Jon O'Brien
Jon O'Brien is a freelance entertainment writer from North West England who covers movie history for Inverse. He's written about film and television for Esquire, Billboard, Vulture, New Scientist, i-D, The Guardian, and Paste. He's also a soccer enthusiast, garage drummer, Icelandophile, and carrot cake connoisseur.
35 years ago, the most obscure sci-fi movie tried (and failed) to redefine alien cinema
Several movies inspired Men in Black. You definitely haven’t seen this one.
Meet Cute reinvents time travel — and Pete Davidson’s persona
The time travel is thoughtful, and Davidson is tolerable.
25 years ago, David Fincher made his most absurd conspiracy thriller ever
Fincher went on to say he regretted making this movie, but The Game has plenty of redeeming qualities
Review: Margaux proves smart-house thrillers don’t have to be dumb
A Gen Z friend group’s vacation trip goes horribly wrong in this VOD release.
20 years ago, Hollywood’s first internet thriller launched a terrifying new genre
What if something bad happened... online?
20 years ago, Al Pacino's best sci-fi satire predicted a terrifying modern trend
Few films have possessed such an uncanny ability to predict where the fame game is heading.
25 years ago, Guillermo del Toro made an amazing sci-fi monster movie — despite the Weinsteins’ best efforts
Sometimes bugs aren’t the real monsters.
30 years ago, a sci-fi flop beat Marvel to its smartest story idea
Once dismissed as unremarkable, this send-up of ‘90s television now looks disturbingly prescient.
25 years ago, the worst sci-fi TV pilot ever launched a pop culture phenomenon
Revisiting South Park’s first episode, the cutout animation comedy showed little of the genius ahead.
5 years ago, Stephen King's most disappointing sci-fi movie failed to launch a franchise
Dark Tower deserved better — and longer — than this.
20 years ago, M. Night Shyamalan’s best sci-fi thriller delivered his worst twist
All Signs point to yes.
15 years ago, Danny Boyle made the most scientific space thriller ever
The British director hasn’t returned to science fiction since. Maybe that’s for the best.
45 years ago, the worst Exorcist sequel almost killed the franchise forever
The Heretic was conceived as nothing more than a “low-budget rehash” heavily reliant on unused footage from The Exorcist.
15 years ago, Fox made the best Fantastic Four movie ever — it still stunk
The last gasp for pre-MCU superhero movies is better than you remember.
5 years ago, Ryan Reynolds made the best Alien rip-off ever
Smart twists and a surprisingly deep cast bring this thriller to, well, you know.
25 years ago, Bruce Willis made the most divisive sci-fi movie ever
Whether you think it’s one of the best sci-fi movies ever or one of the worst, you’re never going to forget it.
20 years ago, the Friday the 13th franchise succumbed to a pervasive sci-fi cliché
When there’s nowhere left for a franchise to go, it goes to space.
15 years ago, Tarantino released his worst movie — with the most incredible stunts
Tarantino’s worst is still better than most.
Moonshot HBO Max review: Cole Sprouse’s trip to Mars never takes off
The new sci-fi romantic comedy stars Lana Condor and Cole Sprouse.
20 years ago, Aaliyah made a cult classic that almost ruined vampire movies forever
Vastly inferior to Interview with the Vampire before it, this clunky sequel isn't without its strange charms
