Jumping from original sci-fi to Star Wars is quite a leap, especially when the former was one of the best original sci-fi films in decades, while the latter “killed Star Wars” (according to some fans). But, before Rian Johnson directed one of the most divisive Star Wars movies (which feels like less of a feat in 2025 than it did back in 2017), Johnson directed a phenomenal original sci-fi action blockbuster. 13 years after it was released in theaters, Looper is time-jumping up the streaming charts.
Rian Johnson’s Looper is currently streaming on Starz, and the original concept sci-fi movie is a streaming hit. Looper is the ninth most popular movie on Starz at the time of writing. Rian Johnson might currently have the long-held ire of sci-fi fans, thanks to the fandom dividing Star Wars: The Last Jedi, but back in 2013, he gave sci-fi fans something to revel in. Looper featured a star-studded cast, led by Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Bruce Willis, and also starring Emily Blunt, Paul Dano, and Jeff Daniels. Years before he became the modern king of the murder mystery, Johnson wrote and directed Looper, which is regarded as one of the best original sci-fi movies of the 2010s.
The story blends the crime genre with soft sci-fi. Gordon-Levitt stars as Joe, a hitman from the past who disposes of bodies from the future. But when Joe has to ‘close his loop,’ by killing his future self (played by Bruce Willis) to eliminate all evidence, his trigger finger hesitates, and his future self escapes into his present timeline. The official synopsis reads:
“In a future society, time-travel exists, but it’s only available to those with the means to pay for it on the black market. When the mob wants to eliminate someone, it sends the target into the past, where a hit man known as a looper lies in wait to finish the job. Joe (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) is one such hired gun, and he does his job well — until the day his bosses decide to ‘close the loop’ and send Joe’s future self (Bruce Willis) back in time to be killed.”
‘Looper’ Is a Fan Favorite Sci-Fi Film, 13 Years Later
Looper was a major success when it was released back in 2012. The film grossed over $175 million on a budget of just $30 million, making it a strong financial hit. The reviews were even more impressive. Looper holds a 93% rating on Rotten Tomatoes from over 270 reviews.
Audiences also love Looper, as it boasts a strong 82% user score on RT. “Easily one of the best sci-fi movies in years,” wrote one user on RT. “A thrilling, intelligent, and emotionally layered sci-fi film that excels in both concept and execution,” read another. While it’s a shame that many sci-fi fans remember Rian Johnson better for “ruining Star Wars“ with The Last Jedi (at least, before The Rise of Skywalker ruined Star Wars, and The Book of Boba Fett ruined Star Wars, and Obi-Wan Kenobi ruined Star Wars, and Ahsoka ruined Star Wars… you get the picture) because Looper is a sci-fi movie worth remembering.
- Release Date
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September 28, 2012
- Runtime
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118 minutes
