Rebel Moon does not belong to SF, but to another genre popularized by Star Wars

News culture Rebel Moon does not belong to SF, but to another genre popularized by Star Wars

Rebel Moon is Zack Snyder’s new project. Two feature films are currently planned. The first, Rebel Moon: A child of firewill be released on December 22nd, while the second part, Rebel Moon: The Scargierwill arrive a little later, on April 19, 2024. Both films are often referred to as science fiction films by the media, but that’s not exactly the most accurate term.

In fact, “Rebel Moon” fits more into the science fantasy genre, a little-known subgenre that has nevertheless been well represented in recent years.

Take a Netflix subscription card for Micromania

But what is science fantasy?

As the name suggests, Science Fantasy draws its codes from both science fiction and fantasy. Like many science fiction films, “Rebel Moon” features a multi-planetary setting and spaceships, all within a futuristic time frame. But that’s not all, as we can see in the trailer, “Rebel Moon” also has applications close to magic, but also an important religious setting and events related to the miraculous. All these are elements borrowed from fantasy. Conversely, in science fantasy we also find futuristic technology in a medieval setting.

Mythical creatures in Rebel Moon

“Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.”

Magic is a pretty broad and ambiguous term, especially in science fantasy. Several elements can be assimilated with magic, transforming the work into this subgenre. SF author Arthur C. Clarke would say the following: “Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.”

So if a highly advanced technology is unclear and has nothing to do with current knowledge, it can be identified as magic. It is this notion that leads to several other franchises being considered science fantasy.

Star Wars, Dune… from science fantasy?

Magical powers in Star Wars

Star Wars is the best example of what science fantasy is. The Star Wars universe is ruled by the Force, a mystical force often associated with faith and pseudo-religion. In addition, most elements are determined by politics, history and other cultural elements. There is very little room for science, as if technology is magic.

Even the fights are inspired by fantasy and involve sword fights. In addition to religion, mythology also plays a major role on the Dune page. The hero even has supernatural powers of foresight, such as magical powers.