Matt Damon’s Underrated Sci-Fi Action Movie Is Leaving Netflix

A 2013 dystopian sci-fi film starring Matt Damon is leaving Netflix’s content library soon. Set in a futuristic world divided by wealth, the story follows a man on a mission that could change the fate of humanity.

Elysium is leaving Netflix next month

Netflix will be delisting Elysium on Wednesday, April 1, 2026.

Set in 2154, humanity is divided into two parts: The wealthy live on Elysium, a space station just outside Earth, while the poor live in the slums on the planet. After a workplace accident exposes Max to lethal radiation, he learns he has only a few days to live. Desperate to live, Max agrees to work with a group that can smuggle him to Elysium in exchange for stealing information. His actions could ultimately help all of humankind.

Neill Blomkamp wrote and directed the film, following the success of his first feature film, District 9. He reunited not only with several other members of the District 9 team but also with its production company, TriStar Pictures. Elysium became one of the studio’s most expensive films, made at a budget of $115 million.

The film’s cast features Matt Damon as Max, Jodie Foster as Jessica Delacourt, Sharlto Copley as Kruger, Alice Braga as Frey, Diego Luna as Julio, and Wagner Moura as Spider, among others.

Blomkamp originally wanted South African rapper Watkin Tudor Jones to play Max. Reportedly, Jones loves District 9 and even has “D9” tattooed on his inner lip (via The Guardian). However, he passed on the offer since he didn’t want his first role to be an “American-accented character.”

The director then approached Eminem, but the rapper reportedly wanted the film to be shot in Detroit. Subsequently, Damon accepted the role. In an interview with Variety, the actor said he spent four hours in the gym since the director envisioned a very specific body type for Max.

Elysium premiered in cinemas worldwide on August 9, 2013, and received a mixed-to-positive reception. Commercially, the film earned roughly $286 million globally, per Box Office Mojo.

Source: Comingsoon.net