Films about destiny explore themes of predetermined fate, the journey of self-discovery, and the inevitable intersections of paths between people. They often challenge the concept of free will vs. fate and make audiences ponder their own life choices and journeys. These films might unfold with characters encountering seemingly coincidental events, facing prophecy, or trying to change their pre-written stories.
“Slumdog Millionaire”, 2008
Director: Danny Boyle, Loveleen Tandan
This film tells the story of Jamal Malik, an 18-year-old orphan from the slums of Mumbai, who is one question away from winning India’s “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?” The plot unfolds through a series of flashbacks showing how events in his life have inexplicably equipped him to know each answer.
Starring: Dev Patel, Freida Pinto, Anil Kapoor, Saurabh Shukla, Mahesh Manjrekar, Irfan Khan, Madhur Mittal, Raj Zutshi, Jeneva Talwar, Azharuddin Mohammed Ismail;
Production year: 2008;
Genre: crime, drama, melodrama;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 120 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 8;
More information about the film “Slumdog Millionaire” on the website imdb.com
“The Adjustment Bureau”, 2011
Director: George Nolfi
In this sci-fi romance, a man discovers that a mysterious team of “adjusters” manipulate life paths and he must either accept a predetermined life plan or fight for a life with the woman he loves, defying the agents of fate.
Starring: Matt Damon, Emily Blunt, Anthony Mackie, John Slattery, Terence Stamp, Michael Kelly, Anthony Ruivivar, David Bishins, Johnny Cicco, Brian Haley;
Production year: 2011;
Genre: science fiction, thriller, melodrama;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 105 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7;
More information about the film “The Adjustment Bureau” on the website imdb.com
“Forrest Gump”, 1994
Director: Robert Zemeckis
This film follows the extraordinary life of Forrest Gump, a man with low IQ who inadvertently influences several historical events and figures throughout his life, suggesting a destiny that intersects with major cultural moments.
Starring: Tom Hanks, Robin Wright, Sally Field, Gary Sinise, Mykelti Williamson, Michael Conner Humphreys, Hanna R. Hall, Sam Anderson, Siobhan Fallon Hogan, Rebecca Williams;
Production year: 1994;
Genre: drama, comedy, melodrama, history, war;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 142 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 8,8;
More information about the film “Forrest Gump” on the website imdb.com
“Serendipity”, 2001
Director: Peter Chelsom
This romantic comedy revolves around two strangers who meet, part ways, and then try to find each other again if they are meant to be together, entrusting their potential future to fate.
Starring: John Cusack, Kate Beckinsale, Jeremy Piven, Bridget Moynahan, John Corbett, Eugene Levy, Kate Blumberg, Lilli Lavine, Michael Guarino Jr., Abdul Alshawish;
Production year: 2001;
Genre: melodrama, comedy;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 87 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,8;
More information about the film “Serendipity” on the website imdb.com
“Final Destination”, 2000
Director: James Wong
This film franchise focuses on individuals who manage to escape death in catastrophic events due to premonitions, only to find that death continues to haunt them in increasingly bizarre and complex ways as it tries to set the balance right.
Starring: Devon Sawa, Ali Larter, Kerr Smith, Kristen Cloke, Daniel Roebuck, Roger Guenveur Smith, Chad Donella, Seann William Scott, Tony Todd, Amanda Detmer;
Production year: 2000;
Genre: horror, science fiction, thriller, detective;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 98 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,7;
More information about the film “Final Destination” on the website imdb.com
“Predestination”, 2013
Director: Michael Spierig, Peter Spierig
A complex narrative that follows a time-traveling agent on his final assignment to stop a criminal who has eluded him throughout time, which leads to unforeseen, grave consequences and revelations about his own life.
Starring: Ethan Hawke, Sarah Snook, Noah Taylor, Christopher Kirby, Christopher Sommers, Kuni Hashimoto, Sara El-Yafi, Paul Moder, Grant Piro, Christopher Bunworth;
Production year: 2013;
Genre: science fiction, action, drama, detective;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 98 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,4;
These films showcase a variety of ways in which the theme of destiny can be explored, whether through romance, drama, or thrilling action. Each narrative provides a unique perspective on how destiny might be shaping our lives more than we perceive.
In conclusion, films about destiny explore the intricate dance between fate and free will, captivating audiences with stories that question the extent of control we have over our own lives. These movies, from the heart-wrenching decisions in “Sliding Doors” to the supernatural elements of “The Adjustment Bureau,” encapsulate the human experience of grappling with destiny. Whether through thought-provoking narratives or thrilling action sequences, these films leave viewers pondering their own life paths, the choices they make, and the forces that might be guiding them—offering both entertainment and a deep, reflective experience.
