9 Years Ago, Netflix’s Quietly Released The Best Mind-Bending Spiritual Sci-Fi Original

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Netflix’s sci-fi show, which ran for nine years, was praised for its clever ideas and thought-provoking themes. Many fans still regret that it was cancelled.

Netflix has generally played it safe with science fiction, unlike Apple TV, which has embraced bolder, more experimental shows. But around ten years ago, Netflix was more willing to take chances, leading them to invest in one of their most creatively daring original sci-fi series.

Despite being canceled after just two seasons, the Netflix sci-fi series remains highly regarded as a standout achievement in streaming science fiction.

The OA Perfectly Blended Hard Sci-Fi With Metaphysics & Spirituality

As a total film and TV buff, I’ve been completely captivated by The OA, created by Brit Marling and Zak Batmanglij. What I really love is how it beautifully blends science and spirituality. So many sci-fi stories depend on gadgets and wormholes for traveling to other dimensions, but The OA takes a different approach. It suggests our minds themselves are the key – that we can use our consciousness to move between worlds. It’s a really fascinating concept and sets it apart from everything else out there.

In the show, near-death experiences often appear as glimpses into other dimensions, which the story describes as unseen rivers.

The series The OA skillfully contrasts spiritual beliefs and scientific thinking, largely through its antagonist, Dr. Hap. He views the afterlife not as a mystical realm, but as something to be studied and understood scientifically, reducing the human soul to mere data and believing the afterlife is a measurable frequency originating from Saturn’s rings.

The first episode of The OA seems like a story about the hardships faced by people held captive. But as the series unfolds, it becomes a fascinating exploration of Gnostic ideas – the belief that the physical world is a kind of prison, and that true freedom comes from knowledge and self-awareness.

In the second part of The OA, the show takes a surprising and philosophical direction, directly addressing the audience and blurring the line between the story and reality. Brit Marling, who plays the main character, essentially steps into the role of herself, suggesting that fiction isn’t just for enjoyment—it has the power to shape new realities.

Sci-Fi Fans Still Mourn The OA’s Cancellation

Even though it’s been nearly ten years since it first came out, The OA remains incredibly popular with a dedicated fanbase. It’s a shame Netflix canceled the show based on initial viewing numbers, rather than giving its complex and imaginative story a chance to fully develop. While a revival seems improbable after all this time, many fans and cast members still hold out hope that the story will eventually be finished.

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Until then, many people find hope in imagining a reality, much like the one in The OA, where the show wasn’t canceled and continues as if nothing happened.

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2025-12-21 05:38