Starship Troopers (1997) & Alita: Battle Angel (2019): War and Propaganda | EP16

In this episode of Journey Through Sci-Fi, we explore two very different dystopian futures that reveal how power structures shape society.

Joining us for this discussion is Becky Darke, as we look at a pair of films that examine authoritarian systems and the people living inside them.

Because here on Journey Through Sci-Fi, we explore the history of science-fiction cinema one subgenre at a time.

LISTEN BELOW:

What We Discuss In This Episode

In this episode we talk about:

• Militarism and propaganda in dystopian societies

• Class divides and hierarchical futures

• Cyberpunk aesthetics and technological inequality

• How dystopian films critique political systems

• Why these films remain influential in modern sci-fi

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Starship Troopers (1997) – War and Propaganda

Directed by Paul Verhoeven, Starship Troopers presents a future where Earth is governed by the United Citizen Federation, a militaristic regime where citizenship and political rights are earned through military service.

The story follows Johnny Rico, a young recruit who joins the Mobile Infantry and is quickly drawn into an interstellar war against an alien species known as the Arachnids.

Although the film initially appears to be a straightforward sci-fi war story, Verhoeven intentionally constructed it as a satire of fascism and militarism, using propaganda-style media segments and exaggerated patriotism to critique authoritarian politics.

Through its depiction of media manipulation, militarised society and endless war, Starship Troopers raises questions about how easily populations can be persuaded to support violent systems of power.

Alita: Battle Angel (2019) – A Cyberpunk Class Divide

While Starship Troopers explores authoritarian militarism, Alita: Battle Angel presents a dystopian future defined by class inequality and technological transformation.

Set in the year 2563, centuries after a devastating war, the story takes place in Iron City, a scrapyard metropolis lying beneath the floating sky city of Zalem, where the wealthy elite live.

The story begins when cyber-doctor Dyson Ido discovers the remains of a cyborg girl in the scrapyard and rebuilds her. With no memory of her past, the newly revived Alita begins exploring the dangerous world of Iron City while uncovering clues about her forgotten identity.

As Alita learns about the stark divide between the privileged inhabitants of Zalem and the struggling population below, she becomes increasingly drawn into conflicts that reveal the political and social structures governing this cyberpunk world.

Power Structures in Dystopian Futures

Although these films present very different worlds, both explore the influence of power structures on society.

In Starship Troopers, power is concentrated in a militarised state where war and propaganda shape the population’s worldview.

In Alita: Battle Angel, power lies in an extreme class hierarchy, with the wealthy elite living in a floating city while the rest of humanity struggles below.

Both stories highlight how dystopian science fiction often examines the ways political and economic systems shape everyday life.

Continuing Our Journey Through Dystopia

This episode forms part of our Journey Through Dystopia series.

Across the series we explore how science-fiction cinema imagines societies shaped by authoritarian control, environmental collapse and technological change.

From classic dystopian films to modern cyberpunk epics, these stories reveal how science fiction reflects humanity’s fears about the future.

Start Your Journey Through Sci-Fi

Journey Through Sci-Fi is a podcast exploring the strange, visionary and world-changing history of science-fiction cinema.

Each series focuses on a different sci-fi theme — from space exploration and artificial intelligence to time travel, virtual reality, cyberpunk and dystopian futures.

Join us as we explore the films and ideas that shaped science fiction.