Gaslighting Movies

From Frank Capra, starring James Stewart, Donna Reed, Lionel Barrymore, Thomas Mitchell
Rated PG

It's a Wonderful Life is a classic Christmas-themed film directed by Frank Capra. The story follows George Bailey, a young man who has sacrificed his dreams in order to help his family and his community. When a financial crisis threatens to destroy all that George has built, he begins to contemplate ending his life. It is then that his guardian angel, Clarence, intervenes to show him what the world would have been like if he had never been born. Through the course of this journey, George learns to appreciate the meaningful impact he has had on the people around him and discovers the true joy of life. Ultimately, he finds that it is worth living for the people he loves and the life he has built.

From Stanley Kubrick, starring Jack Nicholson, Shelley Duvall, Danny Lloyd, Scatman Crothers
Rated R

The Shining is a 1980 psychological horror film directed by Stanley Kubrick, based on the novel of the same name by Stephen King. The film follows the Torrance family, Jack (Jack Nicholson), Wendy (Shelley Duvall), and Danny (Danny Lloyd), who move into the isolated Overlook Hotel in the Colorado Mountains. Jack has accepted a job as the winter caretaker of the hotel, hoping to find some peace and quiet to finish his writing. Danny has the "shining", a psychic ability to see into the hotel's horrific past. As the hotel's supernatural forces begin to take control of Jack, Wendy and Danny must try to escape before he destroys them. Jack's inner demons and the hotel's dark secrets lead to a terrifying and suspenseful climax.

From Alfred Hitchcock, starring James Stewart, Kim Novak, Barbara Bel Geddes, Tom Helmore
Rated PG

Vertigo is a psychological thriller directed by Alfred Hitchcock and starring James Stewart and Kim Novak. Stewart plays John "Scottie" Ferguson, a retired police detective suffering from acrophobia, or a fear of heights. When an old college friend, Gavin, hires him to follow his wife, Madeleine, Scottie is drawn into a web of desire, obsession, and ultimately, tragedy. Madeleine has been acting strangely, disappearing and reappearing in different places, and speaking in a strange voice. As Scottie follows her, he falls in love with her and is determined to save her from whatever is haunting her. When she suddenly dies, Scottie's obsession deepens, and he attempts to recreate her in the form of a woman named Judy. What follows is a gripping exploration of love, obsession, and the power of memory.

From Alfred Hitchcock, starring Laurence Olivier, Joan Fontaine, George Sanders, Judith Anderson
Rated Approved

Rebecca is a 1940 film directed by Alfred Hitchcock, based on the novel of the same name by Daphne du Maurier. It stars Laurence Olivier and Joan Fontaine. The story follows a young woman, Mrs. de Winter (Fontaine), who is haunted by the memory of her husband's first wife, Rebecca. Mrs. de Winter is constantly reminded of the glamorous and mysterious Rebecca, who died mysteriously. Mrs. de Winter must overcome her own insecurities and the menacing housekeeper, Mrs. Danvers (Judith Anderson), to try and uncover the truth behind Rebecca's death. Along the way, she is able to find her own strength and identity. With the help of her husband, Maxim de Winter (Olivier), she is able to confront her fears and solve the mystery.

From Ridley Scott, starring Harrison Ford, Rutger Hauer, Sean Young, Edward James Olmos
Rated R

Blade Runner is a science-fiction thriller set in a dystopian future where artificial intelligence has become an integral part of human life. In this future, replicants (bioengineered humanoid robots) are used as cheap and expendable labor. When a group of these replicants escape from an off-world colony, a special police unit known as Blade Runners is tasked with hunting them down and killing them before they can cause further trouble. Harrison Ford stars as Rick Deckard, the Blade Runner assigned to the mission. The story follows Deckard as he hunts down the replicants and discovers the truth about their mysterious origins. Along the way, he is forced to confront his own humanity and the implications of a future where artificial life has become indistinguishable from human life.

From David Fincher, starring Ben Affleck, Rosamund Pike, Neil Patrick Harris, Tyler Perry
Rated R

Gone Girl is a 2014 American psychological thriller film directed by David Fincher and written by Gillian Flynn based on her 2012 novel of the same name. The film stars Ben Affleck, Rosamund Pike, and Neil Patrick Harris. The story follows Nick Dunne (Affleck), who becomes the prime suspect in the sudden disappearance of his wife, Amy Dunne (Pike). The film chronicles the events that occur after the disappearance and how Nick's behaviour and actions lead to further suspicion and a media frenzy. As the police investigation unfolds, Nick's portrait of a blissful union begins to crumble. His lies, deceits and unusual behaviour have everyone wondering whether he is innocent or a cold-hearted murderer. The film explores the nature of relationships, and the effects of those relationships on both parties.

From Paul Thomas Anderson, starring Tom Cruise, Jason Robards, Julianne Moore, Philip Seymour Hoffman
Rated R

Magnolia is a complex and interwoven drama that follows the lives of 9 people living in the San Fernando Valley. Each character is facing a crisis and struggling to come to terms with the fragility of life. These characters' stories are linked together by a mysterious rain of frogs that appears one day, a symbol of the looming chaos and tragedy that will soon ensue. With unforgettable performances by the ensemble cast, Magnolia is a powerful and emotionally charged film that examines love, loss, and the inherent complexity of life.

From Terry Gilliam, starring Bruce Willis, Madeleine Stowe, Brad Pitt, Joseph Melito
Rated R

12 Monkeys is a 1995 science fiction drama directed by Terry Gilliam and starring Bruce Willis and Brad Pitt. The film is set in a post-apocalyptic future in which a deadly virus has wiped out most of humanity. In order to find a cure, scientists from the future send James Cole (Willis) back in time to prevent the virus from being released. Cole must find the elusive Army of the Twelve Monkeys in order to locate the virus and save the future of the human race. Along the way he meets mental patient Jeffrey Goines (Pitt) and finds himself embroiled in a mystery that spans time and space. As he unravels the mystery, Cole discovers that the future is not what it seems and that the past may hold the key to saving the world.

From George Cukor, starring Charles Boyer, Ingrid Bergman, Joseph Cotten, May Whitty
Rated Passed

Gaslight is a 1944 MGM film directed by George Cukor, starring Charles Boyer, Ingrid Bergman, and Angela Lansbury. It follows the story of newlywed Paula Alquist (Bergman) who has recently moved to London with her new, mysterious husband, Gregory Anton (Boyer). As Anton slowly manipulates her mind, Paula begins to doubt her own sanity. In an attempt to drive her insane, he dims the gaslight in their home, claiming it is her imagination. Eventually, Paula discovers the truth about her husband and his motives, and she seeks help from the police. With the help of the Scotland Yard Inspector (Joseph Cotten), Paula is able to uncover the truth and prove her sanity. In the end, Paula confronts her husband and is vindicated.

From Spike Jonze, starring John Cusack, Cameron Diaz, Catherine Keener, John Malkovich
Rated R

"Being John Malkovich" is a surreal and darkly comic film about an unemployed puppeteer named Craig Schwartz (John Cusack) who takes a job as a filing clerk in an office building on the 7 1/2th floor. While there he discovers a portal into the mind of actor John Malkovich (John Malkovich). Craig, his wife Lotte (Cameron Diaz), and his co-worker Maxine (Catherine Keener) each take advantage of the portal for their own gain, leading to unexpected and far-reaching consequences. In this bizarre world, Craig learns to find his own identity and discovers love in a most unexpected way.

From Jordan Peele, starring Daniel Kaluuya, Allison Williams, Bradley Whitford, Catherine Keener
Rated R

Get Out is a horror-thriller film directed by Jordan Peele and written by Peele and starring Daniel Kaluuya, Allison Williams, Bradley Whitford, and Catherine Keener. The film follows African-American photographer Chris Washington (Kaluuya) as he visits his Caucasian girlfriend Rose Armitage's (Williams) family estate for the weekend. He soon discovers that the Armitages are part of an evil cult-like group of white people who use black people's bodies as vessels for their own conscious. Chris finds himself in a fight for survival as he attempts to escape the Armitage's demented plans. In the process, he unravels the unsettling and horrific truths about the family and the world around him.

From Mike Newell, starring Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, Eric Sykes
Rated PG-13

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire is the fourth installment of the Harry Potter film series, directed by Mike Newell and based on the novel by J.K. Rowling. In this installment, Harry Potter is chosen as a Hogwarts champion to compete in the Triwizard Tournament, a dangerous magical contest. Along with competing in the tournament, Harry must battle a new enemy, Lord Voldemort, who is close to regaining his strength. He must also face the dangers of the tournament, including dragons, mermaids, and magical tasks. With help from his friends Ron and Hermione, Harry embarks on a thrilling adventure as he faces the ultimate showdown with Lord Voldemort.

From Steven Spielberg, starring Richard Dreyfuss, François Truffaut, Teri Garr, Melinda Dillon
Rated PG

Close Encounters of the Third Kind is a classic science fiction/mystery film directed by Steven Spielberg. It follows the story of a group of people who experience close encounters with alien life forms. After a series of odd occurrences, an electrical lineman and a group of scientists investigate a nearby mountain where they come in contact with a UFO. Through a series of events, they discover a secret government project and a landing site for aliens, leading to the ultimate encounter of a lifetime. The film is both thrilling and thought-provoking, exploring ideas of government secrecy and the possibility of life in outer space.

From Taylor Hackford, starring Keanu Reeves, Al Pacino, Charlize Theron, Jeffrey Jones
Rated R

The Devil's Advocate is a 1997 American supernatural horror-thriller film directed by Taylor Hackford, starring Keanu Reeves, Al Pacino, and Charlize Theron. The plot follows a young lawyer (Reeves) who discovers that his employer is the devil himself (Pacino). He is offered a chance to gain the world's riches and power, with the ultimate price being his soul. As he struggles with his morality and the increasing evil around him, he is forced to confront his inner demons and accept his dark fate. Ultimately, he must decide between his aspirations and his soul—and, ultimately, his very life.

From Ridley Scott, starring Susan Sarandon, Geena Davis, Harvey Keitel, Michael Madsen
Rated R

Thelma & Louise is a 1991 American road movie directed by Ridley Scott and written by Callie Khouri. It stars Geena Davis as Thelma and Susan Sarandon as Louise, two friends who embark on a road trip with disastrous consequences. After Thelma experiences a traumatic event at a bar, Louise decides to take matters into her own hands and the two flee in Louise’s 1966 Ford Thunderbird convertible. Along the way, they experience a series of adventures and misadventures that take them across the Southwest United States. In the end, they are forced to make an irrevocable decision that will change their lives forever. The film is an exploration of female empowerment and friendship, as the two women grow closer and more confident in their own abilities as they push past the boundaries of society.

From Tim Burton, starring Alec Baldwin, Geena Davis, Michael Keaton, Annie McEnroe
Rated PG

Beetlejuice is a 1988 American comedy fantasy film directed by Tim Burton, starring Michael Keaton, Alec Baldwin, Geena Davis, Winona Ryder, and Catherine O'Hara. The plot follows a recently deceased couple (Baldwin and Davis) who become ghosts haunting their former home, and an obnoxious, devious ghost named Betelgeuse (Keaton) from the "Neitherworld" who tries to scare away the new inhabitants (Ryder and Jeffrey Jones). In an attempt to scare away the family, the ghosts enlist Betelgeuse's help, but they soon regret it. After screwing up a number of attempts to scare the family away, Betelgeuse is ultimately successful in being banished back to the Neitherworld. The film was a critical and commercial success, grossing over $73 million from a budget of $15 million, and won the Academy Award for Best Makeup and Hairstyling.

From John Landis, starring Eddie Murphy, Dan Aykroyd, Ralph Bellamy, Don Ameche
Rated R

Trading Places is a 1983 American comedy film directed by John Landis and starring Dan Aykroyd and Eddie Murphy. The plot follows the ups and downs of two wealthy men, Randolph and Mortimer Duke, who use a bet to decide whether a street hustler (Murphy) or a commodities broker (Aykroyd) would make the better stock trader. In the end, the hustler wins, and the Dukes are ruined. Along the way, the hustler and the broker must both adjust to their changing situations and find ways to outwit the Dukes. The film also features Jamie Lee Curtis and Denholm Elliott and has since become a cult classic.

From Brian De Palma, starring Sissy Spacek, Piper Laurie, Amy Irving, John Travolta
Rated R

From Chad Stahelski, starring Keanu Reeves, Riccardo Scamarcio, Ian McShane, Ruby Rose
Rated R

From Daniel Alfredson, starring Michael Nyqvist, Noomi Rapace, Lena Endre, Annika Hallin
Rated R

From Mark Pellington, starring Jeff Bridges, Tim Robbins, Joan Cusack, Hope Davis
Rated R

From Jaume Balagueró, starring Luis Tosar, Marta Etura, Alberto San Juan, Petra Martínez
Rated Not Rated

From Dan Trachtenberg, starring John Goodman, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, John Gallagher Jr., Douglas M. Griffin
Rated PG-13

From Paul Verhoeven, starring Isabelle Huppert, Laurent Lafitte, Anne Consigny, Charles Berling
Rated R

From Tom Holland, starring Chris Sarandon, William Ragsdale, Amanda Bearse, Roddy McDowall
Rated R