Collections Search | BFI | British Film Institute

Blade Runner 2049 (Original title)
Date: 2017 (Copyright)

Country: USA

Director: Denis Villeneuve

Synopsis: In Los Angeles in 2049, ‘K’, a bioengineered replicant works as a blade runner for the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) hunting down and retiring rogue older model replicants. When he finds the remains of a female replicant, he makes a startling discovery which could potentially have devastating effects for the whole of society. When he is ordered to destroy all evidence related to the case by his superior Lieutenant Joshi, ‘K’ decides to pursue his own investigation into the case and goes on a search to find Rick Deckard, a former LAPD blade runner who has been missing for 30 years.

Genres:
Science Fiction, Thriller

Subjects:
Dystopias, Automata, Pregnancy, Los Angeles Police Department, Criminal investigations
Releases
Date: 05 October 2017Country: United KingdomRelease type: TheatricalFormat: not specified - Colour - Sound - Dolby AtmosAspect ratio: 2.35:1Runtime: 163 mins 14 secs - Dialogue (original): EnglishDistributor: Sony Pictures Releasing UK
Date: 05 October 2017Country: United KingdomRelease type: TheatricalFormat: not specified - Colour - Sound - Dolby AtmosAspect ratio: 2.35:1Runtime: 163 mins 14 secs - Dialogue (original): EnglishDistributor: Sony Pictures Releasing UK
Date: 05 October 2017Country: United KingdomRelease type: TheatricalFormat: not specified - Colour - Sound - Dolby AtmosRuntime: 163 mins 14 secs - Dialogue (original): EnglishDistributor: Sony Pictures Releasing UK
Date: 06 October 2017Country: USARelease type: TheatricalFormat: not specified - Colour - Sound - Dolby AtmosAspect ratio: 2.35:1Runtime: 164 mins Dialogue (original): English
Date: 06 October 2017Country: USARelease type: TheatricalFormat: not specified - Colour - Sound - Dolby AtmosAspect ratio: 2.35:1Runtime: 164 mins Dialogue (original): English

Articles held in BFI Reuben Library (13)
In: Science fiction film and television v16 n3 Autumn 2023  Pages: 277-299
Title: Generativity without reserve: sterility apocalypses and the enclosure of life-itselfAuthor: Sheldon, RebekahArticle type: ArticleLanguage: English
Description: Discusses the depiction of failures of reproduction in science fiction film and television texts in relation to the emergence of biopolitics and racial biocapitalism. Explores the trope of the miraculous birth of a child in a context of accidental or enforced sterility, with particular reference to the television series 'Orphan Black' (2013-17) and two films: 'Children of Men' (2006) and 'Blade Runner 2049' (2017).

In: Science fiction film and television v13 n1 Spring 2020  Pages: 1-14
Title: Legacies of Blade RunnerAuthor: Hamblin, SarahArticle type: ArticleLanguage: English
Description: Introduction to a special issue on the legacy of Ridley Scott's science fiction film 'Blade Runner' (1982), including Denis Villeneuve's sequel 'Blade Runner 2049' (2017). Considers the films in relation to the aesthetics and politics of cyberpunk, and comments on the ideological and economic factors driving contemporary franchise production.

In: Science fiction film and television v13 n1 Spring 2020  Pages: 15-35
Title: Vitality and reproduction in Blade Runner 2049Author: Vint, SherrylArticle type: ArticleLanguage: English
Description: Part of a special issue on the legacy of 'Blade Runner' (1982).

In: Science fiction film and television v13 n1 Spring 2020  Pages: 37-58
Title: Blade Runner 2049’s incongruous couplings: living and dying in the AnthropoceneAuthor: Hamblin, SarahArticle type: ArticleLanguage: English
Description: Part of a special issue on the legacy of 'Blade Runner' (1982).

In: Science fiction film and television v13 n1 Spring 2020  Pages: 59-76
Title: Race in the Blade Runner cycle and demographic dystopiaAuthor: Chan, Edward K.Article type: ArticleLanguage: English
Description: Part of a special issue on the legacy of 'Blade Runner' (1982).

In: Science fiction film and television v13 n1 Spring 2020  Pages: 77-96
Title: Blade Runner 2049 and the ‘quality’ Hollywood filmAuthor: KING, GeoffArticle type: ArticleLanguage: English
Description: Part of a special issue on the legacy of 'Blade Runner' (1982).

In: Science fiction film and television v13 n1 Spring 2020  Pages: 97-106
Title: Cyberpunk’s masculinist legacy: puppetry, labour and ménage à trois in Blade Runner 2049Author: Murphy, Graham J.Article type: ArticleLanguage: English
Description: Argues that the 'Blade Runner' universe exhibits a 'conservative retrofuturism' typical of the cyberpunk movement. Analyses the sexual politics of 'Blade Runner 2049' (2017), suggesting that the film's female characters are largely relegated to the role of 'puppets' constrained by the mechanisms of corporate capitalism. Included in 'A symposium on the legacies of Blade Runner', part of a special issue on 'Blade Runner' (1982) and its sequel 'Blade Runner 2049' (2017).

In: Science fiction film and television v13 n1 Spring 2020  Pages: 107-112
Title: ‘Cells. Interlinked’: Sympathy and obligation in Blade Runner 2049 Author: Omry, KerenArticle type: ArticleLanguage: English
Description: Explores the ways in which 'Blade Runner 2049' (2017) interrogates the question of what makes us human. Suggests a move away from binary categories of human/non-human identity towards an emphasis on modes of obligation based on sympathy and humane-ness. Included in 'A symposium on the legacies of Blade Runner', part of a special issue on 'Blade Runner' (1982) and its sequel 'Blade Runner 2049' (2017).

In: Science fiction film and television v13 n1 Spring 2020  Pages: 113-118
Title: ‘I’ve heard things you people wouldn’t imagine’: Blade Runner’s aural livesAuthor: Frelik, PawełArticle type: ArticleLanguage: English
Description: Considers the sonic landscape of 'Blade Runner' (1982), including Vangelis's soundtrack for the film. Discusses in particular the later extensive sampling of elements from the film and the creation by fans of alternative soundtracks, as well as commenting on the score for 'Blade Runner 2049' (2017). Included in 'A symposium on the legacies of Blade Runner', part of a special issue on 'Blade Runner' (1982) and its sequel 'Blade Runner 2049' (2017).

In: Science fiction film and television v13 n1 Spring 2020  Pages: 119-127
Title: The director’s cut: Denis Villeneuve before Blade Runner 2049Author: RANSOM, Amy J. Article type: ArticleLanguage: English
Description: Explores the pre-Hollywood career of Denis Villeneuve, the director of 'Blade Runner 2049' (2017). Included in 'A symposium on the legacies of Blade Runner', part of a special issue on 'Blade Runner' (1982) and its sequel 'Blade Runner 2049' (2017).

In: Science fiction film and television v13 n1 Spring 2020  Pages: 135-142
Title: We, the people of Blade Runner 2049Author: Wegner, Phillip E.Article type: ArticleLanguage: English
Description: Discusses allegorical readings of 'Blade Runner' (1982) and 'Blade Runner 2049' (2017), suggesting that in the latter the figure of the replicant can be read as representing not only the modern industrial labourer but also the immigrant in Donald Trump's America. Relates the world of Blade Runner to the current neoliberal global order, and comments on parallels between the endings of the two films. Included in 'A symposium on the legacies of Blade Runner', part of a special issue on 'Blade Runner' (1982) and its sequel 'Blade Runner 2049' (2017).

In: Science fiction film and television v13 n1 Spring 2020  Pages: 143-148
Title: Dystopia fatigue doesn’t cut it, or, Blade Runner 2049’s utopian longingsAuthor: Guynes, SeanArticle type: ArticleLanguage: English
Description: Challenges the prevailing view of 'Blade Runner 2049' (2017) as an expression of neoliberal dystopianism. Argues that the film includes narratives of utopian possibility, and privileges collective action over the 'cult of the hero'. Included in 'A symposium on the legacies of Blade Runner', part of a special issue on 'Blade Runner' (1982) and its sequel 'Blade Runner 2049' (2017).

In: Science fiction film and television v11 n3 Autumn 2018  Pages: 513-517
Title: DVD reviewAuthor: Paiella, GiorginaArticle type: ReviewLanguage: English
Description: Of 'Blade Runner 2049' (2017).


Books held in BFI Reuben Library (3)
Title: Feminist posthumanism in contemporary science fiction film and media: from Annihilation to High Life and beyond
Author: Empey, Julia A.  Pages: x, 310 pages

Title: Blade Runner 2049: a philosophical exploration
Author: Shanahan, Timothy  Pages: xx, 252 pages

Title: art and soul of Blade Runner 2049
Author: Lapointe, Tanya  Pages: 217 pages