Movies About Loneliness

From Christopher Nolan, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Elliot Page, Ken Watanabe
Rated PG-13

Inception is a 2010 sci-fi action film written and directed by Christopher Nolan. The film follows Dom Cobb (Leonardo DiCaprio), a thief who specializes in extracting secrets from people's subconscious minds through the use of dream-sharing technology. Cobb is offered the chance to regain his former life if he can perform a seemingly impossible task: to plant an idea in someone else's mind. He assembles a team to help him, and they must navigate a series of dangerous dreamscapes while being pursued by powerful forces. In the end, Cobb must face his own demons as he attempts to complete the mission and reclaim his life.

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 from 1991, directed by Jonathan Demme and adapted from Thomas Harris’ 1988 novel of the same name. It follows FBI trainee Clarice Starling's (Jodie Foster) efforts to track down serial killer Buffalo Bill (Ted Levine), who is kidnapping and murdering young women. Clarice seeks the help of an incarcerated criminal, Dr. Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins), a brilliant but also highly dangerous cannibalistic psychiatrist. As the two form an unusual alliance, Clarice must battle her own demons as she enters a race against time to capture Buffalo Bill before he kills again. The Silence of the Lambs ultimately won five Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, and Best Adapted Screenplay.

From James Cameron, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton, Edward Furlong, Robert Patrick
Rated R

Terminator 2: Judgment Day is a 1991 science fiction action film directed by James Cameron and starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, Linda Hamilton, and Robert Patrick. The film follows the events of the first Terminator film and focuses on Sarah Connor, a woman struggling to protect her son John from a more advanced Terminator in the future. The story follows Sarah and John as they attempt to outwit the T-1000, an advanced assassin and cyborg sent from the future, while being aided by the original Terminator, now reprogrammed to protect them. The film is a thrilling spectacle of action and special effects and is widely considered to be one of the greatest films of all time.

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

American Beauty is a 1999 drama film directed by Sam Mendes that follows the life of Lester Burnham (Kevin Spacey), a middle-aged magazine executive who is dissatisfied with his life and decides to make drastic changes as a form of mid-life crisis. His wife Carolyn (Annette Bening) is a hard-working real estate broker and his daughter Jane (Thora Birch) is entering her teenage years. Lester finds himself in a world of trouble when he falls for the beauty of his daughter's friend, Angela (Mena Suvari). The film follows Lester's journey of self-discovery as he strives to make his life meaningful and authentic. American Beauty explores themes such as the beauty of life, the power of individual choice, and the fragility of happiness. The film was met with critical acclaim and won five Academy Awards, including Best Picture.

From Martin Scorsese, starring Robert De Niro, Jodie Foster, Cybill Shepherd, Albert Brooks
Rated R

Taxi Driver is a 1976 drama film written by Paul Schrader and directed by Martin Scorsese. The movie stars Robert De Niro as Travis Bickle, an ex-Marine who works as a taxi driver in New York City. Travis struggles with loneliness and insomnia and begins to contemplate violence. He becomes determined to rid the city of the people he perceives as scum and to rescue a young teenage prostitute, Iris (Jodie Foster). Ultimately, his mission fails and Travis spirals into a violent rage. The film examines the human condition and demonstrates how a person's environment can shape his destiny.

From Peter Bogdanovich, starring Ryan O'Neal, Tatum O'Neal, Madeline Kahn, John Hillerman
Rated PG

Paper Moon is a 1973 American comedy-drama film directed by Peter Bogdanovich and starring Ryan and Tatum O'Neal as father and daughter con artists. Set in Great Depression-era Kansas and Missouri, the film follows the unlikely pair as they travel across the state attempting to scam money from gullible folks. Along the way, the two bond, and both come to understand the value of family. The film earned several Academy Award nominations, including Best Actress for Tatum O'Neal and Best Supporting Actor for Ryan O'Neal.

From Sidney Lumet, starring Al Pacino, John Cazale, Penelope Allen, Sully Boyar
Rated R

Dog Day Afternoon is a 1975 crime drama directed by Sidney Lumet and written by Frank Pierson. It stars Al Pacino as Sonny Wortzik, a struggling Brooklyn bank robber, and John Cazale as his accomplice, Sal Naturile. On a hot summer day in Brooklyn, Sonny and Sal enter a bank with the intent of robbing it. Things become complicated when the police arrive and a hostage situation develops. Sonny develops a rapport with the police and the media, as does Sal, and what follows is an intense and unpredictable emotional roller coaster as the group struggles to keep their heads above water. The film follows Sonny and Sal as they attempt to find their way out of a seemingly hopeless situation, while at the same time exploring themes such as family, loyalty, love, and the struggles of being an outsider. It is a film that highlights the human spirit in the face of adversity and is remembered today as one of the greatest films of all time.

From Guy Green, starring Sidney Poitier, Shelley Winters, Elizabeth Hartman, Wallace Ford
Rated Unrated

A Patch of Blue is a 1965 drama film directed by Guy Green, and starring Sidney Poitier, Elizabeth Hartman, Shelley Winters, and Wallace Ford. It tells the story of Selina D'Arcey (Hartman), a blind, 18-year-old girl who is sheltered from the outside world by her bigoted grandmother (Winters). In an effort to escape her oppressive home life, Selina meets an African American man (Poitier) who helps her to see the world in a new light. The film shows the struggles of a young, blind woman to find her place in the world, as well as the prejudice she faces due to her race and disability. It is a heart-warming, inspiring story of courage, hope, and self-discovery.

From Tomas Alfredson, starring Kåre Hedebrant, Lina Leandersson, Per Ragnar, Henrik Dahl
Rated R

Let the Right One In is a Swedish romantic horror film directed by Tomas Alfredson and released in 2008. It tells the story of a 12-year-old boy named Oskar who has difficulty making friends and is the target of bullying in his small town in Sweden. He meets a mysterious girl named Eli who has recently moved into the area with her father, and the two quickly become friends. However, Eli is not what she seems to be – she is a centuries-old vampire and her true identity is slowly revealed to Oskar as the story progresses. The film follows the two as they form a deep bond and Oskar must decide whether or not he can accept Eli for who she is. The film explores themes of love, identity, and friendship while also incorporating horror elements. It received critical acclaim upon its release and achieved a cult following.

From Hal Ashby, starring Ruth Gordon, Bud Cort, Vivian Pickles, Cyril Cusack
Rated PG

Harold and Maude is a romantic black comedy-drama directed by Hal Ashby and released in 1971. The film follows the relationship between Harold, a young man obsessed with death, and Maude, an eccentric, free-spirited elderly woman. Harold is drawn to her because of her zest for life and her profound insight into the human condition. As their friendship develops, they enter into a secret romance that changes Harold's life forever. Through their relationship, Harold learns to appreciate life, love, and the beauty of being alive.

From Fatih Akin, starring Birol Ünel, Sibel Kekilli, Güven Kiraç, Zarah Jane McKenzie
Rated R

Head-On is a 2004 German-Turkish drama film written and directed by Fatih Akin. It follows the story of two Turkish immigrants in Germany, Cahit and Sibel, who meet in a psychiatric hospital and decide to enter into a marriage of convenience to help each other with their respective struggles. The film focuses on themes of identity and self-discovery, as both Cahit and Sibel try to come to terms with their feelings and their place in the world. Over the course of the film, the two characters grow close, challenging their own preconceptions about the world and the people around them. Through the ups and downs of their relationship, the two learn to accept their differences, learn to trust each other, and ultimately find happiness and fulfillment in each other.

From Mervyn LeRoy, starring Ronald Colman, Greer Garson, Philip Dorn, Susan Peters
Rated Passed

Random Harvest is a 1942 romantic drama set in World War I-era England. The film follows the story of Charles Rainier, a shell-shocked soldier who, while lost in the fog, finds himself in a rural village and meets a young woman, Paula. Charles and Paula marry and live happily together until the war ends and he must return to his former life in London. Charles finds himself in a state of amnesia and cannot remember his past life. Paula is unable to locate Charles, and eventually moves on with her life. Charles, meanwhile, is reunited with his past identity and finds himself the head of a successful business. Charles' identity is eventually revealed, and Paula is found. The two are reunited and their past love is rekindled. However, the presence of Charles' past life threatens to keep them apart. Charles must make a decision between his past and his present. In the end, Charles and Paula stay together, and the film ends on a hopeful note.

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

Elevator to the Gallows is a 1958 French crime drama directed by Louis Malle. The film follows former war veterans Julien Tavernier (Maurice Ronet) and Florence Carala (Jeanne Moreau) who hatch a plan to murder Julien's employer and Florence's husband, wealthy industrialist Simon Carala. After Julien executes the plan, he is trapped in an elevator and Florence is left to wander the streets of Paris alone. As the story unfolds, it is revealed that Julien and Florence were having an affair and that Simon was aware of it. The film is a study of fate, chance, and the moral ambiguity of human behavior. It is considered to be one of the key films of the French New Wave.

From Irving Rapper, starring Bette Davis, Paul Henreid, Claude Rains, Gladys Cooper
Rated Passed

Now, Voyager is a 1942 American drama film starring Bette Davis, directed by Irving Rapper, and based on the 1941 novel of the same name by Olive Higgins Prouty. It tells the story of Charlotte Vale, a repressed spinster who is transformed into a woman of strength and independence by a psychiatrist, Dr. Jaquith. After her transformation, Charlotte embarks on a European cruise, where she meets and falls in love with Jerry Durrance. The film explores themes of repressed emotions and self-discovery, as well as the importance of relationships. Despite its dark themes, the film ends on a positive note, with Charlotte and Jerry embarking on a new chapter of their lives together.

From Michael Curtiz, starring Joan Crawford, Jack Carson, Zachary Scott, Eve Arden
Rated Approved

Mildred Pierce (Joan Crawford) is a single mother struggling to make ends meet in Depression-era Los Angeles who goes to great lengths to provide a better life for her two daughters. Despite her tireless efforts, Mildred’s elder daughter, Veda (Ann Blyth), remains ungrateful and resentful of her mother. When Mildred’s new husband, Monte (Zachary Scott), enters the picture, Veda finds her chance to escape her mother's control. In her quest for love and respect, Mildred begins a successful career as a restaurant owner, but soon finds herself in a web of deceit and betrayal, culminating in a shocking murder. In this classic noir, Mildred must fight to protect both her family and her own reputation.

From David Fincher, starring Daniel Craig, Rooney Mara, Christopher Plummer, Stellan Skarsgård
Rated R

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is a 2011 psychological crime thriller directed by David Fincher and based on the novel of the same name by Stieg Larsson. The story follows a journalist, Mikael Blomkvist (Daniel Craig), who is hired by a wealthy industrialist, Henrik Vanger (Christopher Plummer), to investigate the mysterious disappearance of his niece 40 years earlier. With the help of a brilliant and damaged young computer hacker, Lisbeth Salander (Rooney Mara), Blomkvist uncovers a dark and twisted web of secrets and lies, ultimately uncovering a family history of murder, abuse, and betrayal. The film is a thrilling and intense journey as the two unlikely allies uncover the truth.

From Directors: Kevin Altieri, Boyd Kirkland, Frank Paur, Dan Riba, Eric Radomski, Bruce Timm, starring Kevin Conroy, Dana Delany, Hart Bochner, Stacy Keach
Rated PG

Batman: Mask of the Phantasm is a 1993 animated superhero film featuring the DC Comics character Batman. Directed by Eric Radomski and Bruce Timm, the movie follows the vigilante's journey as he clashes with a mysterious vigilante known as the Phantasm who is murdering Gotham City's most dangerous criminals. The film also explores Bruce Wayne's past, revealing a romantic liaison with Andrea Beaumont that ultimately led to his life as Batman. In addition, Batman must defeat the criminal mastermind Carl Beaumont, who seeks to take control of Gotham City. The film features an all-star vocal cast, including Kevin Conroy, Mark Hamill, Stacy Keach, and Dana Delany. Batman: Mask of the Phantasm has since become a cult classic, and has been praised by fans and critics alike.

From William Wyler, starring Audrey Hepburn, Shirley MacLaine, James Garner, Miriam Hopkins
Rated Not Rated

The Children's Hour is a 1961 American drama film directed by William Wyler and starring Audrey Hepburn, Shirley MacLaine and James Garner. It tells the story of two women, Karen Wright (Hepburn) and Martha Dobie (MacLaine), who run a private school for girls. After a malicious student, Mary Tilford (Kathy Nolan), spreads a false rumor that they are having a lesbian affair, their lives and careers are ruined. The film is a remake of the 1936 stage play The Children's Hour by Lillian Hellman, which in turn was based on the notorious 1810 trial in Edinburgh, Scotland of two women accused of being "guilty" of engaging in a lesbian relationship. The Children's Hour examines the implications of gossip and the power of accusation in situations where individuals and society have less than full knowledge of the facts. The film was nominated for five Academy Awards, including Best Supporting Actress for Fay Bainter.

From Ang Lee, starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Heath Ledger, Michelle Williams, Randy Quaid
Rated R

Brokeback Mountain is a 2005 American romantic drama film directed by Ang Lee and based on the 1997 short story of the same name by Annie Proulx. The film tells the story of two young men, Ennis Del Mar (Heath Ledger) and Jack Twist (Jake Gyllenhaal), who meet in the summer of 1963 while herding sheep on the fictional Brokeback Mountain in Wyoming, and have a romantic relationship that lasts for decades. Despite their forbidden love, the two struggle to keep their relationship alive over the years, facing opposition from their families and society. The film also stars Michelle Williams, Anne Hathaway, and Randy Quaid. Brokeback Mountain was well-received by critics and audiences alike, earning multiple awards and nominations, including eight Academy Award nominations. The film won three Academy Awards, Best Director for Ang Lee, Best Adapted Screenplay for Larry McMurtry and Diana Ossana, and Best Original Score for Gustavo Santaolalla. It was also the first LGBT-themed Best Picture winner in the history of the Academy.

From Mervyn LeRoy, starring Vivien Leigh, Robert Taylor, Lucile Watson, Virginia Field
Rated Passed

"Waterloo Bridge" is a 1940 romantic drama set during the First World War. The film follows the story of Myra, a beautiful ballerina, and Roy, an officer in the British army. Despite the social conventions of the time, the two fall deeply in love. When Myra discovers she is pregnant, Roy sends her away, believing that he is about to be killed in battle. As the war rages on, Myra is left to fend for herself on the streets of London, facing the harsh realities of poverty, loneliness, and desperation. However, when the war ends, Roy miraculously returns, and they reunite, finding solace and love in each other's embrace.

From John Sturges, starring Yul Brynner, Steve McQueen, Charles Bronson, Eli Wallach
Rated Approved

The Magnificent Seven is a 1960 western directed by John Sturges. It stars Yul Brynner, Eli Wallach, Steve McQueen and Charles Bronson. The film follows seven American gunfighters who are hired by a small Mexican village to protect them from a group of bandits who are terrorizing them. After a bloody battle, the seven men are victorious and the villagers are saved. However, the victory comes at a great cost, with several of the gunfighters being killed in the process. The film has become a classic of the western genre and is widely considered to be one of the greatest westerns ever made.

From Gregg Araki, starring Brady Corbet, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Elisabeth Shue, Chase Ellison
Rated Unrated

Mysterious Skin is a 2004 American drama film by Gregg Araki, based on Scott Heim's 1995 novel of the same name. The story follows two young men, Neil and Brian, and how their lives are affected by a sexual abuse incident from their childhood. Neil, a teenage hustler, is haunted by his past, and Brian, a gifted athlete, has suppressed his memories and refuses to acknowledge his past. As both men search for the truth and come to terms with the abuse, their paths collide and they must confront their traumatic experiences. The film features strong performances from Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Brady Corbet, and Michelle Trachtenberg.

From Fred Zinnemann, starring Burt Lancaster, Montgomery Clift, Deborah Kerr, Donna Reed
Rated Passed

From Here to Eternity is a 1953 romantic drama set in 1941 in Hawaii, just before the attack on Pearl Harbor. It follows the lives of three U.S. Army soldiers, all stationed at the Schofield Barracks in Oahu. First is Private Robert E. Lee Prewitt, a former boxer who refuses to fight on orders from his commanding officer. Second is First Sergeant Milton Warden, who falls in love with the commanding officer's wife and finds himself in a dangerous situation. Finally, there's Private Angelo Maggio, who is harassed by a sadistic sergeant and winds up in prison. The characters each struggle with the military's strict regulations in the face of their own personal desires, and ultimately, the consequences of the Pearl Harbor attack.

From David Cronenberg, starring Naomi Watts, Viggo Mortensen, Armin Mueller-Stahl, Josef Altin
Rated R

Eastern Promises is a 2007 British-Canadian action thriller film directed by David Cronenberg and starring Viggo Mortensen, Naomi Watts, and Vincent Cassel. The film follows a driver (Mortensen) for a Russian mob family in London who has a chance encounter with a midwife (Watts) trying to solve a mystery. The driver is caught up in a world of violence and crime as he attempts to protect the midwife and her family. Along the way, he must battle Russian gangsters, the British police, and his own inner demons, all while navigating the dangerous waters of the London underworld. The film combines intense action sequences with a compelling story of redemption and a thought-provoking exploration of the cultural and criminal elements at work in modern-day London.

From Sidney Lumet, starring River Phoenix, Christine Lahti, Judd Hirsch, Jonas Abry
Rated PG-13

Running on Empty is a 1988 American drama film directed by Sidney Lumet and starring River Phoenix, Christine Lahti, Judd Hirsch and Martha Plimpton. It tells the story of two parents on the run from the FBI after being involved in a radical anti-war protest in the 1970s, and the effect their fugitive lifestyle has on their two teenage sons. The film follows the family as they navigate the complexities of living a life of secrecy and the resulting psychological toll it takes on them. Along the way, the sons must face the difficult decision of whether to follow in their parents' footsteps or to break away and lead their own lives. The film received three Academy Award nominations, including Best Supporting Actress for Lahti and Best Director for Lumet.