Some sci-fi movies get remembered for their story, some for a single image, and some because they swing so hard that people can’t quite stop arguing about them. The Creator definitely falls into that third category. Gareth Edwards’ 2023 film was always an unusually bold studio gamble, built around original worldbuilding and a scale that looked far more expensive than it actually was.

It didn’t become the culture-owning blockbuster some hoped for, but it clearly left an impression. Now it’s back in the mix thanks to a fresh streaming surge on HBO Max.