Mental Institution Movie

From Frank Darabont, starring Tim Robbins, Morgan Freeman, Bob Gunton, William Sadler
Rated R

The Shawshank Redemption is a 1994 American drama film written and directed by Frank Darabont, based on the 1982 Stephen King novella Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption. It tells the story of banker Andy Dufresne (played by Tim Robbins), who is sentenced to life in Shawshank State Penitentiary for the murder of his wife and her lover, despite his claims of innocence. During his time at Shawshank, Andy befriends Ellis "Red" Redding (played by Morgan Freeman), an inmate who helps him to secure various privileges from the prison guards, and eventually helps him to plan a daring escape from the prison. Along the way, Andy is also able to secure a large library for the prisoners, and works to help his fellow inmates with their financial affairs. The film explores themes of hope, justice, and freedom, as Andy is able to find his freedom and reclaim his innocence after years of wrongfully being imprisoned.

From Milos Forman, starring Jack Nicholson, Louise Fletcher, Michael Berryman, Peter Brocco
Rated R

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest is a 1975 American drama film directed by Miloš Forman, based on the 1962 novel of the same name by Ken Kesey. It stars Jack Nicholson as Randle McMurphy, a criminal who feigns mental illness to serve his sentence in a psychiatric hospital instead of prison. While there, he clashes with the tyrannical Nurse Ratched and rallies the other patients to rebel against the oppressive hospital rules. The film was widely acclaimed, winning five Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Actor (Nicholson), Best Actress (Louise Fletcher), Best Director (Forman), and Best Adapted Screenplay (Lawrence Hauben and Bo Goldman). It was nominated for five more, including Best Supporting Actress (Sally Field) and Best Supporting Actor (Brad Dourif). The film also won numerous other awards, including the Golden Globe Award for Best Motion Picture in 1975. Today, it is widely considered a classic of the New Hollywood era.

From Jonathan Demme, starring Jodie Foster, Anthony Hopkins, Lawrence A. Bonney, Kasi Lemmons
Rated R

The Silence of the Lambs is a psychological horror-thriller film released in 1991 and directed by Jonathan Demme. The film follows Clarice Starling, an FBI trainee, as she attempts to solve the serial murders of young women by an enigmatic and brilliant serial killer known as "Buffalo Bill". To gain insight into Bill's mind, Clarice seeks help from Dr. Hannibal Lecter, an incarcerated cannibalistic serial killer. As Clarice's investigation progresses, she and Lecter form an uneasy alliance which eventually leads to the capture of Buffalo Bill. The film is a thrilling exploration of the macabre and the depths of human depravity. It won multiple Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director for Demme.

From Frank Darabont, starring Tom Hanks, Michael Clarke Duncan, David Morse, Bonnie Hunt
Rated R

The Green Mile is a 1999 drama film directed by Frank Darabont, based on Stephen King's 1996 novel of the same name. Set in 1935 on Death Row in a Louisiana prison, the film stars Tom Hanks as Paul Edgecomb and Michael Clarke Duncan as John Coffey, two inmates on death row who develop a profound, spiritual bond in the months leading up to Coffey's execution. Edgecomb and the other guards on the Mile witness Coffey's miraculous healing of a fellow inmate, creating a dilemma for Edgecomb, who must choose between justice and mercy. Meanwhile, Coffey reveals to Edgecomb the details of his supernatural powers, and the two form a friendship that transcends their circumstances. In the end, Edgecomb decides to help Coffey escape, sacrificing his own career in the process. The Green Mile is a powerful story of courage, compassion, and friendship.

From Martin Scorsese, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Emily Mortimer, Mark Ruffalo, Ben Kingsley
Rated R

"Shutter Island" is a psychological thriller directed by Martin Scorsese and starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Mark Ruffalo, Ben Kingsley and Max von Sydow. It is based on the novel of the same name by Dennis Lehane. The film follows U.S. Marshal Teddy Daniels (DiCaprio) as he is sent to Shutter Island, a remote Massachusetts island, to investigate the disappearance of a patient from a hospital for the criminally insane. Upon arriving, Teddy discovers that the hospital staff and inmates seem to be keeping secrets, and some of the staff are not who they appear to be. Teddy is forced to confront his own dark past as he attempts to uncover the truth behind the mysterious disappearance. As the mystery unfolds and the shocking truth is revealed, Teddy is forced to confront his own demons and decides that the only way out of Shutter Island is to confront them head-on.

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

12 Monkeys is a 1995 science-fiction film directed by Terry Gilliam and starring Bruce Willis, Brad Pitt, and Madeleine Stowe. The movie follows the journey of James Cole (Willis), a convict from the year 2035 sent back in time to the year 1996 to stop the release of a deadly virus that was unleashed in the future, wiping out most of humanity. Through his mission, Cole must confront his own personal demons and unravel the secrets of a mysterious organization known as the "Army of the 12 Monkeys". Along the way, he meets a brilliant and troubled psychiatrist (Stowe) and a mental patient named Jeffrey Goines (Pitt) who may hold the key to the virus's origin. In his pursuit of the truth, Cole must confront his own terror and insanity and ultimately, find the strength to save the future.

From Franklin J. Schaffner, starring Steve McQueen, Dustin Hoffman, Victor Jory, Don Gordon
Rated R

Papillon is a 1973 American biographical prison drama film directed by Franklin J. Schaffner, based on the best-selling autobiography by the French convict Henri Charrière. The film stars Steve McQueen as Henri "Papillon" Charrière and Dustin Hoffman as Louis Dega. It follows Charrière's many escapes from French Guiana's notorious penal colony and his numerous recaptures. In the film, Charrière and Dega form a bond of friendship that enables them to survive the harsh conditions of the prison. The film is noted for its stunning visuals, lush soundtrack, and powerful performances. Papillon has become a classic of prison cinema, and is widely considered to be one of the greatest films of all time.

From Jacques Audiard, starring Tahar Rahim, Niels Arestrup, Adel Bencherif, Reda Kateb
Rated R

A Prophet is a 2009 French crime drama film written and directed by Jacques Audiard about an Arab-French convict who rises to power in the Corsican mafia. The film follows the story of young Malik El Djebena (Tahar Rahim), an illiterate 19-year-old of North African descent who is sentenced to six years in prison for attacking police officers. In prison, Malik quickly learns the ropes of the prison world and soon becomes an invaluable asset to César Luciani (Niels Arestrup), the aging boss of the Corsican mafia. After winning the trust of César, Malik is tasked with a number of missions that grant him more power and money within the prison and the mob. As Malik works his way up the ranks, he comes face-to-face with the realities of his newfound power and must struggle to survive in a ruthless criminal underworld. Throughout his journey, Malik must also confront his own personal demons and the choices he has to make in order to find his own freedom.

From Oliver Hirschbiegel, starring Moritz Bleibtreu, Christian Berkel, Oliver Stokowski, Wotan Wilke Möhring
Rated R

The Experiment is a psychological thriller about a social experiment gone wrong. Twenty male volunteers are chosen to take part in an experiment where they will assume the roles of guards and prisoners in a simulated prison environment. The experiment is overseen by a team of psychologists who are out to prove that any normal person can become cruel if placed in a position of authority. However, the guards quickly begin to take their roles too far and the prisoners experience psychological torture. As the experiment spirals out of control, the participants must confront the darkness of their own souls and the consequences of their actions.

From Steve McQueen, starring Stuart Graham, Laine Megaw, Brian Milligan, Liam McMahon
Rated Not Rated

Hunger is a British-Irish historical drama directed by Steve McQueen. The film is based on the 1981 Irish hunger strike, led by Bobby Sands. It follows a month in the life of Sands, an Irish Republican Army prisoner, as he stages a hunger strike to protest the mistreatment of IRA prisoners by the British government. It examines the physical and psychological effects of Sands' hunger strike on both himself and his supporters, and the passionate and violent reaction it prompts from his adversaries. It also looks at the human cost of civil disobedience and violence in the Irish struggle for independence.

From Philip Kaufman, starring Geoffrey Rush, Kate Winslet, Joaquin Phoenix, Michael Caine
Rated R

From David Mackenzie, starring Jack O'Connell, Ben Mendelsohn, Rupert Friend, Sam Spruell
Rated Not Rated

From Angelina Jolie, starring Jack O'Connell, Miyavi, Domhnall Gleeson, Garrett Hedlund
Rated PG-13

From Yorgos Lanthimos, starring Colin Farrell, Rachel Weisz, Jessica Barden, Olivia Colman
Rated R

From S. Craig Zahler, starring Vince Vaughn, Jennifer Carpenter, Don Johnson, Udo Kier
Rated Not Rated

From Nicolas Winding Refn, starring Tom Hardy, Kelly Adams, Luing Andrews, Katy Barker
Rated R

From Rod Lurie, starring Robert Redford, James Gandolfini, Mark Ruffalo, Steve Burton
Rated R

From Jean-Stéphane Sauvaire, starring Joe Cole, Cherry Miko, Vithaya Pansringarm, Panya Yimmumphai
Rated R

From Gore Verbinski, starring Dane DeHaan, Jason Isaacs, Mia Goth, Ivo Nandi
Rated R

From Mathieu Kassovitz, starring Halle Berry, Penélope Cruz, Robert Downey Jr., Charles S. Dutton
Rated R