Great Moments in Dystopian Knitwear
Snowpiercer has a lot going for it. It’s a fresh look at a dystopian future, with a funky premise — the surviving members of human society all live on a train — and strong performances. But it’s also part of a noble tradition of the Knitwear of the End Times. There’s something about dystopian/apocalyptic/end-of-days movies: They often feature grody sweaters, ratty scarves, and soiled hats. Here are some great moments in apocalyptic knitwear.
The Matrix is the ultimate example of grungy knitwear in the dystopian age. Part of that is to contrast with the shiny outfits everyone wears inside t...
The Matrix is the ultimate example of grungy knitwear in the dystopian age. Part of that is to contrast with the shiny outfits everyone wears inside the Matrix; part of that is to signify the capacity for human culture to decay; and part of that is because when Keanu Reeves wears a torn shirt, you just want to help him.
Photo: Warner Bros.
In any militarized situation, a dingy knit will seem particularly organic compared to the sleek machinery of a uniform. That goes double for a rustic ...
In any militarized situation, a dingy knit will seem particularly organic compared to the sleek machinery of a uniform. That goes double for a rustic poncho. (Everything goes double for a rustic poncho.)
Photo: Universal Pictures
The people of District 12 apparently love their fiber arts. It's because they're real, authentic people, unlike the phony-baloneys from the Capitol, w...
The people of District 12 apparently love their fiber arts. It's because they're real, authentic people, unlike the phony-baloneys from the Capitol, who wear clothes made by sad computers or whatever.
Photo: Lionsgate
You might think a heavy knit and a dark color would hide the filth of the end times, but no! That sweater is still real dirty.
Photo: Warner Bros.
YO. ROBERT ALTMAN MADE A FEW WEIRD MOVIES, TOO.
Photo: Keystone-France/KEYSTONE-FRANCE
Shearling isn't technically a knit, but it is wool — and sweet merciful lord, does it ever get scuzzy-looking. (True story: Christian Bale's character...
Shearling isn't technically a knit, but it is wool — and sweet merciful lord, does it ever get scuzzy-looking. (True story: Christian Bale's character in this movie is named Quinn Abercromby. Nice jacket, Quinn Abercromby.)
Photo: ©Walt Disney Co./Courtesy Evere/©Walt Disney Co./Courtesy Everett Collection
When the nuclear winter begins, remember one rule: Grab your Felicity sweater and hit the road.
Photo: ©Paramount/Courtesy Everett Col/Copyright © ©P...When the nuclear winter begins, remember one rule: Grab your Felicity sweater and hit the road.
Photo: ©Paramount/Courtesy Everett Col/Copyright © ©Paramount/Courtesy Everett Collection / Everett Collection
9 is technically a "stitchpunk," but let's be real: He's the living embodiment of grody apocalypse knits.
Photo: Focus Features
The postman always rings twice ... because he's wearing so many dang sweaters, he can't even feel the doorbell.
Photo: Warner Bros.
It's not just a grimy long cardigan. There are also some soot-stained knit hats, too.
Photo: RADiUS-TWC
Don't be distracted by the nylon-and-down jackets — that's a knit hat peeking out. Knit hats will be the most treasured of all hats when the deca...
Don't be distracted by the nylon-and-down jackets — that's a knit hat peeking out. Knit hats will be the most treasured of all hats when the decay begins.
Photo: Dimension Films
See? Knit hat.
Photo: Les Films du Losange
Eh, these aren't knits. But any opportunity to remind everyone about how cripplingly stupid Waterworld was is an opportunity to be seized.
Photo: Arc...Eh, these aren't knits. But any opportunity to remind everyone about how cripplingly stupid Waterworld was is an opportunity to be seized.
Photo: Archive Photos/2012 Getty Images