Mind Trip Movies

From David Fincher, starring Brad Pitt, Edward Norton, Meat Loaf, Zach Grenier
Rated R

Fight Club is a 1999 American drama film directed by David Fincher and starring Brad Pitt, Edward Norton, and Helena Bonham Carter. The film tells the story of an insomniac office worker who, looking for a way to change his life, forms a "fight club" with soap salesman Tyler Durden. The two engage in underground fight clubs in which men are brutally beaten. As the fight club evolves, it transforms into a terrorist organization that stages attacks on corporate America. Through the film, the audience is presented with a critique of the excesses of consumer culture and its resulting effects on the individual. The film has become a cult classic and is considered to be one of the most significant films of the 1990s.

From Christopher Nolan, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Elliot Page, Ken Watanabe
Rated PG-13

Inception is a 2010 science fiction action film written and directed by Christopher Nolan. The film stars Leonardo DiCaprio as a professional thief who is given the task of planting an idea into the mind of a CEO. To do this, he, along with a team of specialists, must create a dream world within the mind of the target, and commit "inception", planting a seed of thought that will grow and manifest itself as the target's own idea. Along the way, the team must navigate the complex subconscious of the target, and face their own inner demons. As the mission intensifies, the line between dream and reality begin to blur, and the stakes become increasingly high for all involved.

From Directors: Lana Wachowski, Lilly Wachowski, starring Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne Moss, Hugo Weaving
Rated R

The Matrix is a 1999 science fiction action film written and directed by the Wachowskis. The film stars Keanu Reeves as Neo, a computer hacker who discovers that the world he lives in is a simulated reality created by intelligent machines in order to subdue the human population. Neo is drawn into a rebellion against the machines, and joins like-minded rebels in their fight to save humanity. With the help of Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne) and Trinity (Carrie-Anne Moss), Neo must face off against the mysterious Agent Smith (Hugo Weaving) and ultimately confront the architects of the Matrix. The Matrix is an innovative exploration of the nature of reality, and a thrilling action movie at the same time.

From Christopher Nolan, starring Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway, Jessica Chastain, Mackenzie Foy
Rated PG-13

Interstellar is a 2014 science fiction epic, written and directed by Christopher Nolan and starring Matthew McConaughey and Anne Hathaway. The story follows a team of space travelers who travel through a wormhole in search of a new home for humanity. As they explore different planets and encounter a variety of obstacles, they come to understand the true power of love and the importance of time. Through their journey, they are also confronted with the consequences of human choices, both good and bad. Ultimately, they must make a fateful decision that will determine the fate of humanity.

From Christopher Nolan, starring Christian Bale, Hugh Jackman, Scarlett Johansson, Michael Caine
Rated PG-13

The Prestige is a 2006 mystery thriller film directed by Christopher Nolan. It follows the rivalry between two Victorian-era magicians Robert Angier and Alfred Borden. The two men become obsessed with one-upping each other in a life-or-death battle to create the ultimate illusion. As they compete against each other, using every trick in the book, their rivalry turns dark, and the consequences become increasingly deadly. The film stars Hugh Jackman, Christian Bale, Michael Caine and Scarlett Johansson, as well as David Bowie and Andy Serkis in supporting roles. In the end, the magicians must confront their own personal demons in order to achieve the ultimate success.

From Christopher Nolan, starring Guy Pearce, Carrie-Anne Moss, Joe Pantoliano, Mark Boone Junior
Rated R

Memento tells the story of Leonard Shelby, a man who suffers from anterograde amnesia, which prevents him from forming new memories. After his wife is murdered, Leonard sets out to avenge her death, but due to his condition, he must create mementos to help him remember his mission. He uses tattoos, polaroid photographs, and notes to help him remember details and clues about the people he meets, as well as the facts of his wife’s murder. As the story unfolds, Leonard is forced to confront the truth about his wife’s death and the mysterious circumstances surrounding it. Memento is a psychological thriller that examines the nature of memory and its relation to identity and truth.

From Todd Phillips, starring Joaquin Phoenix, Robert De Niro, Zazie Beetz, Frances Conroy
Rated R

Joker is a dark and gritty character-driven drama directed by Todd Phillips. Set in Gotham City in 1981, it follows Arthur Fleck, a mentally ill, aspiring stand-up comedian, whose life is made even more difficult by the city's rampant corruption and lack of social services. Despite his best efforts, Arthur's attempts to make a living as a comedian and to connect with people are constantly frustrated. As his life spirals out of control, a series of events leads him to embrace his alter ego - the Joker. As the Joker, Arthur is transformed into a chaotic force of nature, taking on the city's powerful elite and becoming an unlikely champion for the oppressed people of Gotham. With a sharp blend of dark humour and violence, Joker is a compelling and powerful exploration of one man's descent into madness.

From Michel Gondry, starring Jim Carrey, Kate Winslet, Tom Wilkinson, Gerry Robert Byrne
Rated R

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is a 2004 science fiction romantic comedy-drama film directed by Michel Gondry and written by Charlie Kaufman. The film follows the tumultuous relationship of Joel Barish and Clementine Kruczynski as they undergo a procedure to have each other erased from their memories. The film uses techniques such as alternative plot structures and non-linear storytelling to explore themes of love, connection, distress, and memory. The film debuted at the 2004 Sundance Film Festival and was a critical and commercial success, earning numerous accolades, including the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay.

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. The film is set in 1954 and follows U.S. Marshal Teddy Daniels as he investigates the mysterious disappearance of a patient from Shutter Island’s Ashecliffe Hospital, a psychiatric facility located on a remote island off the coast of Massachusetts. Teddy discovers that the hospital’s staff have been conducting experiments on the inmates and that the hospital is connected to the mysterious events of his past. As Teddy delves deeper into the case, his own nightmares and memories begin to haunt him and he struggles to piece together the truth before it is too late.

From Florian Zeller, starring Anthony Hopkins, Olivia Colman, Mark Gatiss, Olivia Williams
Rated PG-13

The Father is a 2020 drama film directed by Florian Zeller, which stars Anthony Hopkins as a man struggling with the complexities of aging and dementia. The story follows Anthony, an 80-year-old man who lives alone in London and whose daughter, Anne, comes to visit him from Paris. Anne is determined to get him to move to Paris to live with her and her fiancé, but Anthony is stubbornly resistant. As Anne's visits become more frequent, however, Anthony begins to struggle with memory loss, confusion, and disorientation, leading to a family crisis. The film explores the heartbreaking realities of aging and the power of familial love, as Anthony and Anne try to come to terms with Anthony's illness and its impact on their relationship.

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

Gone Girl is a 2014 psychological thriller directed by David Fincher. The film follows the story of Nick Dunne (Ben Affleck), whose wife, Amy (Rosamund Pike) has gone missing. Nick soon finds himself the prime suspect in her disappearance and is further implicated by his own lies and strange behavior. As the investigation intensifies, secrets from Nick and Amy's troubled marriage are revealed, and the truth of what happened to Amy becomes increasingly unclear. The film is a suspenseful exploration of modern marriage and its consequences.

From Directors: Dan Kwan, Daniel Scheinert, starring Michelle Yeoh, Stephanie Hsu, Jamie Lee Curtis, Ke Huy Quan
Rated R

Everything Everywhere All at Once is an upcoming 2022 American comedy-drama film directed by Dan Kwan and Daniel Scheinert. The film tells the story of a group of friends who embark on a wild cross-country road trip in search of freedom and self-discovery. Along the way, they come across a series of unexpected events that challenge their beliefs and push them to their limits. The film stars Daveed Diggs, Raquel Castro, and Awkwafina in the leading roles and is set to be released by A24.

From Richard Kelly, starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Jena Malone, Mary McDonnell, Holmes Osborne
Rated R

Donnie Darko is a psychological thriller with a science-fiction twist. Starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Donnie Darko is the story of a troubled teenage boy who, after an encounter with a mysterious figure in a rabbit costume, begins to experience visions of an apocalyptic future. As his world begins to unravel, Donnie must figure out the meaning behind his visions and the dark forces that have taken control of his life. Along the way, he discovers the power of love, family, and friendship. Ultimately, Donnie must confront his own destiny and save the world from destruction.

From Spike Jonze, starring Joaquin Phoenix, Amy Adams, Scarlett Johansson, Rooney Mara
Rated R

Her is a 2013 romantic science fiction drama film written, directed, and produced by Spike Jonze. The film stars Joaquin Phoenix as Theodore Twombly, a heartbroken man in the near future who develops a relationship with Samantha, an intelligent computer operating system (voiced by Scarlett Johansson). The film explores themes of human-technology relationships, isolation, and virtual love. Theodore works as a letter writer for a company, composing heartfelt letters for people who are too busy to write their own. After a painful breakup, he develops an unlikely relationship with Samantha, an artificial intelligence who is designed to meet his every need. The two grow closer, developing a bond that transcends the boundaries of technology. As the relationship deepens, Theodore must confront his fears about love and the unpredictable nature of human connection.

From Doug Liman, starring Tom Cruise, Emily Blunt, Bill Paxton, Brendan Gleeson
Rated PG-13

Edge of Tomorrow is a 2014 science fiction action film directed by Doug Liman. The film stars Tom Cruise as Major William Cage, a soldier who is forced to fight in a war against aliens known as Mimics. Cage is killed in his first battle but finds himself suddenly reliving the same day over and over again. With the help of Rita Vrataski (played by Emily Blunt), a special forces warrior, Cage learns to use his time loop to gain valuable knowledge of the Mimics and their weaknesses. With each successive battle, Cage and Rita become more skilled, eventually discovering a way to end the war and defeat the alien forces.

From Dan Gilroy, starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Rene Russo, Bill Paxton, Riz Ahmed
Rated R

Nightcrawler is a 2014 crime-thriller film directed by Dan Gilroy and starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Rene Russo, and Bill Paxton. The film follows the story of Louis Bloom, a determined and ambitious loner who finds a career as a freelance crime journalist, determined to make a living from capturing horrific footage of crime scenes and accidents. As he becomes more successful, Louis finds himself sinking deeper into a world of moral ambiguity and corruption, as he struggles to balance his ambition and integrity. His relentless pursuit of the truth leads him to cross the line into unethical and dangerous activities, as he discovers the dark side of the news industry. The film was praised for its dark and unsettling atmosphere and compelling story and was a commercial success, earning $50 million worldwide at the box office.

From Jaco Van Dormael, starring Jared Leto, Sarah Polley, Diane Kruger, Linh-Dan Pham
Rated R

Mr. Nobody is a 2009 film by director Jaco Van Dormael that tells the story of Nemo Nobody, an 118-year-old man who is the last mortal on Earth as the rest of humanity has become immortal. Nemo is asked by a group of scientists about his life, and he recounts his many possible pasts, each one involving a different set of choices and outcomes. As Nemo looks back on his life, he wonders what it means to be alive and how he can make sense of his existence. The movie explores themes of love, loss, identity, and the importance of making choices.

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 released in 2017. It follows the story of Chris, a young African-American man who is invited to meet his white girlfriend's parents at their isolated home. After arriving, he soon realizes that something sinister is going on and that he is the intended target. As he attempts to escape, he discovers the family's terrifying secret: they are part of a sinister conspiracy involving hypnotism and the abduction of African-American people for their organs. The film is a critique of racism and the dangers of unchecked privilege, as Chris fights to survive in a world where he is the minority.

From Brad Anderson, starring Christian Bale, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Aitana Sánchez-Gijón, John Sharian
Rated R

The Machinist is a psychological thriller film directed by Brad Anderson in 2004. It follows Trevor Reznik (Christian Bale), a machine operator who suffers from insomnia. As a result of his condition, he has become extremely thin and is losing his grip on reality. He is then haunted by a mysterious figure and begins to suspect that his co-workers are out to get him. In his desperation, he seeks out a prostitute, who may have clues to a past he can’t remember. As the mystery unravels, Trevor discovers the tragic consequences of his insomnia and the dangerous lengths he has gone to in order to escape it.

From Alejandro G. Iñárritu, starring Michael Keaton, Zach Galifianakis, Edward Norton, Andrea Riseborough
Rated R

Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) is a 2014 black comedy directed by Alejandro G. Iñárritu. The film follows Riggan Thomson (Michael Keaton), a washed-up actor who starred in a popular superhero movie decades ago. He attempts to mount a Broadway adaptation of a Raymond Carver short story in order to reclaim his past glory. However, his efforts are hampered by his internal demons, personal insecurities, and the negative influences of those around him. Throughout the film, he struggles with his own sense of identity and the value of his life's work. The film, filled with meta-humor, explores themes of celebrity, mortality, and the role of art in modern society.

From Directors: Eric Bress, J. Mackye Gruber, starring Ashton Kutcher, Amy Smart, Melora Walters, Elden Henson
Rated R

The Butterfly Effect is a 2004 American psychological science fiction thriller film directed by Eric Bress and J. Mackye Gruber. It stars Ashton Kutcher as Evan Treborn, a young man with the ability to travel back in time to alter the present. Through his travels, he discovers that his attempts to change the past have unintended consequences in the present. He finds himself in a race against time to undo the damage he has caused and save the lives of his loved ones. The film also stars Amy Smart, Eric Stoltz, William Lee Scott, and Ethan Suplee. The Butterfly Effect is a thought-provoking exploration into the concept of cause and effect and the potential consequences of our actions.

From Tom Ford, starring Amy Adams, Jake Gyllenhaal, Michael Shannon, Aaron Taylor-Johnson
Rated R

Nocturnal Animals is a psychological thriller directed by Tom Ford and starring Amy Adams, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Michael Shannon. The film follows Susan Morrow, a wealthy art gallery owner, who receives an advance copy of a novel written by her ex-husband, Edward Sheffield. As Susan reads the novel, she is forced to confront the dark secrets of their past, and the film follows the story of the novel in a parallel narrative. Through the novel, Edward forces Susan to confront her neglect and regret from when they were married, and as the novel progresses, it becomes clear that Edward is attempting to use the story to send a message to her. As the two stories converge, Susan is forced to confront her own choices and realize the impact they've had on her life.

From Duncan Jones, starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Michelle Monaghan, Vera Farmiga, Jeffrey Wright
Rated PG-13

Source Code is a sci-fi action thriller directed by Duncan Jones. In the film, US Army pilot Colter Stevens (Jake Gyllenhaal) wakes up to discover that he is part of a military experiment, the Source Code, which allows him to relive the last eight minutes of another man's life in a parallel world. He is tasked with finding the person responsible for planting a bomb on a commuter train in Chicago. In order to do so, he must relive the events repeatedly until he discovers the bomber's identity. As Colter races against time and works to solve the mystery, he discovers the power of his new reality and the potential of his ability to alter the future. Ultimately, he must decide between trying to save the lives of the passengers on the train or those of the people in his own world.

From Directors: Michael Spierig, Peter Spierig, starring Ethan Hawke, Sarah Snook, Noah Taylor, Madeleine West
Rated R

From Directors: Tom Tykwer, Lana Wachowski, Lilly Wachowski, starring Tom Hanks, Halle Berry, Hugh Grant, Hugo Weaving
Rated R