mechanical futility

His masterpiece 'Modern Times' depicts the dehumanizing futility of industrial mechanization through the iconic Tramp caught in factory machinery.

In 'Metropolis', Lang explores the mechanical dystopia where workers are enslaved by an oppressive machine-driven system that perpetuates social futility.

His body horror films like 'Videodrome' and 'eXistenZ' examine the disturbing futility of human consciousness trapped within mechanical and technological systems.