Spy-fi (subgenre) explained

Spy-fi is a subgenre of spy fiction that includes elements of science fiction, and is often associated with the Cold War.^{[1] [2] [3] [4] [5]} Features of spy-fi include the effects of technology on the espionage trade and the technological gadgets used by the characters, even though the technologies and gadgets portrayed are well beyond contemporary scientific reality.^[6]

Definition and characteristics

Spy-fi can be defined as media that centers around the adventures of a protagonist (or protagonists) working as a secret agent or a spy. Usually, these adventures will revolve around defeating a rival superpower or singular enemy from achieving a nefarious aim. Content may include themes such as world domination, world destruction, futuristic weapons, and gadgets. Settings vary from outright fantasy, such as outer space or under the sea, to real but exotic locations. Spy-fi does not necessarily present espionage as it is practiced in reality but rather glamorizes spy-craft through its focus on high-tech equipment, agencies, and organizations with nearly limitless resources and incredibly high-stakes adventures.

The spy protagonist may discover in his or her investigation that a mad scientist or evil genius and his secret organization are using futuristic technology to further their schemes.^{[7] [8] [9]} Examples of these include the James Bond film series, the use of advanced scientific technologies for global influence or domination in The Baroness spy novels, using space travel technology to destroy the world as in Kiss the Girls and Make Them Die, weather control in Our Man Flint, using a sonic weapon in Dick Barton Strikes Back, a death ray in Dick Barton at Bay, or replacing world leaders with evil twins in In Like Flint.

Examples

Films and television

• Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (TV series)
• Alias (TV series)
• James Bond (film series)^[10]
• Mission: Impossible (TV series)^[11]
• Austin Powers (film series)^[12]
• The Avengers (TV series)^[13]
• Where on Earth Is Carmen Sandiego? (TV series)
• Spy Kids
• The Man from U.N.C.L.E. (TV series)
• Danger Man (TV series)
• Get Smart (TV series)
• The Prisoner (TV series)
• Matt Helm (film series)
• Face/Off^[14]
• Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow^[15]
• Tenet^{[16] [17]}

Games

• Global Agenda^[18]
• Perfect Dark
• No One Lives Forever
• Invisible Inc.
• I Expect You to Die

See also

• Cross-genre
• Techno-thriller

Notes and References

1. Web site: Spy Fi Shelf . Goodreads.com . 2016-05-03.
2. Book: Danesi. Marcel. Popular Culture: Introductory Perspectives.. 2012. Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Incorporated. Lanham, Md.. 9781442217836. 76. 2nd.
3. Web site: Relive decades of spy-fi with an epic retrospective on James Bonds' sci-fi gadgets . Blastr . 2015-11-06 . 2016-03-13.
4. Web site: Spy-fi is just around the corner . Tor.com . 2009-11-06 . 2016-03-13.
5. Web site: Sexton. Max. Celluloid Television: The Action Adventure Genre of the 1960s. Dandelion. 4 May 2016.
6. Web site: Spyfi . BestScienceFictionBooks.com . 2016-03-24.
7. Web site: MI6-HQ Copyright 2016 . Spies + Spoofs :: MI6 :: The Home Of James Bond 007 . Mi6-hq.com . 2016-03-13.
8. Book: Weiner. Robert G.. Whitfield. B. Lynn. Becker. Jack. James Bond in World and Popular Culture: The Films are Not Enough. 2010. Cambridge Scholars. Newcastle upon Tyne. 978-1443822893. 100. 1. publ..
9. Book: Packer. Jeremy. Secret Agents: Popular Icons Beyond James Bond. 2009. Peter Lang. New York. 978-0820486697. xi. 2 May 2016.
10. Book: Stuller. Jennifer K.. Ink-stained Amazons and Cinematic Warriors: Superwomen in Modern Mythology. 2010. I.B. Tauris & Co.. London. 978-1845119652.
11. Avam. Elizabeth. Hoskin. Dave. TV Eye. Metro Magazine. 2004. 141. 158.
12. Book: Britton. Wesley. Spy Television. 2004. Greenwood Publishing Group. Westport, Conn.. 0275981630.
13. Book: The Incredible World of Spy-fi: Wild and Crazy Spy Gadgets, Props, and Artifacts from TV and the Movies. 2004. Chronicle Books. 081184224X. San Francisco. Biederman. Danny.
14. Web site: 10 Best Spy-Fi Movies of All Time. Anders. Charlie Jane. io9. 7 August 2012 . en-US. 2016-05-18.
15. Web site: Falksen. GD. Spy-fi is just around the corner. Tor.com. November 6, 2009. May 29, 2021.
16. Web site: Sherlock. Ben. Tenet's Ending, Explained. Game Rant. March 11, 2023. November 23, 2023.
17. Web site: Ison. Blake. ‘Tenet’ Ushers in a New Era of “Spy-Fi”. MovieBabble. August 27, 2020. November 23, 2023.
18. Web site: Rossignol . Jim . "Spy-Fi": Global Agenda Footage . . 2009-04-14 . 2017-05-17.