Modern movie action is no longer limited to explosions, chases, and spectacular shootouts. Thanks to interactive entertainment, the action movie genre has acquired new features: special scene construction and unique aesthetics and shooting style. Digital storytelling has changed the rhythm and dynamics of movies, making them more fragmented but at the same time visually spectacular.
Filmmakers are actively using techniques from virtual worlds: long shots without editing splices, first-person camera, and clear level structure. Today, many directors are experimenting with such approaches, turning cinema into an interactive experience that resembles watching a live stream or following a narrative-driven simulation.
How Video Games Have Changed the Perception of Action in Movies
The development of the gaming industry has brought several important changes to cinema:
- Visual Style. Action scenes are more and more often shot with fancy camerawork that resembles a first-person camera (Hardcore Henry) or smooth long shots (John Wick) that simulate seamless digital action.
- Scene Dynamics. Virtual worlds have instilled a specific rhythm in cinematography: structured levels with escalating challenges, character progression, and quick reaction mechanics.
- Narration. Viewers prefer the structuring of a film into segments or quests, which is noticeable in films where the protagonist literally goes through a series of trials (like the interactive experiences of Dark Souls or Hotline Miami).
Directors and Actors Inspired by Video Games
The directors who grew up with video games have become iconic figures in this process:
- Neil Blomkamp (District 9, Elysium) often uses shooter aesthetics and VR effects. His short film Conviction was created in the style of the Anthem universe, and his film Gran Turismo was inspired by the game of the same name.
- Zack Snyder (Sucker Punch, Rebel Moon) creates scenes that look like cutscenes from AAA games, using slomo and emphasized framing stylization.
- Edgar Wright (Scott Pilgrim vs. The World) uses the level structure and boss battles in direct imitation of arcade games.
As for the actors, Henry Cavill openly talks about his love for The Witcher. He studied the game’s lore before filming the series and tried to recreate the image of Geralt as authentically as possible. Keanu Reeves not only played in Cyberpunk 2077 but also influenced its development by making changes to the character of Johnny Silverhand. Tom Holland, preparing for his role in Uncharted, played the game to better understand Nathan Drake’s facial expressions and movement style.
The Video Games That Inspired Action Movies
Games have become the main driving force of contemporary pop culture and shape artistic trends. This is evident in the action movie genre, where filmmakers borrow heavily from traditional digital experiences. The level design of video games, their dynamic pacing and signature mechanics have been seamlessly integrated into cinema, sometimes imperceptibly and sometimes through direct imitation.
- Max Payne — introduced time coolers that became a key technique in The Matrix.
- Uncharted — a cinematic approach to adventure inspired by the Indiana Jones series.
- Doom — ultra-dynamic gameplay influenced the pace of such movies as Hardcore Henry.
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Action Movies That Look Like Video Games
Some movies have integrated gameplay mechanics to such an extent that they have become almost game-like:
- Scott Pilgrim vs. The World is a stylization of arcade battles.
- Free Guy is a complete simulation of the video game universe.
- Gamer is the concept of real people as avatars.
The Future of Action Movies: Games vs. Cinema
Technology such as the Unreal Engine is increasingly used in movie production every year. Perhaps the future of action movies is fully interactive content, where the viewer can influence the plot similarly to modern RPGs or VR movies.