Neon lamps. Fast cars. Dull atmosphere. Violence. Synthetic melodies. These are the hallmarks of the Outrun aesthetic, a common sub-genre born from synthwave music and 80s film visuals. Outrun is hard to quantify because it’s more of a feeling. It’s like you’re a detective on a case, driving through neon-lit streets at night under the light of a full moon.
Outrun is often referred to as noir close, but it’s not exactly about law enforcement. In fact, the name comes from Sega’s 1986 arcade racing game. The game’s soundtrack inspired French electronic musician Kavinsky’s 2013 debut album, which he named after the game. Since then, the name has become associated with the synth-wave genre, the 80s film aesthetic and their synth soundtracks.
“Only God Forgives” (2013)
Nicholas Winding Refn, 2013 Only God forgives Peculiarities Ryan Gosling runs a kickboxing ring in Thailand as a front for his mother’s drug empire. The whole family is in blood, and the film opens with Julian’s brother committing a terrible crime. The family’s relationship with the locals in Thailand serves as a commentary on colonialism under the guise of an action movie.
Only God forgives displays many attributes of the Outrun aesthetic. Illuminated in neon pinks and blues and with synthetic songs, the film is clearly based on the 80s movies and soundtracks that define this sub-genre.
“Running Man” (1987)
Based on the 1982 Stephen King novel of the same name. running Man shows a dystopian United States where convicted felons must escape death at the hands of professional assassins as part of a TV show. The film is a plagiarism of the 1983 French film. Le Prix du Danger which, like the 1970 German film Million Spielwas based on Robert Sheckley1958 short story “Danger Prize”.
The film takes place in the then-future of 2017, but as it can be seen through the lens of 1987. This strong sense of retrofuturism complements the synth-heavy music composed by Harold Faltermeyer. Both sound and aesthetic perception running Man were a major influence on the Outrun subgenre.
TRON (2010)
Disney THRONE is a classic. These are the stars Jeff Bridges as Kevin Flynn, a video game developer who is transported into the virtual world. There, he faces many threats while interacting with anthropomorphic programs in an attempt to return to reality.
THRONE may not be a masterpiece, in fact the film’s arcade game made more money than the film did at the box office. However, its far-reaching influence on special effects and exploration of contemporary themes saw its popularity grow over the years, with a sequel eventually being released 28 years after its original release. Neon-filled sights and sounds have inspired countless imitators.
“Escape from New York” (1981)
John Carpenter1981 science fiction action film Escape from New York did as much as any film to influence the Outrun subgenre. Set in the then-future of 1997, Escape from New York depicts a crime-ridden United States that has turned the island of Manhattan into a massive maximum security prison. Interestingly, Carpenter began writing the screenplay in the 1970s in response to the Watergate scandal.
Carpenter wrote the music himself, which has influenced Outrun and other Cyberpunk, Synthwave, and New Retrowave subgenres. High-octane car chases and melodramatic, hard-boiled film types have clearly influenced the Outrun subgenre. Escape from New York deliberately hacky and arguably the greatest B-movie ever made.
“Warriors” (1979)
Based on the 1965 novel of the same name, 1979 Warriors tells the story of a fictional New York City street gang who must travel from the Bronx to their home turf in Coney Island after they are framed for the murder of a respected gang leader. Following its release, there were outbreaks of vandalism and violence, including three murders, prompting Paramount to stop advertising the film. Although it was received mostly negatively upon release, it was re-evaluated by film critics in later years.
After his debut Warriors quickly became a cult classic and set the tone for the wider synthwave sound that would flourish in film scores over the next decade. The film’s plot of a short-tempered youth entwined with violence is shown from the perspective of the street gangs involved, which appealed to working-class teenagers. In general, images Warriors influenced the overall attributes of the Outrun aesthetic.
“Kung Fury” (2015)
This 2015 short film pays homage to the martial arts and police action films of the 1980s. With a duration of only half an hour, kung fury is an ongoing barrage of visual references and homages to 1980s films that it lovingly satirizes. A sequel has been in development since 2016 and should be released sometime in 2022.
kung fury it’s like a time-forgotten movie rediscovered in a dusty old box of videotapes in someone’s attic. In many ways, kung fury is the zenith of the trails and hallmarks of Outrun. A seasoned, melodramatic protagonist, intense and often over the top action, and of course, a synthetic soundtrack. kung fury as an essential Outrun.
Akira (1988)
1988s Akira is a Japanese animated action film that has influenced both Outrun and neighboring cyberpunk subgenres. Set in a dystopian Tokyo, biker gang leader Kaneda must deal with his friend’s new telepathic abilities in the midst of civil unrest. Akira known not only for its atmosphere, but also for its intense body horror.
Akira widely considered one of the greatest animated films of all time. Although the film is more like cyberpunk overall, AkiraThe exceptional visuals and the scaled image of futuristic Tokyo from the back seat of a motorcycle have undoubtedly influenced the Outrun’s aesthetic. Akirathe influence extends to countless other anime as well as famous American films like Jordan Peele’s. nope, Matrixas well as Origin.
Blade Runner 2049 (2017)
Sequel to 2017 1982 Blade Runner made an immediate impression on the synthwave and Outrun communities. Producer Denis Villeneuve, the film stars Ryan Gosling as K, a Blade Runner who uncovers a secret that threatens to destabilize society and the course of civilization. The long-awaited sequel was a big box office success, but was a critical success upon release.
Score by the Greek musician Vangelis to the original Blade Runner heavily influenced by the heavy synth tracks that make up the sonic side of Outrun’s overall vibe, and Villeneuve’s sequel carried the baton while creating something new. The legendary composer Hans Zimmer, together with Benjamin Wallfisch, created Blade Runner 2049soundtrack with pulsating percussion and atmospheric synth textures. All in all, Blade Runner 2049 retained the influence of its predecessor and contributed to Outrun in its own way.
Blade Runner
Although it did not initially do well at the box office, Ridley Scott1982 film Blade Runner has since established itself as one of the most influential films of all time. Based Philip K. Dick1968 novel Do androids dream of electric sheep?, the film stars Harrison Ford as a burnt-out cop hunting down a group of rouge synthetics in a dystopian Los Angeles. Blade Runner is often considered a shining example of neo-noir cinema, as well as a seminal work of the cyberpunk genre to which Outrun adjoins.
the soundtrack is arguably his biggest contribution to Outrun. A dark mixture of traditional compositions with futuristic synthesizers, written by the Greek musician Vangelis, reflects a film about a high-tech but collapsing future. When you combine this with the overall moody atmosphere and bright neon visuals,
Blade Runner’
Fingerprints can be seen all over Outrun.
Drive
Nicholas Winding Refn2011 film Drive Ryan Gosling plays a stunt driver who moonlights as a getaway driver. He becomes intertwined with his neighbor, resulting in him taking part in a robbery with her husband. The plan goes awry and the lives of everyone involved are at risk.
The drive not only marked a turning point in Ryan Gosling’s career, but served as a starting point for many in the Outrun subgenre. With its soundtrack full of synth melodies, Drive started a synthwave renaissance that flourished throughout the 2010s. Its frantic car chases, surly protagonist, and extreme violence have given many a formative Outrun experience.
Source: Collider
