Movies About Affairs Gone Wrong

From Martin Scorsese, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, Jack Nicholson, Mark Wahlberg
Rated R

The Departed is an American crime drama directed by Martin Scorsese and starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Jack Nicholson, Matt Damon, and Mark Wahlberg. The film follows two men, Billy Costigan (DiCaprio) and Colin Sullivan (Damon), both of whom are working undercover for the Massachusetts State Police to take down the Irish Mob. Billy is sent to infiltrate the mob, while Colin works his way up the ranks of the police force. As the two men get deeper into their respective roles, their lives become intertwined in a dangerous game of cat and mouse. With both sides finally realizing what the other is up to, the ultimate battle of good versus evil begins. In the end, their lives, and the lives of everyone around them are changed forever.

From Sam Mendes, starring Kevin Spacey, Annette Bening, Thora Birch, Wes Bentley
Rated R

American Beauty is a dark comedy-drama about a family struggling to find happiness in suburban life. Lester Burnham (Kevin Spacey) is a disillusioned middle-aged man whose marriage to Carolyn (Annette Bening) is on the rocks. He begins an affair with Angela (Mena Suvari), a teenage cheerleader, and finds himself drawn to the rebellious side of life. Meanwhile, his daughter Jane (Thora Birch) is dealing with her own issues, such as her crush on the high school heartthrob, Ricky (Wes Bentley). As the family comes apart, Lester finds a new path to happiness, while his wife and daughter find their own ways of coping. As Lester discovers the joys of life, so too does the audience, as the film offers an insightful view of the beauty of life.

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

Vertigo is a 1958 psychological thriller directed by Alfred Hitchcock. The film stars James Stewart as an acrophobic police detective who is asked to investigate the strange behavior of an old friend's wife, played by Kim Novak. After he falls in love with her, he discovers a bizarre truth—that she is possessed by the spirit of a dead woman. In order to save her, he must confront his own fears and face the dark secrets of his past. The film is renowned for its innovative cinematography, as well as its exploration of obsession and the power of the subconscious.

From Kar-Wai Wong, starring Tony Chiu-Wai Leung, Maggie Cheung, Siu Ping-Lam, Tung Cho 'Joe' Cheung
Rated PG

In the Mood for Love is a 2000 romantic drama film directed by Kar-Wai Wong. Set in 1962 Hong Kong, the film follows the lives of Chow Mo-wan, a journalist, and Li-zhen, a secretary, both of whom are married to adulterous spouses. As their spouses often leave town together, Chow and Li-zhen develop a platonic relationship and form a close bond. In spite of their mutual attraction and developing feelings, they remain faithful to their spouses. Throughout the film, the two slowly reveal their feelings for each other through their conversations, glances, and body language. As the two become closer, they eventually move out of their shared apartment and part ways. In the end, Chow and Li-zhen remain deeply in love but never become a couple.

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, based on the novel of the same name by Gillian Flynn. The film stars Ben Affleck, Rosamund Pike, Neil Patrick Harris and Tyler Perry. The film follows Nick Dunne, who becomes the prime suspect when his wife Amy disappears on their fifth wedding anniversary. Nick is subjected to a media frenzy as the police investigate the case and he becomes increasingly desperate to prove his innocence. As the investigation progresses, Nick's behavior raises questions and he eventually discovers the truth about his wife's disappearance. The film is a gripping, suspenseful tale about the lengths people will go to for love, revenge and justice. Fincher's tight direction, Affleck and Pike's powerhouse performances, and Flynn's expertly crafted story make Gone Girl a must-see.

From Mike Nichols, starring Dustin Hoffman, Anne Bancroft, Katharine Ross, William Daniels
Rated PG

The Graduate is a 1967 American romantic comedy-drama film directed by Mike Nichols and written by Buck Henry and Calder Willingham based on the 1963 novel of the same name by Charles Webb. It tells the story of Benjamin Braddock (Dustin Hoffman), a recent college graduate with no well-defined aim in life, who is seduced by an older woman, Mrs. Robinson (Anne Bancroft), and then falls in love with her daughter Elaine (Katharine Ross). The film also stars William Daniels, Elizabeth Wilson, and Murray Hamilton. The film follows Benjamin as he tries to figure out what he wants to do with his life, as he struggles to separate from his parents, and as he navigates the affair with Mrs. Robinson. Through the course of the story, he comes to realize that he does not want to go down the same path as his parents, and he ultimately decides to be with Elaine despite the disapproval of her mother. The film is renowned for its ending in which Benjamin triumphantly interrupts Elaine's wedding to profess his love for her.

From Louis Malle, starring Jeanne Moreau, Maurice Ronet, Georges Poujouly, Yori Bertin
Rated Not Rated

Elevator to the Gallows is a 1958 French film directed by Louis Malle, starring Jeanne Moreau and Maurice Ronet. It follows the story of two star-crossed lovers; Florence Carala and Julien Tavernier, who have devised a plan to murder Florence's husband. The plan goes awry when Julien gets trapped in an elevator and Florence is left alone to deal with the repercussions. As the police investigate the crime, Florence must find a way to protect her and Julien’s love. In the end, justice is not served but the lovers are reunited. The film is an exploration of the difficulties of love and the power of chance.

From Kim Ki-duk, starring Seung-Yun Lee, Hee Jae, Hyuk-ho Kwon, Jin-mo Joo
Rated R

3-Iron is a 2004 South Korean romantic drama film directed by Kim Ki-duk. The film follows the story of a young drifter, Tae-suk, who breaks into people's homes, living in them for a few days to escape the realities of his life, and the woman he meets, Sun-hwa, a beautiful but battered wife. After Sun-hwa discovers Tae-suk living in her home, she decides to follow him as he travels, and they develop a silent bond. Along their journey, they offer comfort and kindness to those they meet, and find solace in each other. The film explores themes of loneliness, love, and companionship in an innovative and creative manner.

From Nicolas Winding Refn, starring Ryan Gosling, Carey Mulligan, Bryan Cranston, Albert Brooks
Rated R

Drive is a 2011 neo-noir crime thriller film directed by Nicolas Winding Refn and written by Hossein Amini, based on the 2005 novel by James Sallis. The film stars Ryan Gosling as a Hollywood stunt driver and mechanic who moonlights as a getaway driver. He enters a criminal underworld when he helps a neighbor and her young son, which puts him in conflict with a local crime boss. The film has been praised for its stylish visuals and its soundtrack, and has also gained a cult following.

From Ritesh Batra, starring Irrfan Khan, Nimrat Kaur, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Lillete Dubey
Rated PG

The Lunchbox is a 2013 Indian romantic drama directed by Ritesh Batra. It tells the story of Saajan, an aging office worker in Mumbai, India and Ila, a young housewife. When Ila's homemade lunchbox mistakenly gets delivered to Saajan, the two begin exchanging notes in the lunchbox, which leads to a blossoming friendship. Their friendship blossoms into something more as they discover how much they have in common, despite their different backgrounds. As their relationship develops, they must confront the harsh realities of their lives, including family pressures, societal expectations and strained relationships. In the end, they must decide whether their newfound connection is strong enough to endure.

From Nick Cassavetes, starring Gena Rowlands, James Garner, Rachel McAdams, Ryan Gosling
Rated PG-13

The Notebook is a 2004 romantic drama film directed by Nick Cassavetes. It stars Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams as a young couple who fall in love in the 1940s. The story is narrated from the present day by an elderly man, Noah Calhoun (James Garner), who reads from his notebook to an elderly woman, Allie Hamilton (Gena Rowlands). Allie and Noah's passionate romance is cut short when Allie's upper-class parents forbid their relationship. Years later, after Allie is engaged to another man, she happens to meet Noah again, now a poor carpenter, and the two rekindle their love for each other. As their love story unfolds, flashbacks show how their relationship has endured the test of time and how it has affected their lives. The film is based on the novel by Nicholas Sparks.

From Pedro Almodóvar, starring Antonio Banderas, Elena Anaya, Jan Cornet, Marisa Paredes
Rated R

The Skin I Live In is a 2011 Spanish psychological thriller film written and directed by Pedro Almodóvar. The film follows a plastic surgeon, Dr. Robert Ledgard, who is obsessed with developing a synthetic skin to help burn victims. He has been working on a revolutionary new skin for the past 12 years, and is finally able to test it on a human subject, Vera Cruz. Things take a sinister turn when it is revealed that Vera is actually the doctor’s captive, and the doctor’s true intention is to create a surrogate for his dead daughter. The film follows the doctor’s journey of revenge and obsession, as he manipulates Vera to become the perfect version of his daughter.

From Jane Campion, starring Holly Hunter, Harvey Keitel, Sam Neill, Anna Paquin
Rated R

The Piano is a 1993 drama film written and directed by Jane Campion. It stars Holly Hunter, Harvey Keitel, Sam Neill, and Anna Paquin in her first acting role. The film tells the story of a mute Scottish woman, Ada McGrath (Hunter), who is sold into an arranged marriage to a New Zealand frontiersman, Alisdair Stewart (Neill). Against her will, Ada is separated from her young daughter, Flora (Paquin) and sent to live with Stewart on the remote wild coast of 19th century New Zealand. There she finds solace in her piano, which she has brought with her. She also meets Baines (Keitel), a rugged man who works for Stewart and is fascinated by her music. As the two begin to develop a relationship, Ada must make the choice between sacrificing her passion or the chance to find love and freedom. The film is a meditation on identity, love, and relationships, with an exploration of the clash between traditional and modern ways of life.

From Todd Field, starring Kate Winslet, Jennifer Connelly, Patrick Wilson, Jackie Earle Haley
Rated R

Little Children is a 2006 American drama film directed by Todd Field. The film stars Kate Winslet, Patrick Wilson, Jennifer Connelly, and Jackie Earle Haley. The film follows the lives of three suburban couples and their struggles to come to terms with their feelings for each other in a world of small-town gossip and scandal. Sarah Pierce (Winslet) is a stay-at-home mother in a loveless marriage, who begins an affair with Brad Adamson (Wilson), a married lawyer with a young child. Brad's wife, Kathy (Connelly), is an overbearing stay-at-home mother, while Brad's friend Ronnie (Haley) is a sex offender recently released from prison. As the two couples become more linked, the film follows the individuals and their struggles to balance their relationships with their social lives in a small suburban town.

From Stanley Kubrick, starring Tom Cruise, Nicole Kidman, Todd Field, Sydney Pollack
Rated R

Eyes Wide Shut is a 1999 American erotic mystery drama film directed, produced, and co-written by Stanley Kubrick. The film follows the sexually charged adventures of Dr. Bill Harford (Tom Cruise), who is shocked when his wife, Alice (Nicole Kidman), reveals that she had contemplated having an affair a year earlier. He embarks on a night-long adventure, during which he infiltrates a massive masked orgy of an underground cult. His dark odyssey leads him into a series of increasingly bizarre and dangerous situations, ultimately revealing a secret world of sexual desire that threatens to upend his life. With its heavy focus on sexual themes, the film received considerable critical acclaim upon its release, and has since become a classic of modern cinema.

From Nikolaj Arcel, starring Alicia Vikander, Mads Mikkelsen, Mikkel Boe Følsgaard, Trine Dyrholm
Rated R

A Royal Affair is a 2012 historical drama film directed by Nikolaj Arcel. Set in 18th century Denmark, it tells the true story of the romance between the queen of Denmark, Caroline Mathilde (Alicia Vikander), and the German doctor Johann Friedrich Struensee (Mads Mikkelsen). Struensee is appointed as the royal doctor and ends up becoming the de facto ruler of the country with the queen's support. Together, they attempt to modernize and reform the oppressive society, fighting for the rights of the people and against the aristocracy. A powerful and dangerous court intrigue develops, and a power struggle between Struensee, the king, and the nobility ensues. Struensee and the queen are eventually caught, leading to a dramatic and tragic conclusion. The film received critical acclaim and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.

From Lawrence Kasdan, starring William Hurt, Kathleen Turner, Richard Crenna, Ted Danson
Rated R

From Guillermo del Toro, starring Marisa Paredes, Eduardo Noriega, Federico Luppi, Fernando Tielve
Rated R

From Gregory Hoblit, starring Anthony Hopkins, Ryan Gosling, David Strathairn, Rosamund Pike
Rated R

From Sion Sono, starring Mitsuru Fukikoshi, Denden, Asuka Kurosawa, Megumi Kagurazaka
Rated Not Rated

From Paul Verhoeven, starring Michael Douglas, Sharon Stone, George Dzundza, Jeanne Tripplehorn
Rated R

From John Dahl, starring Linda Fiorentino, Peter Berg, Bill Pullman, Michael Raysses
Rated R

From Adrian Lyne, starring Michael Douglas, Glenn Close, Anne Archer, Ellen Latzen
Rated R

From Steven Shainberg, starring James Spader, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Jeremy Davies, Lesley Ann Warren
Rated R

From Adrian Lyne, starring Richard Gere, Diane Lane, Olivier Martinez, Erik Per Sullivan
Rated R