Ernest Cline’s 2011 novel is set in a dystopian year 2045 and follows Wade Wyatt, whose obsession with a global virtual reality game will pay off when he learns of an Easter egg that will give its finder the keys to the entire kingdom. Finding the necessary clues requires an in-depth knowledge of games and movies, and Wade is well prepared. It’s a kind of wish-fulfillment scenario in which all that otherwise useless knowledge finally pays off. Likewise, Steven Spielberg’s film adaptation contains dozens, if not hundreds, of pop culture recalls: references to Back to the Future, The Iron Giant, Gundam, The Shining, Jurassic Park, Batman, etc. So many, in fact, that the film probably never could have been without Spielberg Levels can be made to get all rights clearances. In the world of OASIS, four-quadrant multi-billion dollar global franchises are apparently niche problems, and only the neriest nerds could ever identify themselves.
Where to stream: HBO Max, Hulu, Sling TV
