Movies About Isolation

From Damien Chazelle, starring Miles Teller, J.K. Simmons, Melissa Benoist, Paul Reiser
Rated R

Whiplash is a 2014 drama-thriller film written and directed by Damien Chazelle. Starring Miles Teller and J.K. Simmons, the film follows the story of aspiring jazz drummer Andrew Neyman (Teller) as he enrolls at a prestigious music conservatory. After being recruited by Terence Fletcher (Simmons), an instructor known for his intense teaching methods, Andrew must prove himself to Fletcher in order to make it into the conservatory's top jazz ensemble. The film chronicles Andrew's struggles as he pushes himself to become a great musician, while also dealing with Fletcher's harsh teaching methods, which lead to an intense power struggle between the two. Ultimately, Andrew perseveres, becoming a better musician and a stronger person in the process.

From Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck, starring Ulrich Mühe, Martina Gedeck, Sebastian Koch, Ulrich Tukur
Rated R

The Lives of Others is a 2006 German drama film directed by Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck. Set in East Berlin in 1984, the film follows the life of a Stasi officer tasked with the surveillance of a talented but politically rebellious playwright and his girlfriend. Driven by loyalty and curiosity, the officer begins to question the morality of his job and develops a profound connection to the targets of his investigation. The film explores themes of loyalty, morality, and the oppressive power of the surveillance state. It ultimately ends on a hopeful note, with the officer playing a major role in reuniting the couple.

From Christopher Nolan, starring Guy Pearce, Carrie-Anne Moss, Joe Pantoliano, Mark Boone Junior
Rated R

Memento is a psychological thriller directed by Christopher Nolan. The film follows Leonard Shelby (played by Guy Pearce), a man who suffers from a rare medical condition that has left him unable to create new memories. He is searching for his wife's murderer and uses notes and tattoos to remind himself of his mission. Leonard then meets Natalie (played by Carrie-Anne Moss), a mysterious woman who claims to be an ally, and Teddy (Joe Pantoliano), a man who may or may not be helping him. As the story progresses, Leonard discovers that his memories are unreliable and that his search may be motivated by a darker purpose. The film's non-linear narrative structure, with scenes presented in reverse order, further emphasizes Leonard's confusion and desperation.

From Peter Farrelly, starring Viggo Mortensen, Mahershala Ali, Linda Cardellini, Sebastian Maniscalco
Rated PG-13

Green Book is a 2018 biographical drama directed by Peter Farrelly, based on a true story. The film stars Viggo Mortensen and Mahershala Ali, and follows the unlikely friendship between an Italian-American bouncer and an African-American classical musician in the 1960s. The two men embark on a journey through the Deep South to perform a series of concerts, during which they face racism, danger, and a number of other challenges. Despite their differences, they come to rely on each other and develop a strong bond that transcends cultural boundaries. In the end, they discover that the friendship they have forged goes beyond race and social class, and that the true meaning of the “Green Book” is not just a guidebook, but a guide to life.

From Mick Jackson, starring Karen Meagher, Reece Dinsdale, David Brierly, Rita May
Rated TV-MA

Threads is a British television drama film written by Barry Hines and directed by Mick Jackson, originally aired on BBC2 on 23 September 1984. The film follows the lives of two ordinary families—the Kemps and the Becketts—in Sheffield, England, as they struggle to survive during a nuclear war and its aftermath. As the story progresses, the film shows the intense real-world effects of a nuclear attack on a major city, including the immediate effects of the blast and radiation, the collapse of services, food shortages and the breakdown of society. The film culminates in a bleak, post-apocalyptic landscape, representing the extreme effects of nuclear war. Threads is widely praised for its harsh, realistic portrayal of the effects of a nuclear attack and its aftermath.

From Rian Johnson, starring Daniel Craig, Chris Evans, Ana de Armas, Jamie Lee Curtis
Rated PG-13

Knives Out is a 2019 mystery-comedy film directed by Rian Johnson and starring Daniel Craig, Chris Evans, and Jamie Lee Curtis. The film follows the eccentric and wealthy crime novelist, Harlan Thrombey, who is found dead on the eve of his 85th birthday. His family, who all have their own secrets and motives, become suspects in his murder. Enter Detective Benoit Blanc, a renowned detective who is brought in to investigate the case. With the help of Harlan's trusted housekeeper and her granddaughter, they must unravel the secrets of the Thrombey family in order to solve the mystery and find out who killed Harlan. Filled with colorful characters, witty dialogue, and plenty of twists and turns, Knives Out is sure to keep you guessing until the very end.

From Adam McKay, starring Christian Bale, Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling, Brad Pitt
Rated R

The Big Short is a 2015 dark comedy-drama directed by Adam McKay and based on the 2010 non-fiction book by Michael Lewis. The film focuses on the build-up of the United States housing bubble which burst in 2008 and led to the Great Recession. It follows four main characters and their stories of how they profit from the bubble's collapse. The characters include Michael Burry, a brilliant and eccentric hedge fund manager; Mark Baum, a cynical trader; Jared Vennett, a slick and opportunistic investor; and Charlie Geller and Jamie Shipley, two amateur investors. The film details the various ways in which the characters manage to anticipate and capitalize on the collapse of the housing market. Along with the main story, the film also features a series of celebrity interviews, using humor to explain the complicated financial concepts that drive the narrative. In the end, The Big Short serves as a cautionary tale on the dangers of unchecked greed, while also highlighting the power of knowledge and understanding of complex financial systems.

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

Mississippi Burning is a 1988 American crime thriller directed by Alan Parker. Set during the civil rights movement of 1964, the film follows two FBI agents who are sent to investigate the disappearance of three civil rights activists in Mississippi. The agents, played by Gene Hackman and Willem Dafoe, encounter deep-seated racism and hostility from the local law enforcement and townsfolk. As the investigation progresses, and the agents uncover more evidence, they realize that the missing activists were killed by members of the Ku Klux Klan. The agents must put their own lives in danger to uncover the truth and bring justice to the victim's families. With powerful performances from Hackman and Dafoe, Mississippi Burning is a poignant and hard-hitting drama that shines a light on the racism and injustice of 1960s America.

From Philip Kaufman, starring Sam Shepard, Scott Glenn, Ed Harris, Dennis Quaid
Rated PG

The Right Stuff (1983) is a drama directed by Philip Kaufman that chronicles the history of the United States’ first astronauts, the Mercury 7. The movie follows their journey from the selection process and the rigorous training, to their mission to space and the struggles they encountered on the way. The film is based on the book by Tom Wolfe, and stars Ed Harris, Scott Glenn, Sam Shepard, and Dennis Quaid, who play the astronauts. The movie follows the astronauts and their families as they deal with the stress, fame, and notoriety of being the first in space. The film showcases the courage and determination of these men as they face the unknown, and the strength of their families as they support them along the journey.

From Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck, starring Tom Schilling, Sebastian Koch, Paula Beer, Saskia Rosendahl
Rated R

Never Look Away is a 2018 German drama film directed by Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck. It tells the story of a young artist, Kurt (Tom Schilling), who goes through various stages of life and art, always trying to reconcile his artistic ambitions with the political and social constraints of his time in Germany. The film follows Kurt from his childhood in the 1930s to adulthood in the 1960s as he struggles to create artwork and find success as an artist. Along the way, he is affected by the events of World War II and the Cold War, and experiences the strictures of East German state control. Ultimately, Kurt finds solace in a secret relationship with his aunt, who helps him find a creative outlet and break away from his confined existence. The film received critical acclaim upon its release, winning the Best Foreign Language Film at the 91st Academy Awards.

From Todd Haynes, starring Mark Ruffalo, Anne Hathaway, Tim Robbins, Bill Pullman
Rated PG-13

Dark Waters is a 2019 legal drama directed by Todd Haynes. The film stars Mark Ruffalo as Robert Bilott, a corporate defense attorney who switches sides and takes on a major chemical company, DuPont. After Bilott discovers DuPont has been dumping toxic chemicals into the local water supply for decades, he embarks on a decade-long legal battle to bring the company to justice. As Bilott wades through corporate legal documents and faces off against powerful lawyers, he fights for justice for the residents of Parkersburg, West Virginia and reveals a much larger corporate cover-up. Through Bilott’s courage and integrity, he shows how one person can make a difference and fight for the truth.

From Dario Argento, starring David Hemmings, Daria Nicolodi, Gabriele Lavia, Macha Méril
Rated R

Deep Red (1975) is an Italian horror-thriller directed by Dario Argento. The film follows jazz pianist Marcus Daly (David Hemmings) as he investigates the murder of a psychic, who had predicted her own death. While trying to uncover the mysterious killer and their motives, Marcus is led down a dark path full of unexpected twists and turns. The film culminates in a terrifying climax and a shocking finale. Along the way, Marcus discovers clues that lead him to suspect a sinister conspiracy. With a unique visual style and a masterfully crafted soundtrack by Goblin, Deep Red is considered by many to be one of the best horror films of all time.

From Steven Spielberg, starring Eric Bana, Daniel Craig, Marie-Josée Croze, Ciarán Hinds
Rated R

Munich is a 2005 political thriller film directed by Steven Spielberg and written by Tony Kushner and Eric Roth. It is based on the book Vengeance, by George Jonas. The film tells the story of a secret Israeli government operation in which a team of five men is assigned to track down and assassinate 11 Palestinians believed to have plotted the 1972 Munich massacre of Israeli athletes. The cast includes Eric Bana, Daniel Craig, Ciarán Hinds, Mathieu Kassovitz, and Geoffrey Rush. The movie follows the team as they plan and execute a campaign of assassinations, and deals with the moral complexities of revenge. The film is based on historical events, but also includes a number of fictionalized elements. The movie explores the psychological and moral repercussions of violence and examines the issues of identity, loyalty, responsibility, and justice.

From Tom Tykwer, starring Ben Whishaw, Dustin Hoffman, Alan Rickman, Francesc Albiol
Rated R

Perfume: The Story of a Murderer is a 2006 German period drama directed by Tom Tykwer. Set in 18th-century France, it follows the story of Jean-Baptiste Grenouille (Ben Whishaw), an orphan with an extraordinary sensitive sense of smell. After apprenticing as a perfumer and developing a unique skill for creating scents, he embarks on a quest to create the ultimate perfume by extracting the scent of beautiful women. However, his obsession with capturing the essence of beauty leads him to a disturbing series of murders, as he searches for the perfect scent. As his infamy grows, Grenouille must confront his own inner demons and come to terms with the consequences of his actions.

From Anthony Minghella, starring Ralph Fiennes, Juliette Binoche, Willem Dafoe, Kristin Scott Thomas
Rated R

From Bennett Miller, starring Philip Seymour Hoffman, Clifton Collins Jr., Catherine Keener, Allie Mickelson
Rated R

From Uli Edel, starring Martina Gedeck, Moritz Bleibtreu, Johanna Wokalek, Bruno Ganz
Rated R

From Stephen Frears, starring Chiwetel Ejiofor, Audrey Tautou, Sophie Okonedo, Kriss Dosanjh
Rated R

From Damien Chazelle, starring Ryan Gosling, Claire Foy, Jason Clarke, Kyle Chandler
Rated PG-13

From Paul Verhoeven, starring Isabelle Huppert, Laurent Lafitte, Anne Consigny, Charles Berling
Rated R

From Cory Finley, starring Hugh Jackman, Ray Romano, Welker White, Allison Janney
Rated TV-MA

From Galder Gaztelu-Urrutia, starring Ivan Massagué, Zorion Eguileor, Antonia San Juan, Emilio Buale
Rated TV-MA

From David Frankel, starring Anne Hathaway, Meryl Streep, Adrian Grenier, Emily Blunt
Rated PG-13

From S. Craig Zahler, starring Mel Gibson, Vince Vaughn, Tory Kittles, Michael Jai White
Rated R

From Edward Norton, starring Edward Norton, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Alec Baldwin, Willem Dafoe
Rated R