The Thirteenth Floor

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Cinema S @cinema_sensei Aug 22, 2026 Honestly, I don't understand why this movie gets overlooked. I can see why some people might laugh at the dated VFX, but it's a 1999 movie, so judging it by today's visual standards feels unfair. What matters to me is the concept, and it's genuinely mind-blowing. The film kept me engaged, constantly making me question what was real and where the story was going. It's definitely not perfect, but I had a great time watching it. See more Chris M @chrismays13 May 6, 2026 This is a case of the material being too esoteric for mainstream reviewers, who seemed to be confused by the layered narratives and characters essential to the story. Based on the 1964 novel Simulacron-3 [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simulacron-3], which was also adapted into a miniseries World On A Wire (1973) by the great Rainer Werner Fassbinder [https://archive.org/details/world-on-a-wire-1973-welt-am-draht-original-title-crime-mystery-sci-fi-r-w-fassbinder-360p]. The Thirteenth Floor is also part of the trio of Y2K sci-fi films hinging on virtual realities, with The Matrix (1999) and the Cronenberg thriller Existenz (1999). Although not as iconic as The Matrix, nor as squeamishly delicious as Existenz, the protagonist's noirish struggle to unravel the mystery of his own nature and identity resonates more with Paul Verhoeven's Total Recall (1990) than with the other Y2K mind-benders. Gretchen Mol has the standout role as the guardian angel, while Vincent D'Onofrio's arc is tragic. See more Mike S. @RT54543932 Apr 30, 2026 Good enough to stay engaged. Excellent ending to leave me fulfilled. See more Rosie D. @Rosieeeee Apr 8, 2026 Maybe we’re all just living in a simulation controlled by some higher intelligence, and everything around us is just an illusion. But that's fine. I think, therefore I am. See more Melissa L @Agent99 Mar 25, 2026 I thought the virtual reality effects were great for the year the movie was released. I liked it. See more Cathy B @cathy210 Mar 24, 2026 I thought some of the themes explored were fascinating such morality in virtual reality and the human body as a vessel for souls... not just only one soul. 4.5 Stars because the ending didn't make sense. I would NOT trust my husband if I ever said those words "Why did you butcher all those people?" even if she did say it to him in a different reality! See more Read all reviews

The Thirteenth Floor

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