If You Liked the Movie Dark Matter, Then You Should Definitely Watch the Next One.
Apple TV certainly knows how to create high-concept sci-fi thrillers that grab you and keep you hooked. Based on the book by Blake Crouch, Dark Matter is a near-perfect sci-fi thriller, full of unexpected twists and brought to life by a truly stellar cast.
This story of parallel universes and parallel personalities who don’t always have their (or your—it’s confusing) best interests at heart is gripping. If the weekly movie release schedule gives you the creeps, and you’ve already watched our list of the best streaming-like series , there’s one film perfect for you: 2014’s Coherence .
Coherence (2014) is another gripping thriller that will change your understanding of reality.
If you enjoyed the sense of paranoid danger that permeated Dark Matter , you’ll love Coherence , which explores similar themes. And if you thought the idea of a parallel version of yourself trying to steal your life was cool, imagine multiple parallel versions of yourself wreaking havoc for hours until you’re forced to take extreme measures to protect yourself in a world where you’re suddenly no longer sure whether your friends are really your friends.
The action unfolds on the night of an “astronomical anomaly”—a comet passing very close to Earth. Eight friends with complicated histories gather for a dinner party. Just when their personal dramas begin to overshadow the evening, the comet makes its closest approach to Earth, the power goes out, and everything becomes strange. One house in the distance still has power, but when two of the group go there, they discover it’s the same house they just left—only not quite the same. And when they return, carrying a strange box filled with personal belongings and photographs of all their friends with a number written on the back, everyone realizes they’re in for a long night.
It gradually becomes clear that multiple intersecting realities exist, with visitors from other universes also exploring—and now it all risks being mixed up. And not all parallel people can be trusted. Tensions mount as mysterious blackmail notes, brutal attacks, and impersonations emerge, leading to a shocking conclusion with multiple unexpected twists. Whether you loved Dark Matter’s depiction of Jason’s desperate attempts to keep his real family together, the idea that you can’t trust what you see, or the twisted sci-fi elements at its core, you’ll love Coherence for the same reasons. Watch Coherence on Kanopy , Tubi , Hoopla , or Plex , or rent it on Prime Video .
More movies like Dark Matter
Anyone who enjoys TV series about multiple realities needs a wide variety of movie options to choose from. If you’re looking for more recommendations for films with a terrifying atmosphere and unexpected plot twists like Dark Matter , here they are.
Another Earth (2011)
If exploring the concept of parallel universes and doppelgangers appeals to you, the more thoughtful and quiet tone of this film is perfect for you. On the same day that an Earth-like planet is discovered, 17-year-old Rhoda (Brit Marling) accidentally kills a boy and his pregnant mother. Her life is shattered, and after being released from prison, she searches for the woman’s husband but can’t bring herself to admit her identity. She enters a competition to become one of the first civilians to visit Earth-2, which turns out to be a mirror world where everyone has lived roughly—but not always exactly—the same life. This revelation leads to an emotionally powerful ending that will resonate with fans of the series. Watch Another Earth on Prime Video .
The Double (2013)
Are you drawn to the Jason rivalry in Dark Matter ? Watch The Double , based on the short story by Fyodor Dostoevsky. Jesse Eisenberg plays Simon James, a timid man ignored by almost everyone in his life. One day, a man named James Simon starts working in his office—a man who looks exactly like him, but is confident, outgoing, and ruthless. The twisted story of how James influences Simon’s life is unexpected, incredibly captivating, and perfect for fans of Dark Matter . Watch The Double on the Roku Channel , Kanopy , Hoopla , or Tubi , or rent it on Prime Video .
Parallel (2018)
The question of what you would do if you could access parallel dimensions is the driving force behind the film Dark Matter, deeply imprinted in your mind, and the same one that underlies The Parallel World . When a group of colleagues discover a mirror that gives them access to a parallel world, each exploits this resource for their own personal gain until events take a terrifying and violent turn. It’s a playful thought experiment about the possibilities of a parallel world, imbued with the same emotional depth as Dark Matter . Watch The Parallel World on the Roku Channel , Hoopla , or Tubi , or rent it on Prime Video .
Destination (2014)
An adaptation of Robert Heinlein’s classic sci-fi short story “All You Zombies,” this film is impossible to describe in a single paragraph. The plot revolves around time travel rather than parallel universes, but in tone and twists, as characters shift personalities and reality reshapes itself with each new revelation, it’s very similar to “Dark Matter.” Just know that you won’t be able to predict the ending. Watch “Destination” on the Roku Channel or rent it on Prime Video .
The One (2001)
“The One” is a fundamentally crazy film, but if you don’t overthink its plot, it’s a terrific treat in the genre of parallel universes and antagonistic doppelgangers. A man named Gabriel Yulav (Jet Li) works for a government agency that monitors the multiverse—or did, until he went rogue, realizing that by killing 124 other versions of himself, he could absorb their powers and skills and become a god-like being. He’s already defeated 123 versions of himself, leaving only one left—and that’s where things get interesting. Watch “The One” on Kanopy , Hoopla , or Tubi , or rent it on Prime Video .