Mindtrip Movies

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

Fight Club is a 1999 American film directed by David Fincher, based on the 1996 novel of the same name by Chuck Palahniuk. The film follows an unnamed narrator, played by Edward Norton, who is discontented with his white-collar job. He forms a "fight club" with soap maker Tyler Durden, played by Brad Pitt, and they are joined by men who also want to fight recreationally. The narrator becomes embroiled in a relationship with Durden and a dissolute woman, Marla Singer, played by Helena Bonham Carter. The fight club's violence escalates and it eventually becomes a cult-like group, with Durden as its leader. The narrator begins to lose his identity and sense of reality. The film's climax focuses on a Project Mayhem, an anarchist group led by Durden and its plans to destroy symbols of consumer culture. In the end, the narrator chooses to commit suicide and destroys the project. Fight Club received positive reviews from critics and was a box office success. It has since developed a cult following and has become one of the most acclaimed films of the 1990s. The film's critical and commercial success has been attributed to its themes of consumerism, masculinity, and nihilism, which

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

Inception is a science fiction action film written, produced, and directed by Christopher Nolan. Starring Leonardo DiCaprio as Dom Cobb, the film follows Cobb and a team of specialists who implant an idea into the mind of a corporate rival. The team, which includes Arthur (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), Eames (Tom Hardy), Ariadne (Ellen Page), Saito (Ken Watanabe), and Yusuf (Dileep Rao), must navigate the complexities of the human subconscious in order to accomplish their goal. As the dream levels get deeper, the risks become greater, and the team must find a way out of the dream before the dreamers wake up. In a thrilling conclusion, Cobb must choose between his dream and his reality.

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 directed by Lana and Lilly Wachowski. It stars Keanu Reeves as Neo, a computer programmer who is drawn into a rebellion against the machines who have created a simulated reality known as the Matrix. Along the way, Neo discovers that the Matrix is actually a simulated reality created by intelligent machines in order to enslave the human race and harvest their energy. With the help of a group of rebels, Neo learns to manipulate the Matrix and, ultimately, to break free from its control. In the process, he discovers the true power of choice and learns to fight for freedom. The Matrix revolutionizes the action genre, combining groundbreaking special effects with philosophical musings about the nature of reality and the power of choice.

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

Interstellar follows the story of a group of explorers led by ex-NASA pilot Cooper (Matthew McConaughey). After Earth has been devastated by environmental disasters, Cooper and his team venture through a newly discovered wormhole in search of a new home for humanity. Along the way, they face extreme physical and mental challenges as they attempt to save the human race and find a way back home. With the help of his daughter Murph (Mackenzie Foy), Cooper manages to uncover the secrets of a mysterious interstellar space-time continuum and use it to save humanity. Along the way, they also discover a mysterious and powerful artificial intelligence known as TARS (voiced by Bill Irwin). The story is a journey of discovery, of hope, and a celebration of the human spirit.

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

The Prestige is a 2006 mystery thriller directed by Christopher Nolan and starring Christian Bale, Hugh Jackman, and Michael Caine. The story follows two rival magicians, Alfred Borden (Bale) and Robert Angier (Jackman), as they battle to create the ultimate stage illusion. After a tragic accident during a performance, the two men develop a bitter rivalry and each attempts to outdo the other with increasingly elaborate and dangerous tricks. As their rivalry intensifies, they go to greater and more dangerous lengths to outwit each other, with devastating consequences. The film explores themes of obsession, deception, and the dark side of showmanship, ultimately leading to a climactic showdown.

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

Memento is a psychological thriller directed by Christopher Nolan. It tells the story of Leonard Shelby, a former insurance investigator, whose short-term memory has been damaged following a traumatic accident. He is on a mission to find his wife’s murderer and uses a system of Polaroid photographs and notes written on his body to help him remember his investigation. As the film unravels, what first appears to be a simple act of revenge turns out to be a complex game of deception and manipulation. As Leonard's memory deteriorates, he is forced to confront his own identity and moral code, while uncovering the truth behind his wife's death.

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

Joker is a 2019 American psychological thriller film directed by Todd Phillips, who co-wrote the screenplay with Scott Silver. The film, based on DC Comics characters, stars Joaquin Phoenix as the Joker and provides a broader look at Arthur Fleck, a failed stand-up comedian whose descent into insanity and nihilism inspires a violent revolution against the wealthy in a decaying Gotham City. Fleck's deteriorating mental state brings him into conflict with Thomas Wayne, Gotham's mayor, as well as with Murray Franklin, a late-night talk show host. The film also stars Robert De Niro, Zazie Beetz, Frances Conroy, Brett Cullen, Marc Maron, Bill Camp, Shea Whigham, and Glenn Fleshler. Joker received critical acclaim and became a box office success, grossing over $1 billion, making it the highest-grossing R-rated film of all time. It earned numerous accolades, including 11 nominations at the 92nd Academy Awards, becoming the first comic book-based film to receive a Best Picture nomination.

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

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is a 2004 romantic science fiction drama written by Charlie Kaufman and directed by Michel Gondry. The film follows a couple, Joel Barish (Jim Carrey) and Clementine Kruczynski (Kate Winslet), as they undergo a procedure to erase their memories of each other. As the procedure begins, Joel begins to re-experience his relationship with Clementine, and realizes he still loves her. He decides to try to keep her in his memory. The film follows their journey as they struggle to regain their lost love. Along the way, they must confront the things that drove them apart in the first place. Through a combination of flashbacks, dream sequences, and physical reality, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind paints a portrait of the destructiveness of love, and the impossibility of forgetting it.

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

Shutter Island is a psychological thriller set in 1954. U.S. Marshal Teddy Daniels is sent to Shutter Island, an isolated hospital for the criminally insane, to investigate the mysterious disappearance of an inmate. As Teddy investigates, he begins to uncover a sinister plot involving the hospital staff and a patient, Dr. Cawley, who is hiding a dark secret. Along the way, Teddy must face his own demons, including post-traumatic stress from his service in World War II, as well as the shocking truths that threaten to tear apart his world.

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

The Father is a 2020 drama directed by Florian Zeller, starring Anthony Hopkins and Olivia Colman. It is the story of Anthony, an 80-year-old man who is struggling with the onset of dementia, and is no longer able to remember the things he holds closest to him, including the faces of his daughter and her husband. As his condition progresses, Anthony increasingly becomes disoriented and confused, leading to conflicts with those close to him, especially his daughter, Anne. In an effort to keep Anthony safe and comfortable, Anne is forced to make difficult decisions about his care and future. Through this story of love and loss, The Father explores the heartbreaking realities of life with dementia, and the power of connection between family members in the face of life's greatest challenges.

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 and based on the novel of the same name by Gillian Flynn. The film centers on Nick Dunne (Ben Affleck), whose wife Amy (Rosamund Pike) suddenly goes missing on their fifth wedding anniversary. The media and the public immediately suspect Nick of her disappearance, and as the investigation continues, more and more evidence appears to incriminate him. As pressure mounts and the mystery surrounding Amy's disappearance deepens, Nick finds himself in an increasingly desperate situation. As the story unfolds, the truth about what happened to Amy and the secrets Nick is hiding are slowly revealed.

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 a 2022 American comedy-drama film directed by Dan Kwan and Daniel Scheinert and starring Chris Pine, Zoe Saldana, and Benjamin Walker. The film follows Jaxon (Pine), an aimless young man who wakes up in a hospital bed with mysterious powers. With the help of his doctor (Saldana) and a group of friends, Jaxon embarks on a journey to discover the origin of his newfound abilities and use them to save the world. Along the way, they must fend off a sinister government agency that wants to capture Jaxon and use his powers for their own sinister agenda. With the help of his newfound friends, Jaxon will learn to master his newfound powers and ultimately save the world from destruction.

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

Donnie Darko is a psychological thriller/sci-fi film directed and written by Richard Kelly. The story follows Donnie (Jake Gyllenhaal), a troubled teenager living in a suburban town who has visions of a giant, manipulative rabbit named Frank. Donnie soon learns that the world is in danger and only he can save it. He embarks on a mission to correct various temporal paradoxes, preventing the world from being destroyed by a mysterious jet engine crash. Along the way, Donnie discovers the truth about his family and relationships, as well as the power of time and its effects on his mental health. The film is filled with surreal imagery and dark humor, exploring themes of fate, free will, and teenage rebellion.

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

Her is a romantic science fiction drama film written, directed, and produced by Spike Jonze. The film follows Theodore Twombly, a complex, introverted man who develops a relationship with an intelligent computer operating system (OS) with a female voice, Samantha. Set in Los Angeles in the near future, Theodore purchases a talking OS with artificially intelligent features, such as the ability to learn about its user, to grow, and to help him in his daily life. As Theodore and Samantha's relationship progresses, they grow closer and begin to fall in love. Theodore struggles to cope with his feelings, which are complicated by the fact that Samantha is a computer program. With a strong supporting cast, the film explores the relationship between man and machine and the implications of artificial intelligence.

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

Edge of Tomorrow is an action-packed sci-fi thriller set in the near future. Major William Cage (Tom Cruise) is an officer in the United Defense Force who is tasked with leading a last-ditch effort against a relentless alien invasion. After a failed attack, Cage is forced to relive the same day over and over again, with the battle and his fate becoming more and more uncertain with each passing loop. With the help of a highly-skilled special forces soldier (Emily Blunt), Cage must find a way to break the cycle and achieve victory against the aliens. Along the way, he discovers a newfound respect for life and the courage to fight for his own survival.

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

Nightcrawler is a 2014 American thriller film written and directed by Dan Gilroy. The film stars Jake Gyllenhaal as Louis Bloom, a young man living in Los Angeles who stumbles upon the underground world of freelance crime journalism. Bloom starts taking more risks to get footage of crime scenes, accidents, and other violent events for his own news channel, becoming increasingly desperate and violent as he attempts to gain a competitive edge over other freelance journalists. With the help of a local news director (Rene Russo), Bloom finds himself on a dangerous path as he begins to blur the line between observer and participant in the violent events he is filming.

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

Mr. Nobody is a science fiction drama film written and directed by Jaco Van Dormael, and starring Jared Leto, Sarah Polley, Diane Kruger, and Linh Dan Pham. The film follows the story of Nemo Nobody, a 118-year-old man who is the last mortal on Earth after the human race has achieved quasi-immortality. Due to the advances in science, humanity can now choose how to age—either stop at a certain stage and live forever or continue aging until death. Nemo is stuck in the decision-making process, and as he grapples with his mortality, he drifts between alternate lives and timelines, exploring the different paths he could have taken and the consequences of his choices. The film explores the concept of free will and how it affects the lives of those around us, and ultimately, the choices we make shape our destiny. Mr. Nobody has won universal acclaim from critics, who praised its originality and visual effects. The film earned multiple awards and nominations, including a BAFTA Award for Outstanding Special Visual Effects and has been included in multiple lists of the best science fiction films of the 21st century.

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

Get Out is a horror/comedy directed by Jordan Peele. It follows Chris (Daniel Kaluuya), a young African American man who visits his white girlfriend's family estate. While initially warm and welcoming, Chris soon discovers a sinister secret behind their hospitality. Through a series of increasingly disturbing discoveries, he learns that he is the latest in a long line of victims of a secret society that kidnaps and enslaves people of color. With the aid of his loyal friend Rod (Lil Rel Howery), Chris must find a way to escape the terrifying fate that awaits him.

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

The Machinist is a psychological thriller directed by Brad Anderson. It tells the story of Trevor Reznik, a troubled insomniac who has not slept in a year and is slowly becoming plagued by hallucinations. He spends his nights working as a machinist in a metal factory, while trying to deal with his paranoia and delusions. Trevor's life takes a turn for the worse when he finds himself a suspect in a murder investigation and his co-workers begin to question his sanity. As Trevor's life starts to unravel, his grip on reality begins to slip away and he is forced to confront his past in order to survive his present.

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 dark comedy-drama film directed by Alejandro G. Iñárritu and starring Michael Keaton, Zach Galifianakis, Edward Norton, Andrea Riseborough, Amy Ryan, Emma Stone, and Naomi Watts. The movie follows a washed-up actor, Riggan Thomson, who once starred in a blockbuster movie as the superhero "Birdman". He is now trying to reinvent himself through a Broadway play and struggles to overcome his ego and family issues. With the help of his friends, he must overcome his inner demons and put on a great show to prove to the world that he can still be a star. Along the way, Thomson learns to accept and embrace his identity and finds unexpected virtue in his own ignorance.

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 thriller film starring Ashton Kutcher as Evan Treborn. The film follows Evan as he discovers that he has the ability to time-travel, allowing him to revisit pivotal moments in his past in order to try and alter the future. When he attempts to use his newfound power to fix his troubled life, he only succeeds in making it worse. With each time-travel change he makes, he discovers that the consequences of his actions are far-reaching and that the butterfly effect is real. Evan soon realizes that he must choose between sacrificing his own happiness for the sake of others or continuing to selfishly pursue his own desires.

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

Nocturnal Animals is a 2016 American psychological thriller film written, produced, and directed by Tom Ford. The film follows the story of Susan Morrow, an art gallery owner in Los Angeles who receives a package containing a manuscript written by her ex-husband Edward Sheffield. She reads the manuscript, titled "Nocturnal Animals," which tells the story of a man whose family is attacked by a group of violent robbers while on a road trip. As Morrow reads the story, she is filled with nostalgia, regret, and guilt, and is forced to confront her past. The film stars Amy Adams, Jake Gyllenhaal, Michael Shannon, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and Armie Hammer, and is set in Los Angeles and West Texas. It explores themes of revenge, regret, and love, and has received acclaim from critics for its direction, screenplay, performances, and Ford's style.

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

Source Code is a science fiction thriller directed by Duncan Jones and starring Jake Gyllenhaal. The story follows Colter Stevens (Gyllenhaal), a U.S. Army pilot who wakes up to find himself inhabiting the body of a stranger on a Chicago commuter train. He soon learns that he is part of a top-secret government program known as the "Source Code," which allows him to relive the final 8 minutes of someone else's life in order to prevent a terrorist attack on the train. As Stevens unravels the mystery of the attack and discovers the identity of the bomber, he must make a difficult decision to either save hundreds of innocent lives or risk his own in order to save the day.

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