Blade Runner Meets Jason Bourne In Netflix’s 2-Part Sci-Fi Series

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There’s a lot of overlap between fans of Blade Runner and Jason Bourne – most people who enjoy one probably enjoy the other. If you’re a fan of both, you might like a sci-fi series on Netflix that combines elements of both movies.

Although Stranger Things has been a huge hit for Netflix and helped make the streaming service so popular, its other science fiction shows aren’t very strong. Netflix seems to focus more on fantasy, teen dramas, and horror, while viewers interested in quality science fiction are increasingly finding it on Apple TV.

Despite a vast number of original shows, Netflix has produced some real gems. One standout is Altered Carbon. Inspired by Richard K. Morgan’s 2002 novel, the series takes place 360 years in the future and explores a world where memories and consciousness can be digitized, essentially allowing people to achieve a form of immortality.

The show centers on Takeshi Kovacs, an ex-soldier who fought against the established powers 250 years in the past. He’s awakened from a frozen state and placed into a new body with one condition: solve a murder, and he’ll earn the chance to live his own life again.

Visually, the show is heavily inspired by Blade Runner, embracing a similar cyberpunk style but with its own unique take. The core storyline – a murder mystery – and the lead character’s skills as a spy, assassin, and espionage expert, draw comparisons to characters like Jason Bourne. With just 18 episodes, it’s a quick and satisfying watch you’ll really enjoy.

How Altered Carbon Stands Out From Other Sci-Fi TV Shows

The sci-fi show Altered Carbon is unique because the main character, Kovacs, is played by a different actor each season. Joel Kinnaman played him in the first season, and Anthony Mackie took on the role in season two, due to the show’s premise of characters transferring consciousness into new bodies.

This creates a tricky situation. Viewers naturally form a connection with the first actor they see as Kovacs, so changing actors in season two could be disruptive. However, this actually works in a positive way – it makes you focus more on the core essence of the character Kovacs himself, rather than Anthony Mackie or Joel Kinnaman, who both wisely avoid trying to make the role their own.

Altered Carbon embraces the gritty, action-packed style of classic cyberpunk films like Blade Runner and spy thrillers such as the Jason Bourne series. The show is stunning to look at, sometimes to the point of being overwhelming. While the mystery is complex and visually busy, it ultimately makes for a really enjoyable experience.

This series openly embraces its inspirations from various genres, and isn’t shy about using familiar storylines. Surprisingly, it often pulls it off! Blending elements of neo-noir, cyberpunk, spy thrillers, and even war stories, it creates a unique viewing experience you won’t find in many other shows.

Even though season 2 of Altered Carbon received better reviews (81% on Rotten Tomatoes compared to 70% for season 1), Netflix canceled the show in 2020. While the cancellation leaves the story unresolved, Altered Carbon remains a worthwhile watch despite its lack of a proper ending.

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2026-05-20 00:28