This 9-Minute Action Sequence Remains the Greatest Scene in Sci-Fi History

Published Oct 21, 2026, 9:03 PM EDT Conor Sheeran is a Movies and TV features writer for Collider. He has a deep passion for cinema and watches everything from the biggest blockbusters to the smallest indies. While he specializes in movies and television, he has also written about politics, culture, and sports throughout his career. Based in New York City, Conor is also a massive fan of the New York Jets, Mets, and Knicks. He is still waiting for any of those teams to bring home a championship in his lifetime. A member of the National Writers Union and the International Federation of Journalists, Conor is a strong proponent of press freedom and collective action. From the groundbreaking lightsaber duels between Darth Vader and Obi-Wan Kenobi in Star Wars to the terrifying post-apocalyptic warfare of The Terminator, and as far back as films like Flash Gordon, science fiction has possessed a unique ability to combine the best elements of our imagination with pulse-pounding action. While many of these legendary films have taken our breath away with their ability to convey action, few have managed to match the technical brilliance and emotional devastation of Alfonso Cuarón's Children of Men. Set in a dystopian future where humanity faces its eventual extinction due to decades of infertility, the film is a terrifying look at a society's collapse, what it means to lose hope, and the consequences of that hopeless existence. Children of Men stars Clive Owen, Julianne Moore, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Clare-Hope Ashitey, Charlie Hunnam, and Michael Caine, with Owen leading the cast as Theo, a disillusioned former activist tasked with protecting a pregnant refugee named Kee (Ashitey). The film is built on drama, but possesses numerous impressive action sequences, with none more memorable than the climactic fight in the final act where Theo, desperately trying to find Kee amidst a battle between soldiers and militants, attempts to navigate the war-torn streets. Much of it is filmed as a single, uninterrupted take that lasts around nine minutes; the sequence is a masterclass in cinematic tension. Nearly 20 years since it premiered, Children of Men's climactic scene remains one of the best action-driven sequences in science-fiction history. 'Children of Men' Uses One Uninterrupted Shot To Capture the Horrors of War From beginning to end, Children of Men possesses some of the most stunning visuals ever put onto screen. One of Cuarón's greatest feats in the film is the use of extended takes, made to look as if they are one shot, to immerse the audience in a world teetering on the brink of destruction. Though the final sequence is the movie's best, an earlier scene where Theo and his companions are attacked is, in many ways, just as remarkable. However, the film's climactic battle in the refugee camp elevates the approach to the next level, fully captivating the viewer in the chaos unfolding on screen. After Kee and her newborn are taken by militants and a battle with soldiers begins, Theo races into the war-torn streets to rescue them. The camera rarely lets him out of sight, creating the unsettling impression that the viewers are accompanying him as the world descends into chaos. Every gunshot feels dangerously close, and despite the absence of traditional action movie heroics, the danger feels very real. What makes the sequence particularly remarkable is how vulnerable Theo remains throughout. He isn't a trained soldier picking up a rifle and getting into shootouts. He's trying to survive, desperately searching for someone he had promised to protect, someone who could be humanity's last hope for a future. His helplessness transforms an already impressive technical achievement into something far more emotionally gripping. It makes him one of the most interesting characters the science fiction genre has created in recent years, someone whose best and worst qualities only become more apparent with every watch of Children of Men. 'Children of Men's Greatest Moment Comes When the Gunfire Finally Stops Image via Universal Pictures For all its accomplishments, the sequence's defining, most emotional moment has nothing to do with action, explosions, gunfire, or elaborate choreography. Instead, it comes when the movie is at its quietest. As Theo rescues Kee and her child, both sides of the battle suddenly stop as they see the baby, the first born in decades, with everyone left in stunned silence as the pair moves to leave the apartment building. Having lived in a world without hope for so long, the sight of something they thought humanity had lost forever leaves each person bewildered. Transfixed at the sight, the soldiers with their rifles, bombs, and tanks stand still. For a fleeting moment, the conflict between both sides no longer matters. It's one of the most powerful scenes in modern science fiction because Cuarón doesn't overstate its significance to the narrative. There's no big speech or declaration about humanity's future; just a baby crying and people left questioning whether what they're seeing is actually real. It conveys everything the viewer needs to know about just how important this is. Tragically, and despite the importance of Theo and Kee's walk to safety, the fighting picks up once again, shattering the fragile peace. Even the apparent miracle of humanity's survival isn't enough to overcome its capacity for its own destruction. This sequence is not just an astonishing achievement of cinematography and production design; its enduring power comes from the contrast between humanity's endless cruelty and the hope of a possible renewal represented by one child. Plenty of science fiction movies deliver larger battles and more elaborate effects. Few, however, have made an action movie feel so frightening and profoundly human as this one. It's why the movie remains a landmark of the genre, and why its unforgettable final battle deserves its place amongst the greatest sequences ever put to film. Release Date January 5, 2007 Runtime 109 minutes Director Alfonso Cuarón Writers Alfonso Cuarón, David Arata, Timothy J. Sexton, Hawk Ostby, Mark Fergus, P. D. James Producers Eric Newman, Hilary Shor, Iain Smith, Marc Abraham, Tony Smith