Tomorrow Never Dies remains one of the most prescient Bond movies because its central threat feels completely plausible. Elliot Carver’s manipulation of global events for ratings and market dominance is a manufactured reality that gives him great power and influence. His orchestration of conflict between the United Kingdom and China in the South China Sea is maniacal, yet he gleefully refers to “playing” with Tomorrow’s tragic headlines to describe the event. He’s one sick puppy.

In an era defined by social media influence, media conglomerate consolidation, and algorithm driven outrage, the movie’s premise feels less fantastical and more realistic. The idea that a powerful media figure could inflame geopolitical tensions for profit does not strain credibility in the least bit. A James Bond movie plot has never aged so well as that of Tomorrow Never Dies, and no other storyline feels quite as tempting to revisit in a future installment.