By When I’m in a bad mood—whether it’s from the state of the world or just feeling off—traditional feel-good movies often don’t help. It’s not that they’re bad movies; it’s just that the pressure to feel better while watching them makes the experience feel forced. Instead, I need something that engages my imagination without directly trying to fix my emotions. Alita: Battle Angel is my perfect comfort movie for these times.
Alita: A Surprising Heroine
When Alita: Battle Angel first came out in 2019, I gave it a decent review, though I didn’t fully appreciate how much it had to offer. Directed by Robert Rodriguez and produced by James Cameron, this adaptation of the Alita: Battle Angel manga initially felt like a big, noisy spectacle. But after multiple viewings, especially on sick days, I began to see its unique charm. The movie follows Alita, a cyborg with no memory, who embarks on a journey of self-discovery in a dystopian world. With the help of Dr. Ido (played by Christoph Waltz), Alita takes on dangerous cyborg sports, becomes a bounty hunter, and eventually uncovers her past as a powerful warrior.
A Perfect Blend of Sci-Fi and Heart
What makes Alita: Battle Angel stand out is its blend of high-energy action and heartfelt moments. In a time when many sci-fi and fantasy movies hold back key characters or plot points for sequels or budget reasons, Alita offers an abundance of both. The movie is filled with visually inventive characters, landscapes, and rapid pacing, thanks to Cameron’s world-building expertise and Rodriguez’s high-octane direction. Alita, played by Rosa Salazar, is a plucky, endearing character whose personal journey—from naive and curious to fierce and empowered—resonates deeply.
In addition to her action-packed journey, Alita’s character can also be seen as symbolic of a trans hero’s journey—finding her identity and strength in a new, more fitting body. This adds an extra layer of relevance for modern audiences, particularly for those who see themselves in Alita’s struggle for identity and belonging.
A Sci-Fi Escape with Real-World Relevance
The film’s themes of survival, empowerment, and hope in a broken world mirror real-world struggles. Released during a time of political uncertainty and later rewatched during the global pandemic, Alita has accidentally become a symbol of resilience. Despite its bleak future setting, it presents a world where the “pure of heart” can still overcome extreme odds—sometimes through a violent cyborg sport. There’s a certain catharsis in watching Alita take down the film’s antagonists, and it’s refreshing to see a character who remains both childlike in wonder and fierce in battle.
Unlike other sci-fi films that might focus purely on humanity’s redemption, Alita: Battle Angel provides a balance of escapism and empowerment, showing that even in the worst of times, something extraordinary can rise from the rubble.
Why I Choose Alita: Battle Angel as My Comfort Movie
For me, Alita: Battle Angel isn’t just a regular feel-good movie. It’s a cinematic escape that’s perfectly imperfect. It’s about a chaotic, fantastical world where a protagonist overcomes immense odds with determination, skill, and heart. Though it may not be your typical feel-good film, it offers a sense of catharsis and hope that resonates on a deeply personal level. For a movie to make me feel better, it doesn’t have to tell me to feel good—it simply needs to take me on a thrilling journey, and Alita does just that, turning a troubled world into a place where triumphs, however small, are always possible.
This unique blend of sci-fi action and emotional depth has turned Alita: Battle Angel into more than just a movie—it’s a source of comfort and inspiration when the world feels overwhelming.
