Slipstream

Slipstream

Year: 1989

Runtime: 102 mins

Language: English

Director: Steven Lisberger

Adventure

In a near‑future world ravaged by pollution, relentless giant winds rule the planet. Bounty hunter Matt intercepts a murderer from two police officers, hoping to claim the reward for himself. The chase drives them from the earth’s depths to the edge of existence.

Slipstream (1989) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

Get a spoiler-free look at Slipstream (1989) with a clear plot overview that covers the setting, main characters, and story premise—without revealing key twists or the ending. Perfect for deciding if this film is your next watch.

In a cracked future where relentless, planet‑spanning winds—known as the Slipstream—slice across a sky choked with pollution, humanity clings to scattered outposts and the memory of a world that once steadied the horizon. The perpetual gale reshapes geography and daily life, turning every journey into a battle against an invisible, ever‑present force. The atmosphere is a mix of stark desolation and gritty resilience, with settlements huddled against the roaring currents and a pervasive sense that survival itself is a fragile negotiation with the elements.

Amid this harsh landscape, Matt roams the wasteland as a lone bounty hunter, eyes fixed on the promise of a lucrative reward that could secure a foothold in an otherwise unforgiving existence. He is not a solitary figure for long; the chase draws him into a tenuous partnership with two seasoned enforcers, Will Tasker and Belitski, who each carry their own codes of conduct and wear the weariness of countless pursuits like a second skin. The trio’s dynamic crackles with a blend of competition and reluctant camaraderie, each aware that the line between hunter and prey blurs when the wind itself seems to dictate fate.

The central pursuit centers on a murderer who has slipped through the fragile law of the settlements, becoming a phantom that drifts along the same currents that threaten everyone else. As the three hunters close the distance, the Slipstream becomes both obstacle and omen, its roaring presence echoing the internal storms each character grapples with—ambition, duty, and the lingering hope for redemption in a world that has already lost so much.

Together, they navigate a universe where technology is uneven, the environment is hostile, and every decision carries the weight of a world perpetually on the brink. The film offers a brooding, kinetic tone that balances kinetic chase sequences with moments of quiet reflection, inviting the audience to wonder not only who will claim the bounty, but what price they are willing to pay to the wind that never ceases its relentless sweep.

Last Updated: December 03, 2025 at 23:44

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Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Dystopian Chase Movies Like Slipstream

Relentless pursuits through dangerous, decaying landscapes where survival is the only goal.If you enjoyed the relentless, high-stakes chase through a wind-ravaged world in Slipstream, you'll find similar thrills here. This collection features movies with fast-paced fugitive pursuits set in harsh, post-apocalyptic or dystopian landscapes, where the environment is as much a threat as the pursuers.

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Narrative Summary

These narratives are typically linear and propulsive, structured around a central pursuit. The conflict is often physical and immediate, driven by the need to capture or escape. The journey exposes the brutal realities of a broken world, emphasizing raw survival over complex plotting.

Why These Movies?

Movies in this thread share a core DNA of high-intensity action, a fast pace, and a tense, bleak tone. They are united by the narrative engine of a chase set against a dystopian backdrop, creating a coherent experience of desperation and constant danger.

Philosophical Sci-Fi Action Like Slipstream

Action-driven stories set in collapsing futures that explore deep questions of humanity.For viewers who appreciated the blend of chase action and deeper themes in Slipstream, this list highlights similar sci-fi movies. These stories combine a tense, fast-paced narrative with a heavy emotional weight, exploring ideas of android identity, technological hubris, and survival faith within a bleak future setting.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern involves a core action or survival plot that gradually reveals deeper philosophical layers. Characters often grapple with their own humanity or purpose amidst chaos. The journey is externally perilous but internally reflective, leading to a conclusion that is emotionally resonant and often bittersweet.

Why These Movies?

These films are grouped by their shared mood of bleak melancholia and their thematic focus on existential crisis within a sci-fi context. They successfully merge a moderate level of narrative complexity with high intensity, resulting in a thought-provoking yet thrilling experience.

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Don't stop at just watching — explore Slipstream in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what Slipstream is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

Slipstream Summary

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Slipstream Summary

Slipstream Timeline

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Slipstream Timeline

Characters, Settings & Themes in Slipstream

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Characters, Settings & Themes in Slipstream

More About Slipstream

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