30 Years Later, Hackers Remains the Ultimate ’90s Tech Time Capsule — Floppy Disks, Rollerblades and Flare Guns
Hackers, directed by Iain Softley and released on September 15, 1995, stars Johnny Lee Miller and Angelina Jolie and follows a young hacker group that uncovers a large corporate conspiracy; the film is widely noted for its stylized depiction of hacking and its distinct 1990s fashion and tech details.
Background and release details
Hackers was released on September 15, 1995. It was directed by Iain Softley. The film features Johnny Lee Miller as Dade “Crash Override” Murphy and Angelina Jolie as Kate “Acid Burn” Libby.
Plot and main characters
The film centers on Dade Murphy, a talented hacker whose illegal internet activity as a child led to a ban on using computers and “touch-tone phone” systems until his 18th birthday. Once the ban ends, he reconnects with online culture and joins a group of high school hackers.
Together, they uncover a criminal conspiracy involving a villain known in the film as “Mr. The Plague”. The plot includes a fictional virus that, within the story, causes oil tankers to capsize.
Visual style, hacking scenes and tech
The movie presents hacking through bright, trippy computer animations rather than realistic code. These animated sequences often serve as stylized visualizations instead of literal depictions of programming or network activity.
Additionally, the film shows a range of 1990s technology and cultural items: floppy disks, cassette tapes, landline phones, transparent colored plastics around electronics, and magazines. Fashion choices — such as frosted white eyeshadow and cropped tops paired with cargo pants and straps — are prominently featured. Rollerblading appears frequently throughout the movie.
Notable scenes and props
Several set pieces stand out for their visual or narrative quirks. Early in the film, Angelina Jolie’s character fires a flare gun during a confrontation and refers to the weapon as her “subway defense system.”
Another sequence shows the antagonist grabbing an important floppy disk while riding a skateboard alongside a getaway car, then slowing to retrieve it while the protagonist watches. These moments are examples of the film’s blend of action and stylized presentation.
Reception and 30-year legacy
Thirty years after its release, Hackers is often described as a snapshot of 1990s tech culture and fashion. While its technical accuracy has been questioned, the film is noted for its distinctive aesthetic and memorable character handles such as Ramon “Phantom Phreak” Sánchez.
Observers frequently point to the movie as a cultural artifact that captures the era’s visual style and digital anxieties, even when the on-screen technology and hacking sequences prioritize flair over realism.
