Why New Scientist Just Endorsed Hackers—Three Decades Late
In an unexpected move, New Scientist—the prestigious science and tech magazine—has reevaluated the 1995 cult film Hackers, declaring it surprisingly prescient. Starring a young Angelina Jolie, Jonny Lee Miller, and Matthew Lillard, the movie was once dismissed as a cheesy, unrealistic take on cyberculture. Now, New Scientist argues it foreshadowed digital activism, cybersecurity threats, and even internet aesthetics.
A Film Ahead of Its Time
When Hackers premiered, the internet was still a novelty for most. Critics mocked its over-the-top hacking scenes (think neon data streams and rapid-fire typing) as pure fantasy. Yet, New Scientist’s reappraisal highlights how the film’s themes—corporate espionage, hacktivism, and tech-fueled rebellion—mirror today’s digital landscape.
4 Reasons Hackers Feels Relevant in 2024
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Hacktivism Foreshadowed – The film’s heroes, like “Zero Cool” and “Acid Burn,” embody early hacktivists. Today, groups like Anonymous and figures like Edward Snowden prove digital resistance is real.
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Cybersecurity Paranoia Proved Right – The villain, a security expert exploiting hacks for fraud, mirrors modern cybercrime—now a trillion-dollar threat.
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Tech Aesthetic Influencer – Its cyberpunk visuals (raves, VR graphics) shaped how pop culture depicts hackers (Mr. Robot, Silicon Valley).
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Nostalgia for the Wild West Internet – Millennials cherish its portrayal of BBS forums, phreaking, and a lawless digital frontier lost to today’s corporate web.
Campy Charm or Secret Genius?
Let’s be real: Hackers is gloriously absurd. From “Hack the planet!” to rollerblading through data tunnels, it’s a time capsule of ’90s excess. Yet, New Scientist suggests its flaws make it a perfect primer on cybersecurity—with a side of nostalgia.
Verdict: A Cult Classic Vindicated
Three decades later, Hackers gets its due as both a cultural relic and accidental prophet. Whether you’re a cybersecurity pro or a ’90s kid, it’s worth a rewatch—CRT monitor optional but recommended.
— NextMinuteNews Tech & Culture Desk
