Movies and TV Predictions for 2024

Writer Harlan Ellison made significant contributions to forward-looking fiction, and his stories have been adapted across various mediums. One standout story is his 1969 short story “A Boy and His Dog,” which evolved into a novella, a graphic novel, and a live-action film. The movie version stars Don Johnson as Vic, an 18-year-old boy devoid of moral understanding, who navigates a post-apocalyptic United States with the aid of his telepathic dog, Blood.

Released in 1975, the film is set primarily in 2024, framed with the tagline, “a future you’ll probably live to see.” Despite its dark comedy approach, some of the film’s content has sparked controversy over the years. Nevertheless, it remains a cherished cult favorite. “It is a movie that reflects its times, and yet speaks to current intelligence,” Ellison remarked to The Dissolve when “A Boy and His Dog” became available on Blu-ray.

Writer and director L.Q. Jones asserts that the film served as an inspiration for George Miller when creating the “Mad Max” series, which debuted four years later. Additionally, the “Fallout” video game series has drawn influence from the movie. Jesse Heinig, designer and scripter, told The Escapist, “‘A Boy and His Dog’ inspired ‘Fallout’ on many levels, from underground communities of survivors to glowing mutants.”

Source: The Dissolve, The Escapist