Movies About Brainwashing

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

Fight Club is a 1999 American psychological thriller film directed by David Fincher, based on the 1996 novel of the same name by Chuck Palahniuk. The film follows an unnamed protagonist, 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 becomes embroiled in a spiral of thrill-seeking, ultimately violent activities. Along the way, he meets Marla Singer, played by Helena Bonham Carter, and the two of them form a complicated relationship. The film's themes include the exploration of masculinity, critiques of consumer culture, and nihilism. It has since become a cult classic.

From Paul Thomas Anderson, starring Daniel Day-Lewis, Paul Dano, Ciarán Hinds, Martin Stringer
Rated R

There Will Be Blood is a 2007 drama directed by Paul Thomas Anderson and starring Daniel Day-Lewis as Daniel Plainview, an ambitious and ruthless oil prospector in the early 20th century. The film follows the transformation of Plainview from a hardworking, self-made man to a ruthless, obsessive tycoon, as he navigates the oil-rich hills of California and clashes with the local church and its devious leader, Eli Sunday (Paul Dano). Along the way, Plainview must confront his own personal demons and confrontations with those around him, in a sweeping tale of ambition and power. The film culminates in an explosive confrontation between Plainview and Sunday, in a scene that has become iconic for its intensity.

From Stanley Kramer, starring Spencer Tracy, Fredric March, Gene Kelly, Dick York
Rated Passed

Inherit the Wind is a 1960 American drama film directed by Stanley Kramer, which tells the story of a 1925 trial of a Tennessee school teacher accused of violating state laws by teaching the theory of evolution. The trial was a fictionalized version of the Scopes Monkey Trial of 1925, which pitted lawyers William Jennings Bryan and Clarence Darrow against each other in a heated courtroom battle. It uses the trial as a platform to explore issues of civil liberties and freedom of thought. The movie stars Spencer Tracy as Henry Drummond and Fredric March as Matthew Harrison Brady, two attorneys who come to the town of Hillsboro to debate the issue of science versus religious dogma. The movie follows the events leading up to the trial, the trial itself, and the aftermath. It was nominated for four Academy Awards and won an Honorary Award.

From Charles Laughton, starring Robert Mitchum, Shelley Winters, Lillian Gish, James Gleason
Rated Not Rated

The Night of the Hunter is a 1955 American thriller film directed by Charles Laughton and starring Robert Mitchum, Shelley Winters, and Lillian Gish. The plot follows a sinister, charismatic preacher-turned serial killer, Harry Powell (Mitchum), who attempts to charm and manipulate his way into the lives of a widow and her two children in order to find the location of a hidden bank account. The film was based on the 1953 novel of the same name, written by Davis Grubb. The film has been critically acclaimed for its suspenseful, expressionistic style, with its visuals and performances often being compared to German Expressionist cinema. The Night of the Hunter was a financial failure at the time of its release, but has since gone on to be considered a classic of film noir and American cinema, and is often cited as Laughton's only major work.

From Alex Gibney, starring Paul Haggis, Jason Beghe, Spanky Taylor, David Miscavige
Rated Not Rated

Going Clear: Scientology & the Prison of Belief is a 2015 documentary film directed by Alex Gibney based on the book of the same name by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Lawrence Wright. The film details the history and beliefs of the Church of Scientology and its controversial practices, as well as the stories of eight former members who have experienced abuse and exploitation. It examines the church's origins, its tax-exempt status, the experiences of those who have left, and its alleged involvement in criminal activities. It also provides an in-depth look at the church's leader, David Miscavige, and its founder, L. Ron Hubbard. The film provides insight into the Church of Scientology's controversial history, including its alleged abuses and exploitation of members, its financial operations, and its attempts to silence its critics.

From Roman Polanski, starring Mia Farrow, John Cassavetes, Ruth Gordon, Sidney Blackmer
Rated Approved

Rosemary's Baby is a 1968 psychological horror film directed by Roman Polanski and based on the bestselling 1967 novel of the same name by Ira Levin. The film follows Rosemary Woodhouse (Mia Farrow), a young, pregnant housewife who moves into a new apartment in the Bramford with her husband, Guy (John Cassavetes). Rosemary soon finds out from her elderly neighbors, Minnie and Roman Castevet, that their apartment is the site of a series of dark rituals and supernatural phenomena. As her pregnancy progresses, Rosemary becomes increasingly suspicious that the Castevets and her husband are conspiring to steal her baby and use it for their own mysterious purposes. As the tension mounts, Rosemary must confront the darkest forces at work in her own home to protect her unborn child.

From Alan Parker, starring Gene Hackman, Willem Dafoe, Frances McDormand, Brad Dourif
Rated R

Mississippi Burning is a crime drama set in 1964 during the civil rights movement. The movie follows FBI agents Rupert Anderson (Gene Hackman) and Alan Ward (Willem Dafoe) as they investigate the disappearance of three civil rights activists in a small Mississippi town. The two agents are met with hostility and resistance by the townspeople, and they soon realize that a powerful and dangerous Ku Klux Klan is behind the violent acts. In order to get to the truth, Anderson and Ward must confront the corrupt local government and powerful Klan leader, Sheriff Stuckey (Brad Dourif), as well as their own inner demons. The movie highlights the extreme racism and prejudice of the 1960s South and the courage it took for people to fight for their rights and stand up against injustice. Despite the odds, Anderson and Ward manage to uncover the truth and bring justice to the victims.

From Wolfgang Becker, starring Daniel Brühl, Katrin Sass, Chulpan Khamatova, Florian Lukas
Rated R

Good Bye Lenin! is a bittersweet German comedy-drama film released in 2003 and directed by Wolfgang Becker. The film tells the story of a young man, Alex, in East Germany, who must keep his mother in the dark about the changes in East Germany after the fall of the Berlin Wall. Alex's mother, Christiane, is a staunch socialist and supporter of the East German regime who suffers a heart attack and slips into a coma. When she wakes up eight months later, the country she knew no longer exists and Alex must go to extreme lengths to keep her from learning the truth and suffering a second, possibly fatal, shock. He creates a faux socialist Germany in their tiny apartment, complete with rationed food, black and white TV, and communist propaganda. Through a combination of luck and wit, Alex manages to keep the ruse going until his mother is eventually told the truth. Good Bye Lenin! is both a poignant family drama and a hilarious farce, showcasing the absurdity and pathos of East Germany in the wake of the fall of the Berlin Wall.

From Peter Mullan, starring Eileen Walsh, Dorothy Duffy, Nora-Jane Noone, Anne-Marie Duff
Rated R

The Magdalene Sisters is a 2002 drama film written and directed by Peter Mullan. Set in 1964, the film tells the story of three young Irish women – Margaret, Bernadette, and Rose – who are sent to the Magdalene Laundries, Catholic Church-run institutions that housed young women who were deemed morally wayward or flawed. The women are subjected to physical, mental, and sexual abuse, and are denied contact with the outside world. As the story progresses, the women come to form a bond and attempt to escape the oppressive environment of the laundry. The film, which was met with both critical and commercial success, won numerous awards, including best film at the Venice Film Festival.

From Larry Charles, starring Bill Maher, Tal Bachman, Jonathan Boulden, Steven Burg
Rated R

Religulous is a 2008 American documentary film directed by Larry Charles and starring political comedian Bill Maher. The film documents Maher's journey around the world in pursuit of the truth about religion. Through interviews with believers and non-believers of various faiths, Maher attempts to understand why people hold onto their beliefs despite scientific evidence that conflicts with them. Along the way, he brings up controversial topics, such as the Bible's accuracy, the existence of Heaven and Hell, and the concept of intelligent design. He also examines the history of religion to show how it has been used over time to control people and gain power. The film ultimately makes a case for the need to take a more rational approach to religion, while still respecting people's beliefs and choices.

From Vikram Gandhi, starring Vikram Gandhi, Toby, Greg, Molly
Rated Not Rated

Kumaré is a documentary film by director Vikram Gandhi chronicling his journey of posing as a spiritual guru in order to explore questions of faith, truth, and deception. Over the course of the film, Gandhi creates a persona for himself as the Indian guru Kumaré, and gains the trust of a group of devoted followers in Arizona. Through his interactions with these followers, Gandhi reflects on the power of belief and how the idea of a spiritual leader can be used to manipulate people. Despite his original intentions of satire, Gandhi ultimately finds himself forming a deep connection with his followers and comes to understand the power of faith. In the end, Gandhi reveals his true identity to his followers, who respond with love and understanding. The film ultimately serves as a testament to the power of faith and its ability to bring people together.

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

Eyes Wide Shut is a psychological thriller directed by Stanley Kubrick and starring Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman. It follows the story of a married couple, Dr. Bill and Alice Harford, whose relationship is put to the test when Alice reveals that she has fantasized about having an affair. This leads Bill on a night-long odyssey of sexual and moral discovery, as he delves into a secret world of pleasure and debauchery. Along the way, he encounters a variety of dangerous and seductive characters, and comes to discover the hidden desires that lurk just beneath the surface of life. The film is a fascinating exploration of human sexuality and relationships, and the power of our innermost desires.

From Steven Spielberg, starring Harrison Ford, Kate Capshaw, Ke Huy Quan, Amrish Puri
Rated PG

Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom is a 1984 American action-adventure film directed by Steven Spielberg. It is the prequel to the 1981 film Raiders of the Lost Ark, and it is the second installment in the Indiana Jones franchise. Set in 1935, Indiana Jones and his sidekick Short Round go on an adventure in India to recover a sacred stone stolen from a small village. They arrive at a mysterious palace, the Temple of Doom, and discover a secret cult plotting a terrible plan in the catacombs below. With the help of a rebellious Indian village girl named Willie, Indy works to prevent the cult from recovering an ancient evil power hidden in the temple. The trio must survive dangerous traps and face off against a ruthless cult leader in order to save the village and return the sacred stone.

From Roger Ross Williams, starring
Rated TV-14

From Bill Paxton, starring Bill Paxton, Matthew McConaughey, Powers Boothe, Matt O'Leary
Rated R

From Paul Thomas Anderson, starring Joaquin Phoenix, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Amy Adams, Jesse Plemons
Rated R

From Ari Aster, starring Florence Pugh, Jack Reynor, Vilhelm Blomgren, William Jackson Harper
Rated R

From Martin Koolhoven, starring Guy Pearce, Dakota Fanning, Emilia Jones, Carice van Houten
Rated R

From Will Allen, starring Will Allen, Dimitrius Pulido, Phillipe Coquet, David Christopher
Rated Not Rated

From Florian Gallenberger, starring Emma Watson, Daniel Brühl, Michael Nyqvist, Richenda Carey
Rated R

From Joel Edgerton, starring Lucas Hedges, Nicole Kidman, Joel Edgerton, Russell Crowe
Rated R

From Nicholas Hytner, starring Daniel Day-Lewis, Winona Ryder, Paul Scofield, Joan Allen
Rated PG-13

From Sean Durkin, starring Elizabeth Olsen, Sarah Paulson, John Hawkes, Christopher Abbott
Rated R

From Eva Orner, starring Larissa Anderson, Francesca Asumah, Sarah Baughn, Bikram Choudhury
Rated TV-MA

From Marc Forster, starring Gerard Butler, Michelle Monaghan, Michael Shannon, Kathy Baker
Rated R