Only a handful of directors can say that they produced thought-provoking cinema. The kind of films that hit you like a ton of bricks and change your life forever. Our keen reader Lea Walker lists the three films that impacted her the most. And the good news is that they are all available for streaming in various platforms such as Amazon Prime, Skye Cinema and Netflix.

Here are three most notable and subversive movies from the last 20 years, according to Lea:

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1. Black Mirror: Bandersnatch (David Slade, 2018):

Bandersnatch is an interactive film written by one of the creators of Black Mirror, a dystopian science fiction series that’s been praised on several occasions for its portrayal of what life might look like for society in the future. While not the first choose-your-own-adventure movie to be released, Bandersnatch is interactive in an elevated, more immersive way, with viewers making the decisions for main character Stefan Butler.

Bandersnatch begs the question of whether most movies will be interactive in years to come. It shows us new possibilities or where we’re heading as a society often have a long-lasting impact on our culture. Such movies often develop a cult following, such as Escape from New York (John Carpenter, 1981). They tend to have an especially enthusiastic following, with cosplay and film conferences being big parts of the fan culture.

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2. V for Vendetta (James McTeigue, 2005):

V for Vendetta (pictured at the top of this article) is a dystopian political action film set in an alternative future in the United Kingdom. Many believe the movie to be an allegory of oppression by the government. Like Escape from New York and Bandersnatch, V for Vendetta, which stars Natalie Portman, has become also become a cult favorite. In fact, many use the Guy Fawkes mask that’s present throughout the film to protest against tyranny.

There’s no guarantee movies will become cult favorites. They can be immortalised in other ways, such as becoming games like branded video slots. We saw this happen with movies like The Creature from the Black Lagoon (Jack Arnold, 1964). Playing modern video slots lets fans experience the storyline, while getting to capitalise on features like bonus rounds and free spins. Other “immortal” types of entertainment include themed pinball machines, remakes, and spin-off TV shows. Put simply, if a movie is worth its salt, fans will find a way to bring it into pop culture.

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3. External Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (Michel Gondry, 2004):

External Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is widelt considered one of the best movies of the early 21st century, and it has since acquired a significant cult following. The movie won the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay and grossed more than $74 million worldwide. It uses elements of science fiction psychological thrillers to explore mind-bending subjects. Viewers are forced to think about new and potential possibilities.

Thought-provoking cinema can be appreciated in several ways, whether it’s attending a conference or playing video slots, or making your own adventure. The fanbase will find innovate new ways to enjoy and pay tribute to them.