Hailed as one of the standout science fiction films of the 21st century, “Children of Men” is now available for viewing on BBC iPlayer, but fans will need to be quick as it won’t be around for long.

The 2006 dystopian thriller, co-written and directed by the visionary Alfonso Cuarón, has been celebrated as a ‘masterpiece’ by aficionados of the genre.

Adapted from PD James’ novel penned in 1992, the film’s narrative unfolds in a 2027 London, depicting a society teetering on the edge of collapse due to widespread infertility.

Featuring an all-star cast including Clive Owen, Julianne Moore, Michael Caine, Charlie Hunnam, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and Pam Ferris, “Children of Men” garnered widespread critical acclaim at its release.

Boasting an impressive 92 per cent rating on Rotten Tomatoes, the film earned three Oscar nominations – Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Cinematography, and Best Film Editing – and was also up for three BAFTAs, taking home the awards for Best Cinematography and Best Production Design, reports the Daily Record.

Despite underperforming at the box office with earnings of roughly $70million against a $76m budget, the film’s critical success was undeniable.

Critics have lavished praise on Cuarón, with one remarking: “A film that has much to recommend it, not least the proof it offers, as if any more were needed, that Alfonso Cuarón is one of the most visually inspired directors working today,” and another stating: “Alfonso Cuarón proves again what a versatile and talented director he is.”

Critics and audiences alike have been captivated by “Children of Men,” with one reviewer stating: “Children of Men feels more relevant than almost every film set in the present day and is better than almost every other film made this year,” and another adding: “You feel as if you’re accompanying a war photographer who’s lost a bet. Slogging unflinchingly through humanity’s worst hours, the movie laces the narrative’s forays into science-fiction grandstanding with a gut-wrenching dynamic.”

Viewers were equally mesmerised, with comments such as: “Under the stunning direction of Alfonso Cuarón, Children of Men is a beautifully shot (fantastic one-take action sequences), incredibly acted and layered thriller that is packed with emotional depth and continuous suspense. There were a couple of elements that could have been handled with a little bit more flair, but all in all, this was a brilliant and hugely compelling film.”

The film’s enduring appeal is noted by another fan who says: “Alfonso Cuarón’s dystopian vision of a world where women have stopped getting pregnant, and society is falling into despair in the absence of hope for the future, has lost none of its power from its original release – and is perhaps rightly now regarded as one of the best films of its era.”

One critic noted: “That it manages to be so prescient, so unflinchingly clear-eyed about the mess we’re in, and still provide some genuine hope is remarkable. Truly standing the test of time nearly twenty years on, this looks set to remain one for future generations to revisit and mine for inspiration and insight.”

Another reviewer praised: “This is an extraordinary artistic breakthrough from a Mexican director who was already fearlessly good to begin with.”