Some scars never heal

Many thousands of years in the future, Earth’s cities roam the globe on huge wheels, devouring each other in a struggle for ever diminishing resources. On one of these massive traction cities, the old London, Tom Natsworthy has an unexpected encounter with a mysterious young woman from the wastelands who will change the course of his life forever.
Mortal Engines keeps every mind human — it fights its subject at zero distance. The story fights on E13/E8 of the E0–E14 reality ladder, compressing class, power, technology, environment, prejudice.
Films fighting at the same level of reality, about the same things.
Jupiter Ascending (2015)E8/E13 · rare rung · class, power
Underworld: Awakening (2012)E8/E13 · rare rung · power, prejudice
Planet of the Apes (1968)E8/E13 · rare rung · class, power
Super Mario Bros. (1993)E8/E13 · rare rung · class, power
Ratchet & Clank (2016)E8/E13 · rare rung · environment, power
The Dark Crystal (1982)E13 · rare rung · environment, powerThe same preoccupations examined at another scale — one mind versus a nation.
Godzilla vs. Hedorah (1971)E7/E10 · rare rung · environment, power
Frozen II (2019)E7/E9/E10 · rare rung · environment, prejudice
Wolfwalkers (2020)E7/E9/E10 · rare rung · environment, power
Blade II (2002)E4/E10 · rare rung · power, prejudice
Ultraviolet (2006)E4/E11 · rare rung · power, prejudice
Dr. Dolittle 2 (2001)E7/E9 · rare rung · environment, powerOther films that change a standing rule of their world — ranked first by those bending it at the same rung.
Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984)alters at E7 · same rung · rigorous
KPop Demon Hunters (2025)alters at E7 · same rung · loose
Dragon Ball Z: The Tree of Might (1990)alters at E7 · same rung · loose
Cold Skin (2017)alters at E7 · same rung · loose
The Day After Tomorrow (2004)alters at E7 · same rung · loose
Moana (2016)alters at E7 · same rung · rigorous