In 2077 Jack Harper repairs drones on an empty Earth after a war with aliens, and dreams about a woman he has never met. When she crashes back to Earth, he learns his world is not what he was told. Watch for how the film builds its futuristic tower with light instead of green screen.
Oblivion is a 2013 science fiction, action and adventure film directed by Joseph Kosinski. This breakdown covers 4 techniques (1 cinematography, 1 sound, 1 narrative and 1 psychology), each with the scene where you can see it. If you like how it is made, The Odyssey uses several of the same techniques.
Creating effects physically on set with makeup, prosthetics, built props and camera tricks, with no computer graphics added later. The results look solid and real.
How this film uses it
The Sky Tower set was built on a soundstage and lit by 21 projectors aimed at a large white backdrop wrapped around the set. A real sky filmed in Hawaii played on it. The glass tower could be shot in-camera, and the actors could see the clouds around them.
Where to see it
The Sky Tower: Jack and Victoria live in a glass home above the clouds, and the sky behind them is real footage projected on the set.
Saving a reveal for the climax that changes the meaning of every scene before it. You have to rebuild the whole film in your head with the new knowledge.
How this film uses it
Late in the film you learn that humanity lost the war, that the Tet is harvesting Earth, and that Jack is a clone built to hunt humans. The early scenes of Jack calmly repairing drones now look like him serving the enemy.
Where to see it
Raven Rock: The Scavenger leader Malcolm tells Jack the truth about the war, the Tet and the clones.
Staging dreams, fantasies and imagination as literal scenes. The inner mind becomes visible, whether as wish, fear or creative power.
How this film uses it
Jack keeps dreaming of a woman on an observation deck above New York. He does not know who she is. When Julia steps out of a crashed pod, the dream turns out to be a real memory.
Where to see it
The pod crash: Jack rescues Julia from stasis and recognizes the woman from his dreams.
Questions
Oblivion: quick answers
What filmmaking techniques does Oblivion use?
CineCode breaks down 4 techniques in Oblivion (2013): Practical In-Camera Effects, Electronic Score, Retroactive Reframing Revelation and Dream Imagery as Inner Life.
Who directed Oblivion?
Joseph Kosinski directed Oblivion, released in 2013. CineCode also covers Top Gun: Maverick (2022).
What films are similar to Oblivion?
Films that share techniques with Oblivion include The Odyssey (2026), Solaris (1972), Sorcerer (1977), Videodrome (1983).
