By this I mean there isn't a way to make an analogue of the story in a different, non-magical, genre as there is, say, with a film like Star Wars.

2001 (naturally)
Blade Runner (how could you do Replicants?)
Primer (techie time travel?)

I was thinking The Matrix but in a sense it could just be a prisoner having a lucid dream and then waking up and leading other prisoners in revolt.

Shit thread, sorry.