Metropolis (1927)

Metropolis (1927) is a landmark silent sci‑fi drama that mixes sweeping spectacle with a fierce social parable. Set in a vast, ultramodern city sharply divided between the privileged planners above and the exploited workers below, the film follows Freder, son of the city’s master, who falls for Maria — a compassionate leader among the workers who preaches that “the heart” must mediate between the “head” and the “hands.” As Freder tries to bridge the gulf, his father, the city’s ruler, and a jealous inventor unleash a dangerous plan that substitutes a mechanical double for Maria and threatens to spark a catastrophic revolt. Watching Metropolis you’ll experience grand, expressionist visuals — towering architecture, dramatic lighting, gigantic machines and early special effects that still feel astonishing — paired with heightened silent‑era performances and title cards that carry the film’s moral and mythic language. The story moves between intimate human emotion (love, guilt, redemption) and epic set pieces of social conflict, creating both a moving character arc for Freder and an operatic critique of industrial modernity. Expect a film that is at once beautiful and unsettling: a mixture of spectacle, melodrama, allegory and political urgency. Its influence on science fiction cinema and visual design is enormous, and while some moments are theatrical by modern standards, the emotional payoff and the iconic imagery — including the robot Maria and the film’s dramatic finale — make Metropolis a powerful, unforgettable viewing experience.

Actors: Brigitte Helm, Alfred Abel, Gustav Fröhlich

Director: Fritz Lang

Runtime: 153 min

Genres: Drama, Sci-Fi

8.2 /10 98 /100 8.3 /10 8.8 /10