Inland Empire

If you want science fiction that respects its own premise, Inland Empire is available in Australia on MUBI and HBO Max, and in the US on HBO Max Amazon Channel and YouTube TV right now. It knows exactly what kind of film it is from the opening scene, and never loses that thread. With 1,271 viewer ratings on TMDB, this is not a title flying under the radar. Laura Dern anchors it with a performance that grounds the bigger ideas in something human. Start it on MUBI whenever you need something guaranteed to land.

Inland Empire is not trying to be everything to everyone, and that focus is exactly what makes it work. The world-building is meticulous, but it is the characters who carry Inland Empire through its more ambitious moments. When actress Nikki Grace gets the lead role in a cursed film, her world becomes more and more surreal, blending realities and ideas of infidelity, reincarnation, and supernatural forces. Laura Dern and Jeremy Irons lead a cast that brings real weight to the material. It was released in 2006. The world-building is meticulous enough to sustain multiple rewatches, with details early on that only make sense later. There is real craft here, even in the moments that do not fully land.

For late-night viewing or a proper weekend binge, Inland Empire fits the bill. If you have run out of similar titles to watch, this is a strong next pick. Best experienced as a single, sustained watch from start to finish. Laura Dern's performance is the anchor the more ambitious moments need. The world-building pays off in ways you will not anticipate on a first watch.