Top 5 Sole Survivor Movies to watch if you like The Martian

Hollywood has been making innumerable Sole Survivor films for years now. Some films have made a huge impact and some just fade from our memory. Some films had very limited actors but still managed to make a mark. One such film is definitely The Martian. This 2015 film, starring Matt Damon dealt with a space traveller who had to survive adversities while stranded alone on Mars. Damon's powerful performance as the protagonist has been widely appreciated. Ridley Scott's direction is detailed and most of the scenes, starting from the the magnanimous surroundings of the space station to the very grounded and basic approach to vegetation and farming have been filmed with much care and finesse. No wonder The Martian has made its honourable place in the top Sci-Fi Films of all time. I was wondering if I have watched any other Sole Survivor films of this stature and I have found a few. So, here is the list:

Top 5 Sole Survivor Movies to watch if you like The Martian

1. Gravity: Sandra Bullock is one of the most dynamic actors of our time. Often known as one of America's original sweethearts, the actor is known for the vibrant and jovial characters that she has played mostly. However, this 2013 movie saw her in a completely different light and it stands out as one of the most compelling Sci-Fi films about space and Sole Survival. The scenes where the protagonist Ryan Stone (Bullock) loses her Captain and only companion in space, and where she talks to herself to remain sane in the deadly solitude through the days, are absolutely marvellous. The child-like emotions of despair and hopelessness of Stone's character, when she knows she is the only living one and the instant turnaround of her desperation as a lone survivor who is determined to live and get out of the state, has been portrayed with such conviction by Bullock. This is a must-watch film for those who have liked The Martian, as it deals with the same subject as the "Sole Survivor" in space.

2. I Am Legend: The film is set on a post-apocalyptic earth where a deadly virus has zombified the entire USA, with only one survivor, Dr. Robert Neville and his dog. This 2007 film, directed by Francis Lawrence has Will Smith playing the character of Dr. Neville. The director has skillfully shown Neville's daily routine as a lone survivor whose only task is to find food for him and his pet companion and to go out in search of any other survivor during the day, while at night it is all about protecting himself from the dangerous zombies. The movie is engaging and Smith is outstanding, especially in the scenes where he has to kill his pet dog before it turns into a Zombie and the last scene where he knows his end is approaching but he has hope for humanity's survival. Although not a space story like The Martian, it also has a Sole Survivor as the main lead. I Am Legend is one of the best Zombie films of all time too.

3. Cast Away: Tom Hanks is one of the finest actors of all time, and is known for his powerful portrayal of some hugely popular characters throughout his vivid career and one of them is definitely Chuck Noland from the 2000 film Cast Away. A sole survivor of an air crash is stranded on a deserted island. The film by Robert Zemeckis is a riveting story of the extreme emotional and physical transformation of Noland in the aftermath of the crash. Hanks as Noland is excellent with his hopelessness, aggravated anger and fear of the unknown future. This is one of the best Sole Survivor films to watch if you have liked The Martian. 

4. 127 Hours: Danny Boyle's films always tell some unique stories of survival, in different ways. This 2010 film starring James Franco is one of a kind. Based on true events, a mountain climber gets trapped in a Canyon and remains there all alone for 127 hours, before being rescued. Franco convincingly plays Aron Ralston whose entrapment under the boulder will make the viewers shiver throughout the runtime. Franco's Aron is believable and spontaneous. The projection of the film has a natural continuity to it where the viewers are drawn automatically to the happenings, without the need for any extra jumps, bumps and scare tactics. If Sole Survivor films like The Martian is your choice, you might enjoy this one too.

5. Into the Wild: This 2007 film is another biographical movie on the life of Chris McCandless. An extremely talented youth finishes his glorious student life but to everyone's surprise, instead of pursuing a lucrative career, opts to travel through Alaska, all alone. The film is about his adventures and misadventures. Sean Penn as a director has given us some noteworthy movies and this remains top on the charts. I have not watched much of Emile Hirsch's work, but his performance in this film makes the character one of the most loved and cherished individuals of all time in cinematic history. A young man's quest for the simplicities of life, his love for nature and travel and his bonding with other people is shown with so much integrity and depth. The final moments are quite touchy, yet you don't feel bad as a viewer because you have seen how that young man has lived his life to the fullest throughout his short span on earth. This film is an absolute gem and a majestic cinematic experience for those who are into Sole Survivor films like The Martian. ( The film takes us back to the famous line from Anand, " Babumosai, Zindagi Badi Honi Chahiye Lambi Nahi )

Other notable Sole Survivor films include Wild, The Revenant, Buried and Grey to name a few. If you have happened to watch any other Sole Survivor films like The Martian, please let me know in the comments section. 

This post was created for the Blogaberry Creative (Monthly) Challenge.