5 great movies and series about IT people and freelancers that you may not know

Let’s take a break from coding or building IT teams and dig into the world of film for a while. You have a lot in common with the heroes of these lesser-known films and series — they’re IT guys, hackers or IT freelancers dealing with life’s professional challenges; whether they be super-intelligent systems, revolutions in IT or saving the world (or at least their own life), you definitely shouldn’t miss them.

The Circle (2017) – USA

In a world where everything is being watched, it’s important to know who you can trust. Emma Watson plays a young girl who starts working for a large IT company where technology controls everything — from what we buy to our lives — and she slowly starts to discover that the surveillance isn’t just for security and that the company she works for has much darker intentions.

Why should you watch it? Because of the cleverly crafted topic about the impact of technology on our privacy — something that resonates with almost every IT professional these days. And you’ll also get to see Tom Hanks in quite a different role!

Who Am I: Kein System ist sicher (2014) – Germany

This crazy European-style hacker ride is a must-watch! Benjamin, a typical introvert and IT guy, joins a group of hackers and they suddenly find themselves in the middle of something much bigger than they imagined — the crosshairs of the secret services. The film plays on the psychology of hacking and what it means to be ‘invisible’ in the digital world. It’s something that will grab the attention of anyone who spends more time in front of a keyboard than in a café.

Why should you watch it? Because of its dark atmosphere, surprising plot and most importantly — this movie will make you think about everything you can do with IT skills (and we don’t just mean clean code).

Eagle Eye (2008) – USA

When a superintelligent system drags you into a game you didn’t want to play, it can cost you your life. Jerry Shaw, an ordinary guy, finds himself in the middle of a series of operations controlled by artificial intelligence. And once you awaken it, there’s no turning back. A technological thriller that is still relevant, especially at a time when AI and its influence on our lives are becoming an increasingly discussed topic.

Why should you watch it? The film shows what happens when AI is given too much power — it’s perfect for those who want to take a moment and think about what we are actually coding.

Halt and Catch Fire (2014–2017) – USA (series)

This is a series that every IT person will love. Go back in time to the 80s and watch the beginning of the IT revolution. The four main characters are trying to break through in the field of personal computers, and then the Internet. Everything the IT world means today begins here. And even if you don’t completely love the 80s style, you will definitely appreciate the drama, rivalry and incredible passion for technology that radiates from the characters.

Why should you watch it? This is simply the cornerstone of every tech enthusiast. You get to see how it all started, and maybe it’ll give you a little more of a kick to change the world (or at least finish the IT project you’ve started).

Debug (2014) – Canada

On a spaceship where everything has failed, you are left to rely only on your abilities. A group of young hackers is sent to an abandoned vessel to fix bugs in the system. But what they don’t expect is the presence of artificial intelligence that has no intention of cooperating — it’s a sci-fi thriller in which hackers try to survive a clash with AI in an environment where every mistake is fatal.

Why should you watch it? Hackers in space? You have to watch this! If you like sci-fi and IT, this is the perfect combination.

When you’re not immersed in code or busy building the next big IT project, take a break and watch one of these films. The heroes are from the world of IT like us — they deal with problems, struggle with technology and sometimes also reality. And who knows, perhaps you’ll find inspiration for your next coding marathon.

And if you need to find the right  IT team or partners to join, everyone at TITANS is here for you! We don’t film blockbusters about IT outsourcing, but we live it every day.