11 Utopian Societies Gone Horribly Wrong

Syfy’s 'Ascension' concerns a space mission -- "a lifeboat for humanity" -- hoping to transport hundreds of Earthlings to a new planet. As idealism descends into madness, we think of these other movies where good intentions go south.

Minority Report (2002)

Imagine a world that is essentially murder-free, all because a trio of mutants can predict the violent act before it happens. Of course, that leaves a lot open to interpretation, as a cop (Tom Cruise) finds out when he's set up for a future homicide.

The Matrix (1999)

Yes, it's pretty lousy to live in a virtual world while machines suck your real body dry. But when you think about it, life in the Matrix must have been pretty laid-back before Keanu Reeves became Neo and messed it all up.

Logan's Run (1976)

A computer is also pulling the strings in this future society, where people die at 30 as a means of population control. Until then, existence is wonderful -- unless, like Logan 5 (Michael York), you decide you want to turn 31.

Pleasantville (1998)

1990s teens Reese Witherspoon and Tobey Maguire are transported into a black and white 1950s TV idyll, but as they enlighten – and colorize – some of the locals with their liberated ways, the other townsfolk become, well, unpleasant.

The Time Machine (1960)

Time traveler H. G. Wells (Rod Taylor) winds up 800,000 years in the future to find that humanity has evolved into two species: the ignorant, beautiful Eloi and the hideous underground Morlocks, who feed them -- then feed on them.

Animal Farm (1954)

This was the first animated adaptation of the classic George Orwell novel. You know the story: barnyard animals rise up against the farmers, only to see their revolutionary ideals degrade into hypocrisy, corruption and betrayal.

The Village (2004)

Like many M. Night Shyamalan movies, this story depends on the twist at the end. But let's just say that, for a mysterious, pre-industrial community in the forest, the monsters that allegedly lurk outside the village are the least of their concerns.

The Mosquito Coast (1986)

In one of his darkest roles, Harrison Ford plays an inventor who takes his family – including Helen Mirren and River Phoenix – to the jungles of Belize, where he builds his own little paradise. When guerrilla fighters horn in, however, Ford loses it.

Dogville (2003)

Things routinely go horribly wrong in Lars Von Trier’s films, and so it goes with his experimental drama, shot on a nearly naked sound stage, in which the good citizens of Dogville turn into petty fascists once vulnerable Nicole Kidman arrives.

Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014)

After the Simian Flu wipes out most of mankind, the intelligent apes of Northern California have a pretty good thing going on -- until some human survivors from San Francisco show up, and a sinister ape starts plotting his own revenge.

Island of Lost Souls (1932)

"Are we not men?" In the best adaptation of H.G. Wells's 'The Island of Dr. Moreau,' a mad scientist (Charles Laughton) rules over an isle filled with his human-animal experiments. But once Moreau breaks his own law, his minions turn against him.