"A Space Odyssey terrifies me as no other horror film ever has." It's a tribute to 2001: A Space Odyssey's greatness that it's still considered the best science fiction picture ever filmed. That's a big assertion, but there's no doubting the subsequent change in sci-fi cinema. With its use of space as a setting and metaphor for humanity's existential crisis, 2001: A Space Odyssey introduced the idea of the "Space Opera" movie - a grand story set in outer space. It also has elements of horror. The most obvious is the fact that everything in the film happens to Dr. Heywood R. Floyd (Keir Dullea), including his death. But there are others aspects of fear included too; such as the mystery surrounding the monolith, the terror associated with being lost in space, and the threat of madness. In conclusion, 2001: A Space Odyssey is a science fiction film that uses drama and horror to demonstrate the human condition after man has become aware of his own existence.