Denis Villeneuve's films, like Arrival, Dune, and Blade Runner 2049, are known for their smart sci-fi stories that prioritize strong scripts over special effects. Movies like Arrival and these other sci-fi films tackle big ideas and provoke viewers to think about the deeper meaning behind the fantastical situations presented on screen. Each of these films, including Arrival, offers a unique take on the sci-fi genre, whether it's through exploring communication with extraterrestrial life, time travel, dystopian societies, or the implications of advanced artificial intelligence.

Denis Villeneuve made his name in the science fiction genre, thanks to making several movies like Arrival. This gorgeous tale of communication, forgiveness, and understanding came through the guise of a first-contact drama. The movie stars Amy Adams as a linguist whose daughter died from an incurable illness when she was 12 years old. However, when 12 extraterrestrial spacecraft begin to hover over the Earth, she is...