Ready Player One, directed by Steven Spielberg and released in 2018, is a sci-fi adventure film set in a dystopian future where people escape their harsh reality by entering the OASIS, a virtual reality world. The movie stars Tye Sheridan as Wade Watts (Parzival) and Olivia Cooke as Art3mis (Samantha). Upon its release, it received a mix of praise and criticism; audiences enjoyed the film's visual effects, nostalgic references, and energetic pace, while some critics found its story predictable and overly reliant on '80s pop culture nods. Over time, Ready Player One has maintained a solid fanbase appreciative of its imaginative world and its celebration of geek culture. While not universally hailed as a cult classic, it is often regarded as an underrated gem by fans who appreciate its adventurous spirit and visual spectacle, though some see it as somewhat dated given its dependence on nostalgia tied to a specific era.