Most Psychologically Disturbing Movies

Updated October 1, 2024

So many directors have explored Most Psychologically Disturbing Movies. Here are 18 of the top ones.

The Silence of the Lambs (1991)

★★★★

3.4 out of 4 stars

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 directed by Jonathan Demme. It follows FBI trainee Clarice Starling as she is assigned to track down a serial killer known as "Buffalo Bill", who is abducting and murdering women across the U.S. In order to find the killer, Clarice must seek help from an incarcerated cannibalistic serial killer, Dr. Hannibal Lecter. With Lecter's insight, Clarice is able to uncover the identity of Buffalo Bill and stop him before he can claim another victim. However, in the process, Clarice must confront her own demons as she comes to terms with the dark side of human nature.

Requiem for a Dream (2000)

★★★★

3.3 out of 4 stars

From Darren Aronofsky, starring Ellen Burstyn, Jared Leto, Jennifer Connelly, Marlon Wayans
Rated R

Requiem for a Dream is a 2000 American psychological drama film directed by Darren Aronofsky and based on Hubert Selby Jr.'s novel of the same name. The film tells the parallel stories of four characters struggling with addiction and how it destroys their lives. The main characters are an elderly woman (Sara Goldfarb, played by Ellen Burstyn) who is obsessed with appearing on a game show; her son Harry (Jared Leto) and his girlfriend Marion (Jennifer Connelly) who are trying to get money by dealing drugs; and Harry's friend Tyrone (Marlon Wayans) who is a drug addict. The film follows each of them as their lives spiral out of control due to their addictions, leading to tragedy and despair. The film uses symbolism and surreal images to convey the destructive power of addiction and its devastating effects on lives and relationships.

Deliverance (1972)

★★★★

3.1 out of 4 stars

From John Boorman, starring Jon Voight, Burt Reynolds, Ned Beatty, Ronny Cox
Rated R

Deliverance is a 1972 American thriller film directed by John Boorman. The film tells the story of four city dwellers, Lewis (Burt Reynolds), Ed (Jon Voight), Bobby (Ned Beatty) and Drew (Ronny Cox), who embark on a canoeing trip to a remote area of the Georgia wilderness. Along the way, they encounter dangerous white-water rapids, a hostile local backwoods man, and a terrifying psychological battle with their own fears. Ultimately, they are left to rely on each other's skills and courage in order to survive the journey, and their lives are changed forever.

13 Assassins (2010)

★★★★

3 out of 4 stars

From Takashi Miike, starring Kôji Yakusho, Takayuki Yamada, Yûsuke Iseya, Ikki Sawamura
Rated R

13 Assassins is a 2010 Japanese jidaigeki period drama film directed by Takashi Miike. Set in the mid-19th century, it tells the story of a group of elite samurai who come together to bring down a sadistic lord who poses a threat to the Tokugawa shogunate. After a village is brutally attacked, the leader of the samurai, Shinzaemon Shimada, organizes a band of loyal warriors to take on the villainous Lord Naritsugu Matsudaira. The samurai set a trap in a mountain village to draw out Naritsugu, and when they finally confront him they must fight with all their might to take him down. The epic battle that ensues is both brutal and intensely thrilling, and brings the story to a satisfying conclusion.