SIMULACRA AND HYPERREALITY IN BLADE RUNNER 2049 (2017)

Abstract

Today's world is characterized by the era of simulation and hyperreality, with many
artificial realities that take over or even replace reality itself. Many aspects can now be
created or simulated through the manipulation of advanced technology, Jean Baudrillard
calls this the phenomenon of “hyperreality”. The movie Blade Runner 2049 tells the story
of this condition where artificial things are flooding the reality, and the replicants can even
replace the role of humans themselves. In this movie, the artificially engineered human is
called 'replicant'. Jean Baudrillard's simulacra analysis is the methodology that the
researcher uses to analyze the film, as well as taking a qualitative approach. This method is
done by observing the entire content of the movie, as well as examining various signs, both
verbal and non-verbal, to see the relationship between the Blade Runner 2049 with Jean
Baudrillard's hyperreality concept. The phenomenon of artificial humans or replicants, as
well as advanced virtual technology and advanced manipulation by technology is very
representative of Baudrillard's thinking. Where the world of the future, depicted as full of
darkness due to the development of technology itself. Not only does it replace the role of
humans, but even trying to surpass God.