Escape from New York (1981)

»Escape from New York,« directed by John Carpenter and released in 1981, is a dystopian action-thriller that explores themes of societal decay, survival, and the questionable nature of authority. Set in a future where Manhattan has become a maximum-security prison, the film follows anti-hero Snake Plissken (Kurt Russell) as he navigates this lawless landscape to rescue the President of the United States. With its gritty atmosphere, stylish cinematography, and Carpenter's signature synthesizer score, the film has become a cult classic, notable for its exploration of urban decay and the complex portrayal of its morally ambiguous protagonist.