reveal that post-apocalyptic is my favourite form of storytelling. Give me a dystopian-future zombie film any day; I’ve seen ’em all! So, I was instantly hooked when the new Amazon sci-fi mystery thriller The Peripheral was released. Though leaning more towards sci-fi than “end of the world” (and definitely less gruesome than a zombie film), this series is an absorbing tale set in the near future that explores the risks of technological advancement beyond our control.
The Peripheral is loosely based on the 2014 book of the same name written by William Gibson, and produced by the team from Westworld. The eight-part series stars Chloë Grace Moretz as Flynne Fisher, a young woman struggling to pay her mother’s medical bills while working in a 3D print shop. Set in 2032, her world is recognizably similar to ours, with noted technological advancements that differentiate the future reality from our current one. Flynne has a knack for virtual reality gaming and steps in for her brother Burton, a commercial VR gamer. She is a far superior player and can level up in the games without difficulty, so when an opportunity arises for Burton and Flynne to test out an advanced SIM headset and make some cash, she signs up. Flynne is thrust into the James Bond-like world of futuristic London where she is sent on a mission that becomes a bit too real, because, as it turns out, it is.
When wearing the VR headset Flynne is sent into 2099, a future where the simulation becomes an apocalyptic reality. Flipping between her current world and the post-apocalyptic future, Flynne faces dangers she didn’t realize were possible.
The plot is complex and difficult to relay completely; with time jumps and simulated realities it’s more of a watch-and-see-for-yourself kind of series. Though only eight episodes in total, the show packs a punch while still managing to move slowly enough that the viewer is not completely overwhelmed. If you are a fan of The Matrix (or any futuristic science fiction show, really) this one’s for you.
Only time will tell whether Amazon greenlights a second season of The Peripheral, but its future is probable given the cliffhanger ending and positive fan reviews. In the meantime, check out my list of recommended futuristic entertainment below.
1. Sweet Tooth, Netflix
2. Snowpiercer, Netflix
3. The Road, Netflix
4. A Quiet Place, Netflix
5. Pacific Rim, Apple TV
