Movies About Covert Narcissists

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 and released in 1991. It tells the story of FBI trainee Clarice Starling as she attempts to apprehend the serial killer Buffalo Bill, who is murdering young women across the Midwest and using their skin to make a "woman suit". To gain insight into the killer's mind and locate him, Starling interviews the infamous jailed serial killer Dr. Hannibal Lecter, whose macabre intelligence proves essential to the investigation. The film also follows the twisted relationship between Lecter and Starling, and the power struggle between them. Starling must ultimately come to terms with her own inner demons as she navigates the darkness in pursuit of Buffalo Bill.

From David Fincher, starring Morgan Freeman, Brad Pitt, Kevin Spacey, Andrew Kevin Walker
Rated R

Se7en is a psychological thriller directed by David Fincher, starring Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman. The story follows two homicide detectives, Somerset (Freeman) and Mills (Pitt), who are pursuing a notorious serial killer who is murdering people based on the seven deadly sins. As the detectives uncover clues and victims, they are thrust into a world of moral ambiguity and must confront their own personal demons in order to solve the case. As the body count rises, the detectives must face the ultimate challenge, a choice between justice and mercy. Se7en is a gripping and suspenseful exploration of the nature of evil and the consequences of obsession.

From Alfred Hitchcock, starring Anthony Perkins, Janet Leigh, Vera Miles, John Gavin
Rated R

Psycho is a 1960 psychological horror film directed and produced by Alfred Hitchcock, and based on the 1959 novel of the same name by Robert Bloch. The film stars Anthony Perkins, Janet Leigh, Vera Miles, and John Gavin as three people whose lives become intertwined after they cross paths at the Bates Motel. A young secretary, Marion Crane (Leigh), goes on the run after stealing a large sum of money from her employer. She stops at the Bates Motel, where she meets Norman Bates (Perkins), the motel's strange proprietor. As Marion's stay at the motel grows longer, secrets about the motel, Norman, and his mother unfold, leading to a shocking conclusion. Psycho is renowned for its suspenseful atmosphere, its revolutionary score, and its iconic shower scene.

From Martin Scorsese, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Jonah Hill, Margot Robbie, Matthew McConaughey
Rated R

The Wolf of Wall Street is an American biographical black comedy film directed by Martin Scorsese and based on the memoir of the same name by Jordan Belfort. The film follows Belfort’s rise to a wealthy stockbroker living the high life and his fall involving crime, corruption and the federal government. The film stars Leonardo DiCaprio as Belfort, with Jonah Hill, Margot Robbie, Matthew McConaughey, Kyle Chandler, Rob Reiner, Jon Bernthal, and Jean Dujardin in supporting roles. The screenplay was co-written by Terence Winter and the film was produced by Red Granite Pictures and distributed by Paramount Pictures. The Wolf of Wall Street was released on December 25, 2013, in the United States and Canada, where it earned $116 million in its opening weekend and a worldwide total of $392 million, making it the highest-grossing Scorsese film. The film was the fifth highest-grossing film of 2013, and received critical acclaim and numerous accolades, including five Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture and Best Director.

From Steven Spielberg, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Hanks, Christopher Walken, Martin Sheen
Rated PG-13

Catch Me If You Can is a 2002 American biographical crime comedy-drama film directed and produced by Steven Spielberg and starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hanks. The film is based on the real-life story of Frank Abagnale Jr., a master con artist and impostor who, before his 19th birthday, successfully conned millions of dollars' worth of checks in 26 countries. The film follows Frank's journey as a young man who, after his parents' divorce, attempts to help his financially struggling family by using his masterful con artist skills. After being caught and sent to prison, FBI agent Carl Hanratty (Tom Hanks) works to track down Frank and bring him to justice. Despite the odds against him, Frank manages to evade capture by utilizing his charm and sharp wit. He eventually finds himself in a battle of wits with Agent Hanratty, as the two become unlikely friends. In the end, Frank is ultimately able to turn his life around and become a successful and honest businessman.

From David Fincher, starring Ben Affleck, Rosamund Pike, Neil Patrick Harris, Tyler Perry
Rated R

Gone Girl is a psychological thriller directed by David Fincher and based on the novel by Gillian Flynn. The film follows the story of Nick (Ben Affleck) and Amy Dunne (Rosamund Pike). On the day of their fifth wedding anniversary, Amy goes missing and Nick is the prime suspect. As the media begins to vilify him, Nick desperately attempts to prove his innocence, while Amy's diary reveals a very different story. The film follows the investigations and reveals many shocking truths about the couple's relationship. With an intense and thrilling plot line, Gone Girl is a suspenseful take on marriage and its secrets.

From David Fincher, starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Robert Downey Jr., Mark Ruffalo, Anthony Edwards
Rated R

Zodiac is a 2007 mystery-thriller film directed by David Fincher and based on the true story of the notorious serial killer known as the Zodiac Killer. The film stars Jake Gyllenhaal, Robert Downey Jr., Mark Ruffalo, and Anthony Edwards as a team of San Francisco police detectives led by Inspector David Toschi (Ruffalo), who are trying to catch the anonymous killer. Meanwhile, San Francisco Chronicle cartoonist Robert Graysmith (Gyllenhaal) obsessively follows the case, driven by his own personal connection to the killer. Drawing on the extensive research of Graysmith, the film follows the efforts of the police to capture the Zodiac, as well as their investigation into the string of murders and other crimes attributed to him. Despite the detectives' attempts to find the killer, the Zodiac was never caught. The film ends with a haunting reminder of the killer's presence in the city of San Francisco and his lasting impact on the people who pursued him.

From Gregory Hoblit, starring Richard Gere, Laura Linney, Edward Norton, John Mahoney
Rated R

Primal Fear is a 1996 crime-thriller directed by Gregory Hoblit. The film centers around a young altar boy, Aaron Stampler, who is accused of brutally murdering an archbishop. Despite strong evidence against him, Aaron claims he was framed. A high-profile defense attorney, Martin Vail, takes on Aaron's case and soon finds himself delving into a complex web of corruption and lies. As the trial progresses, Vail must decide if Aaron is indeed guilty or if he is truly the victim of a conspiracy. The film is full of unexpected twists and turns, leading to a shocking conclusion.

From Mary Harron, starring Christian Bale, Justin Theroux, Josh Lucas, Bill Sage
Rated R

American Psycho is a 2000 black comedy horror film directed by Mary Harron, based on the novel of the same name by Bret Easton Ellis. The film stars Christian Bale as the wealthy and shallow Patrick Bateman, a yuppie banker living and working in New York City. As Bateman engages in a life of crime, he becomes increasingly disturbed by his own actions, eventually descending into a nightmarish world of violence and mental instability. Along the way, he battles his own inner demons, as well as a mysterious serial killer who is stalking the city. The film features supporting performances from Willem Dafoe, Reese Witherspoon, Samantha Mathis, and Chloë Sevigny.

From Directors: David Farrier, Dylan Reeve, starring David Farrier, Dylan Reeve, David Starr, Kevin Clarke
Rated R

Tickled is a documentary film directed by David Farrier and Dylan Reeve and released in 2016. It follows journalist Farrier as he investigates an online tickling video competition. His research leads him to an international web of bizarre and dangerous activities, as he discovers an underground world of "competitive endurance tickling" that is connected to a powerful network of wealth, influence and control. The documentary reveals the dark side of an online community that exploits young people for their own gain. Through interviews with participants, journalists and executives, Farrier and Reeve expose a twisted world of lies, intimidation and fear. Ultimately, the film serves as a cautionary tale about the power of the internet and the dangers of revealing too much personal information.

From Paul Thomas Anderson, starring Vicky Krieps, Daniel Day-Lewis, Lesley Manville, Julie Vollono
Rated R

From Anthony Minghella, starring Matt Damon, Gwyneth Paltrow, Jude Law, Cate Blanchett
Rated R

From M. Night Shyamalan, starring James McAvoy, Anya Taylor-Joy, Haley Lu Richardson, Jessica Sula
Rated PG-13

From Oliver Stone, starring Charlie Sheen, Michael Douglas, Tamara Tunie, Franklin Cover
Rated R

From Directors: Henry Joost, Ariel Schulman, starring Nev Schulman, Ariel Schulman, Henry Joost, Angela Wesselman-Pierce
Rated PG-13

From Bennett Miller, starring Steve Carell, Channing Tatum, Mark Ruffalo, Vanessa Redgrave
Rated R

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

From Joseph Ruben, starring Julia Roberts, Patrick Bergin, Kevin Anderson, Elizabeth Lawrence
Rated R