[Movie Discussion] Blade Runner 2049, directed by Denis Villeneuve

What does it mean to be human in a world where memory can be manufactured and identity can be programmed?

Join us for a thought-provoking discussion of Blade Runner 2049, the visually stunning and philosophically rich sequel directed by Denis Villeneuve. Slow, meditative, and layered with existential questions, this film invites us to reflect on consciousness, freedom, love, and the fragile stories we tell ourselves about who we are.

Set decades after the events of Blade Runner, the film follows Officer K, a replicant “blade runner” who uncovers a secret that could destabilize the uneasy balance between humans and artificial beings. As K’s investigation unfolds, so does a deeper inquiry into memory, authenticity, and the possibility of a soul.

We may briefly touch on its roots in Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick, as well as connections to the original film - but our main focus will be Blade Runner 2049 itself: its themes, cinematography, characters, and emotional impact.

Possible discussion angles:
Is memory the foundation of identity?
Does the film treat replicants as morally superior, equal, or simply different from humans?
What role does loneliness play in the story?
Is K’s journey tragic, heroic, or something else?
How does the film’s slow pacing shape its philosophical depth?

Whether you loved its atmosphere, wrestled with its ambiguity, or are still trying to decide what it all meant, this session promises a rich and layered conversation.
Bring your interpretations - and perhaps your doubts!