“The Creator” arrived in fall 2023 with a hefty budget but failed to make much of a dent at the box office, which is seriously unfortunate because this underappreciated sci-fi action movie deserved far more attention. In a landscape crowded with sequel-driven franchises, it stood out as a genuinely original project that pulls you in almost immediately. "The Creator" also ranks among the most visually impressive sci-fi flicks in recent memory and comes from Gareth Edwards, the filmmaker behind “Rogue One.”
But with its arrival on Prime Video, one of the biggest streaming services, I’m hoping it will get the attention it deserves. It’s an ambitious, affecting, and gorgeously crafted movie, anchored by characters who genuinely matter. It never feels diluted by a cookie-cutter blockbuster approach either, and that sense of a real, breathing world is one of the movie’s biggest strengths for me.
If you need something thrilling (and surprisingly emotional) to watch during the holiday break, here’s why “The Creator” deserves to be on your Prime Video watchlist.
What is ‘The Creator’ about?
“The Creator” is set in 2070, years after an artificial intelligence detonated a nuclear weapon over Los Angeles, triggering a global war between humans and AI. Former U.S. Army sergeant Joshua Taylor (John David Washington), now living undercover in New Asia with his pregnant wife Maya (Gemma Chan), is drawn back into conflict when his covert status is exposed and Maya is presumed dead after a military strike.
Years later, Joshua is recruited by U.S. forces to locate and destroy a powerful weapon believed to be developed by the elusive architect of advanced AI. Crossing enemy territory with a team of operatives, he discovers the “weapon” is actually a highly advanced AI child named Alphie (Madeleine Yuna Voyles). He soon finds himself fighting to protect Alphie and confronts the colossal orbital war station.
‘The Creator’ needs to be on your Prime Video watchlist
As with many movies, I usually only watch them once because my watchlist keeps growing (never shrinking), so I rarely get the chance to revisit a movie unless it’s part of a favorite franchise or I’m really desperate. “The Creator” was a rare exception since its striking visuals, beautiful cinematic journey, and charming characters left such a lasting impression that I had to experience that beauty again.
It’s rare to see a big-budget, original sci-fi blockbuster that isn’t tied to an existing franchise, featuring well-known actors and an auteur director given free rein. In fact, “The Creator” openly wears its influences: Edwards nods to “Apocalypse Now,” “Blade Runner,” and “Akira” through its corporate cyber-fusion visuals, as well as in certain story beats and conceptual ideas. Yet, despite these clear inspirations, the movie weaves them into something entirely its own, resulting in a distinctive style and atmosphere that truly sets it apart.
While the core story (a man and a child on the run) is relatively straightforward, the movie layers in plenty of exposition that builds out its world. In many ways, it feels like reading a novel, yet this depth never overshadows the personal journey of Joshua and Alphie. It’s these two characters who make you genuinely care about what’s happening on screen and how their story will conclude.
Although “The Creator” has a few predictable plot points near the end, they don’t undermine the movie’s impressive accomplishments. The middle section moves at a slower pace that might test your patience, but the payoff, particularly the emotional journey, is well worth it. You don’t need to take my word for it either, since the critics' consensus on Rotten Tomatoes reads: “Visually stunning and packed with spectacular set pieces, The Creator serves up timely, well-acted sci-fi that satisfies in the moment even if it lacks substance.”
“The Creator” stands out as one of the most compelling and visually impressive movies of the past five years, and it could serve as a model for how Hollywood might manage budgets while giving space for original storytelling.
Stream "The Creator" on Prime Video now.
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