Movies About Alchemy

From Stanley Kubrick, starring Keir Dullea, Gary Lockwood, William Sylvester, Daniel Richter
Rated G

"2001: A Space Odyssey" is Stanley Kubrick's groundbreaking and visionary science fiction film. The movie follows a voyage to Jupiter with the sentient computer HAL after the discovery of a mysterious black monolith affecting human evolution. Along the journey, the ship's crew is exposed to cosmic forces beyond their understanding. The film explores themes of technology, artificial intelligence, and the possibility of the existence of extraterrestrial life. The movie is a groundbreaking look at the future and humanity's place in the universe. The film's iconic music and visuals remain timeless and influential to this day.

From Mamoru Oshii, starring Atsuko Tanaka, Iemasa Kayumi, Akio Ôtsuka, Kôichi Yamadera
Rated TV-MA

Ghost in the Shell is a 1995 Japanese anime science fiction film written and directed by Mamoru Oshii, based on the manga of the same name by Masamune Shirow. The film follows the members of a covert ops unit of the Japanese National Public Safety Commission that specialize in fighting technology-related crime. The team, Section 9, is led by Major Motoko Kusanagi, a human-cyborg hybrid, as they investigate the case of a mysterious hacker known only as the Puppet Master. Throughout the story, Kusanagi is forced to question her identity and the moral implications of her actions as she struggles to find a way to the Puppet Master. In the end, she discovers the truth about herself and her world. Ghost in the Shell is renowned for its complex narrative, intricate visuals, and philosophical underpinnings and is considered one of the most influential anime films of all time.

From Alejandro Jodorowsky, starring Alejandro Jodorowsky, Horacio Salinas, Zamira Saunders, Juan Ferrara
Rated R

The Holy Mountain is a surrealist film by director Alejandro Jodorowsky released in 1973. It follows a Thief (played by Jodorowsky) on a spiritual quest to meet a group of immortals who live ontop of the mysterious Holy Mountain. Along the way, the Thief meets nine guides, each of whom represents a aspect of the human experience. The Thief and the guides embark on a journey to the Holy Mountain, crossing the desert and encountering a series of bizarre and fantastical events along the way. As the group nears the mountain, they come to understand the true nature of their quest and discover the hidden meaning of life. The film is an exploration of spirituality, metaphysics, and the human condition, and its themes of transformation and rebirth make it one of Jodorowsky's most celebrated works.

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

Mr. Nobody is a 2009 science fiction drama film starring Jared Leto, Sarah Polley, and Diane Kruger. The film follows the life of Nemo Nobody, an elderly man, who is the last mortal on Earth after the human race has achieved quasi-immortality. In the year 2092, Nemo is on his deathbed recounting his life to a reporter, where the film flashes between his childhood, his adult years and his old age, exploring the paths his life could have taken and the impact of chance and choice on his life. As he nears the end of his life, Nemo must confront his biggest decision, whether to stay with his long-time wife or pursue his lost love. As he struggles to make his choice, Nemo realizes that every choice he makes leads to a different life, and that each life has its own joys and sorrows. In the end, he must decide which path to take, one of certainty or one of uncertainty.

From Ciro Guerra, starring Nilbio Torres, Jan Bijvoet, Antonio Bolívar, Brionne Davis
Rated Not Rated

Embrace of the Serpent is a 2015 Colombian drama film directed by Ciro Guerra. Set in the Amazon rainforest, the film follows two stories about Karamakate, an Amazonian shaman and last survivor of his people, and the two scientists who work with him over the course of 40 years. The first story follows Evan, a German explorer searching for a sacred plant in 1909. Karamakate helps him find the plant and they embark on a journey through the jungle. Along the way, they meet a hostile tribe and confront a man who enslaved Karamakate in the past. The second story follows Theo, an American botanist searching for the same plant in the present day. Again, Karamakate helps him on his journey, but this time they must search for a mythical ritual that will allow them to obtain the plant. On the way, they encounter a different hostile tribe and face Karamakate's own mortality. Ultimately, both journeys are as much about self-discovery as they are about scientific discovery, as Karamakate and the scientists come to understand and appreciate the beauty, wisdom, and fragility of the Amazon rainforest and its people.

From Hiromasa Yonebayashi, starring Sara Takatsuki, Kasumi Arimura, Nanako Matsushima, Susumu Terajima
Rated PG

When Marnie Was There is a 2014 Japanese animated film directed by Hiromasa Yonebayashi. The film follows the story of Anna, an introverted twelve-year-old girl who has recently moved to the countryside. Struggling to adjust to her new life, Anna finds solace in exploring the nearby marshes, where she discovers an abandoned mansion. While exploring the mansion, Anna meets a mysterious girl named Marnie, who changes her life forever. As their friendship deepens, Anna discovers secrets about Marnie's past and uncovers personal secrets about herself. The story follows Anna's emotional journey as she confronts her fears and learns to accept the changes in her life.

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

Eyes Wide Shut is an erotic mystery drama directed by Stanley Kubrick. The film follows the story of Dr. Bill Harford (Tom Cruise), a New York City doctor whose seemingly perfect life is disrupted when his wife Alice (Nicole Kidman) confesses that she almost cheated on him. In an effort to explore his own repressed desires, Bill embarks on a wild, surreal journey through the city's secret underground, encountering a variety of bizarre and erotic encounters. As his journey progresses, Bill finds himself increasingly drawn into the dark and dangerous world of desire and powerful secrets, and is forced to confront his own inner demons. As he navigates this mysterious and often dangerous world, Bill must ultimately decide between his life as a husband and father, and the lure of the unknown.

From Mike Cahill, starring Michael Pitt, Steven Yeun, Astrid Bergès-Frisbey, Brit Marling
Rated R

From John Carpenter, starring Roddy Piper, Keith David, Meg Foster, George 'Buck' Flower
Rated R

From James Ward Byrkit, starring Emily Baldoni, Maury Sterling, Nicholas Brendon, Elizabeth Gracen
Rated Not Rated

From Francis Lawrence, starring Keanu Reeves, Rachel Weisz, Djimon Hounsou, Shia LaBeouf
Rated R

From Vincent Ward, starring Robin Williams, Cuba Gooding Jr., Annabella Sciorra, Max von Sydow
Rated PG-13

From Ken Russell, starring William Hurt, Blair Brown, Bob Balaban, Charles Haid
Rated R

From Terry Gilliam, starring Christopher Plummer, Lily Cole, Heath Ledger, Andrew Garfield
Rated PG-13

From Roman Polanski, starring Johnny Depp, Frank Langella, Lena Olin, Emmanuelle Seigner
Rated R

From Godfrey Reggio, starring Belladonna, Marlon Brando, Elton John, Julia Louis-Dreyfus
Rated PG

From Guy Ritchie, starring Jason Statham, Ray Liotta, André 3000, Vincent Pastore
Rated R

From David Lynch, starring Kyle MacLachlan, Virginia Madsen, Francesca Annis, Leonardo Cimino
Rated PG-13

From Ben Wheatley, starring Julian Barratt, Peter Ferdinando, Richard Glover, Ryan Pope
Rated Not Rated

From Nicolas Winding Refn, starring Mads Mikkelsen, Maarten Stevenson, Alexander Morton, Stewart Porter
Rated Not Rated