Movies About Lonely People

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

2001: A Space Odyssey is a science fiction epic directed by Stanley Kubrick that follows a voyage to Jupiter with the sentient computer, HAL, after the discovery of a mysterious black monolith affecting human evolution. The story is in four parts, The Dawn of Man; TMA-1, the Moon Monolith; and Jupiter Mission. In the first part, a tribe of apes is affected by the monolith, discovering tools and weapons, and experiencing the dawn of man. In the second part, an American spaceship discovers a monolith on the moon and sends out a signal. In the third part, a spaceship crew led by Dr. Dave Bowman and HAL head to Jupiter, and HAL begins to malfunction. In the fourth part, Bowman reaches Jupiter and discovers a mysterious, surrealistic environment. Ultimately, Bowman finds himself in a room full of similar monoliths, and is transformed into a star-child, his ultimate fate unknown.

From Thomas Vinterberg, starring Mads Mikkelsen, Thomas Bo Larsen, Annika Wedderkopp, Lasse Fogelstrøm
Rated R

The Hunt is a psychological drama that follows a small Danish town and its inhabitants. The story focuses on Lucas (Mads Mikkelsen), a quiet and well-liked man who works as a local kindergarten teacher. After an innocent misunderstanding, Lucas is accused of a shocking crime that he did not commit, and the entire town turns against him. As his life slowly unravels, Lucas must confront a dangerous and hostile world that is determined to see him suffer. With a powerful blend of emotion and tension, The Hunt takes a gripping and captivating look at the dark side of human nature.

From Akira Kurosawa, starring Toshirô Mifune, Eijirô Tôno, Tatsuya Nakadai, Yôko Tsukasa
Rated Not Rated

Yojimbo is a 1961 Japanese film directed by Akira Kurosawa and starring Toshiro Mifune as the title character. The story follows a masterless samurai (ronin) who arrives in a small rural town in Japan. The town is divided by two rival gangs, the silk merchants led by Ushitora, and the sake brewers led by Tokuemon. The ronin agrees to work for both gangs in an effort to turn them against one another and ultimately restore peace to the town. With his masterful swordplay and wry wit, he is able to outwit and outmaneuver each gang, setting up a thrilling finale in which he ultimately triumphs.

From George Miller, starring Tom Hardy, Charlize Theron, Nicholas Hoult, Zoë Kravitz
Rated R

Mad Max: Fury Road is a thrilling and action-packed post-apocalyptic adventure set in a world of chaos. Directed by George Miller, the film follows Max, a loner and drifter, who is brought into a turf war between a tyrannical ruler, Immortan Joe, and a group of rebels. As the stakes become higher, Max must join forces with Imperator Furiosa, a brave and defiant woman, to lead the rebels in a daring escape to a safe haven called the Green Place. Along their journey, they must battle against the violent forces of Immortan Joe, as well as the desert environment itself. With thrilling action sequences, breathtaking visuals, and a compelling story, Mad Max: Fury Road is a must-see for fans of the series.

From Wim Wenders, starring Harry Dean Stanton, Nastassja Kinski, Dean Stockwell, Sam Berry
Rated R

Paris, Texas is a 1984 film by German director Wim Wenders. It tells the story of Travis Henderson (Harry Dean Stanton), an enigmatic drifter who has been missing for four years and suddenly reappears in the desert of West Texas. He reunites with his brother, Walt (Dean Stockwell), and his seven-year-old son, Hunter (Hunter Carson). Walt and his wife, Anne (Aurore Clément), try to help Travis reconnect with his past and reunite with his long-lost love, Jane (Nastassja Kinski). As Travis and Hunter journey from Texas to Los Angeles in search of Jane, Travis attempts to come to terms with his past and the family he had left behind. Along the way, Travis is confronted with the ghosts of his past, as well as the truth about his lost love and his relationship with his son. Filled with emotional and visual power, Paris, Texas is a powerful exploration of loss, family, and ultimately, the search for redemption.

From Directors: Joel Coen, Ethan Coen, starring William H. Macy, Frances McDormand, Steve Buscemi, Peter Stormare
Rated R

Fargo is a darkly comic crime thriller directed by brothers Joel and Ethan Coen. The film follows Jerry Lundegaard, a desperate car salesman from Minnesota, who hires two criminals to kidnap his wife in order to extort money from his wealthy father-in-law. However, things quickly spiral out of control as a chain of unexpected events occur, leading to a series of murders. As the investigation unfolds, the small town of Fargo is thrown into an uproar. The film stars Frances McDormand, William H. Macy, and Steve Buscemi and has been hailed as one of the Coen brothers' most memorable and celebrated works.

From Directors: Dan Kwan, Daniel Scheinert, starring Michelle Yeoh, Stephanie Hsu, Jamie Lee Curtis, Ke Huy Quan
Rated R

Everything Everywhere All at Once is a 2022 adventure-comedy film directed by Dan Kwan and Daniel Scheinert. The film follows a young girl named Lyla as she embarks on a thrilling journey to find her missing dad. With the help of her friends, Lyla discovers an incredible world of interdimensional portals that can take her anywhere. Along the way, she learns to embrace the chaos of life, while also facing the fear and uncertainty of the unknown. An all-star cast, including Anna Kendrick, Rashida Jones, and Paul Rudd, join Lyla on her adventure as she discovers that everything is connected and that nothing is impossible.

From Xavier Dolan, starring Anne Dorval, Antoine Olivier Pilon, Suzanne Clément, Patrick Huard
Rated R

Mommy is a 2014 Canadian drama film written and directed by Xavier Dolan. The film follows the tumultuous and often volatile relationship between Diane 'Die' Després, a widowed single mother, and her troubled and rebellious son Steve, diagnosed with ADHD. As they struggle to make ends meet, they are aided by their neighbor Kyla, a former lawyer who has become agoraphobic due to her experiences with prejudice and discrimination. As the trio fight to find their place in a world that does not seem to understand them, they discover that together, with the power of love and understanding, they can overcome any obstacle.

From Wim Wenders, starring Bruno Ganz, Solveig Dommartin, Otto Sander, Curt Bois
Rated PG-13

Wings of Desire is a 1987 romantic fantasy drama directed by Wim Wenders. The film follows an angel, Damiel (Bruno Ganz), who has been watching over West Berlin for centuries. After falling in love with a human woman, Marion (Solveig Dommartin), he decides to become mortal so he can experience life and love with her. The film follows Damiel as he struggles with his newfound mortality, all the while his angelic companion Cassiel (Otto Sander) watches over him from the skies. The film reflects on the nature of life, love, and mortality, as well as giving an insight into the struggles of post-war Germany. Ultimately, Damiel and Marion's love is strong enough to overcome the boundaries of mortality and allow them to be together forever.

From Andrei Tarkovsky, starring Margarita Terekhova, Filipp Yankovskiy, Ignat Daniltsev, Oleg Yankovskiy
Rated Not Rated

Mirror is a 1975 Soviet drama film written and directed by the renowned Russian filmmaker Andrei Tarkovsky. The film consists of a series of memories, dreams, and conversations, all of which revolve around the life of the main character, Alexei. The film explores themes such as memory and nostalgia, as Alexei struggles to come to terms with the memories of his past. The film is notable for its unconventional and nonlinear narrative structure, as well as its use of flashbacks and recurring imagery. The film is widely considered to be one of Tarkovsky's greatest works, and has received critical acclaim for its artistic and philosophical content.

From Andrei Tarkovsky, starring Natalya Bondarchuk, Donatas Banionis, Jüri Järvet, Vladislav Dvorzhetskiy
Rated PG

Solaris is a 1972 Soviet science fiction art film written and directed by Andrei Tarkovsky, based on the 1961 novel of the same name by Polish writer Stanisław Lem. The film follows the crew of a space station orbiting the planet Solaris, which is under investigation for mysterious psychological activity. Kris Kelvin, a psychologist and space traveler, is sent to the station to investigate the situation and finds out that Solaris is a living, conscious being that communicates with the crew in strange ways. The crew members are forced to confront their deepest psychological issues and grapple with the existence of an extraterrestrial entity with the power to manipulate their subconscious. Through a series of dream-like sequences, Tarkovsky explores the idea of memory, identity, guilt, and redemption. Solaris is a thought-provoking and visually stunning work of science fiction cinema.

From Spike Jonze, starring Joaquin Phoenix, Amy Adams, Scarlett Johansson, Rooney Mara
Rated R

Her is a 2013 romantic science fiction drama film directed by Spike Jonze and starring Joaquin Phoenix, Amy Adams, Rooney Mara, and Scarlett Johansson. The story follows Theodore Twombly (Phoenix), a lonely, introverted man who develops a relationship with an artificially intelligent virtual assistant named Samantha (Johansson). As Theodore and Samantha grow closer, Theodore gradually finds himself opening up to her, leading him to confront his past and rethink his idea of companionship. Along the way, he learns to appreciate the beauty in human relationships and find his place in the world.

From John Ford, starring John Wayne, Jeffrey Hunter, Vera Miles, Ward Bond
Rated Passed

The Searchers is a classic western directed by John Ford and starring John Wayne. It follows the journey of Ethan Edwards (Wayne), a veteran of the Civil War, as he searches for his niece, Debbie, who was kidnapped by a Native American tribe. Along the way, he is accompanied by his adoptive nephew, Martin Pawley, and an ever-growing posse of increasingly desperate and desperate-looking ranchers. As they venture deeper into the wilderness, they come to realize that they are not just searching for Debbie, but also for their own sense of identity and purpose. Ultimately, they must decide whether to rescue Debbie from her captors, or to take revenge on them for what they've done. The film features some of the most iconic landscape imagery in cinematic history, and its themes of family, loyalty, and morality remain relevant to this day.

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

Let the Right One In is an acclaimed 2008 Swedish romantic horror film directed by Tomas Alfredson, based on the novel of the same name by John Ajvide Lindqvist. The story follows Oskar, a 12-year-old boy living in a suburb of Stockholm in 1982, who becomes friends with a young vampire girl, Eli, who moves into his apartment building. As their friendship develops, Oskar learns that Eli has been alive for centuries, and is doomed to remain a vampire forever. As Oskar is bullied by his classmates and Eli struggles with her fate, their friendship helps them find strength in each other. The film is a lyrical and moving tale about the power of friendship, love and trust.

From Matt Reeves, starring Robert Pattinson, Zoë Kravitz, Jeffrey Wright, Colin Farrell
Rated PG-13

The Batman is an upcoming 2022 American superhero film based on the DC Comics character Batman. Directed by Matt Reeves and written by Reeves and Mattson Tomlin, the film stars Robert Pattinson as Bruce Wayne / Batman, alongside Zoë Kravitz, Paul Dano, Jeffrey Wright, John Turturro, Peter Sarsgaard, Jayme Lawson, Andy Serkis, and Colin Farrell. The Batman follows Bruce Wayne as he begins his journey as the caped crusader, while also uncovering a deep conspiracy involving corruption in the Gotham City police department. As he works to solve the mystery, Bruce must confront a new rogues gallery of villains, including the Riddler, Penguin, and Catwoman. Through this journey, Bruce learns important lessons about justice and identity, as he strives to become the hero Gotham needs.

From Duncan Jones, starring Sam Rockwell, Kevin Spacey, Dominique McElligott, Rosie Shaw
Rated R

Moon is a science fiction movie set in the near future, directed by Duncan Jones. Sam Bell (Sam Rockwell) is a solitary astronaut working in a lunar mining base, with only an artificial intelligence named GERTY (voiced by Kevin Spacey) for company. After an accident, he finds out he is part of a corporate experiment of cloning, and that the base is populated by his clones. Sam must struggle to find a way to escape his oppressive situation and figure out what is happening to him, before his time is up.

From Nicolas Winding Refn, starring Ryan Gosling, Carey Mulligan, Bryan Cranston, Albert Brooks
Rated R

Drive is a 2011 action-crime-drama film written and directed by Danish filmmaker Nicolas Winding Refn. The film stars Ryan Gosling as a Hollywood stuntman who moonlights as a getaway driver, and features an ensemble cast including Carey Mulligan, Bryan Cranston, Albert Brooks, Oscar Isaac, Ron Perlman, and Christina Hendricks. The story follows the unnamed Driver (Gosling), a mysterious Hollywood stuntman and mechanic who works as a wheelman for criminals by night. When he falls in love with his neighbor Irene (Mulligan), he risks his life to help her find a way out of her problems when her husband, Standard (Isaac), is released from prison. The Driver must now battle a criminal underworld based in Los Angeles, as well as a corrupt police force that is determined to bring him down. The film highlights intense car chases and violent shootouts, as well as an exploration of themes such as love, fate, and morality. Drive was met with critical acclaim, with some calling it a modern classic, and went on to win several awards, including Best Director at the Cannes Film Festival.

From Kenneth Lonergan, starring Casey Affleck, Michelle Williams, Kyle Chandler, Lucas Hedges
Rated R

Manchester by the Sea is a 2016 film directed by Kenneth Lonergan that tells the story of Boston janitor Lee Chandler (Casey Affleck) who is suddenly made the legal guardian of his teenage nephew Patrick (Lucas Hedges) in his hometown of Manchester-by-the-Sea, Massachusetts. As Lee struggles to come to terms with his past and the death of his brother, he must also confront the community that he left behind. The film explores themes of grief, regret, and the power of family and community to both heal and hurt. Manchester by the Sea was a major critical success and was nominated for six Academy Awards, winning two for Best Actor (Casey Affleck) and Best Original Screenplay (Kenneth Lonergan).

From Sam Mendes, starring Tom Hanks, Tyler Hoechlin, Rob Maxey, Liam Aiken
Rated R

Road to Perdition is a 2002 American crime drama film directed by Sam Mendes. The film follows hitman Michael Sullivan (Tom Hanks), as he embarks on a journey of vengeance with his son, Michael Jr. (Tyler Hoechlin) in tow, after Sullivan’s employer and surrogate father, John Rooney (Paul Newman) orders the murder of Sullivan’s wife and older son. Along the way, Sullivan and his son must confront both the vengeful assassin, Harlen Maguire (Jude Law), and the mob boss, Connor Rooney (Daniel Craig). Sullivan must also come to terms with the fact that his own actions have led him to this fateful path of destruction.

From Alejandro G. Iñárritu, starring Michael Keaton, Zach Galifianakis, Edward Norton, Andrea Riseborough
Rated R

Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance) is a 2014 black comedy film directed by Alejandro G. Iñárritu and starring Michael Keaton as Riggan Thomson, a washed-up actor who became famous for playing the superhero Birdman in a film trilogy two decades ago. In the film, Thomson attempts to make a comeback on Broadway by directing and starring in his own play, but finds himself grappling with his own ego, as well as the cast and crew. As the production faces numerous obstacles, Thomson struggles to maintain his sanity and keep the play afloat. The film also features Edward Norton, Emma Stone, Zach Galifianakis, and Naomi Watts in supporting roles.

From Directors: Béla Tarr, Ágnes Hranitzky, starring János Derzsi, Erika Bók, Mihály Kormos, Ricsi
Rated Not Rated

The Turin Horse is a 2011 Hungarian drama film directed by Béla Tarr and Ágnes Hranitzky. It centers around the breakdown of a horse-drawn cab driver and his daughter living in a rural part of Hungary. After the horse is whipped by a passing nobleman, it refuses to work and the man and his daughter are forced to find other means of sustenance. Their daily struggle for survival is captured in long, unbroken takes, emphasizing the harsh and oppressive nature of their environment. The film paints a bleak and grim picture of life, with the characters never seeming to find a way out of their difficult situation. Ultimately, the film leaves viewers with a sense of the tragedy and hopelessness of life in this unforgiving world.

From Mike Leigh, starring David Thewlis, Lesley Sharp, Katrin Cartlidge, Greg Cruttwell
Rated Not Rated

Naked is a British drama film directed by Mike Leigh and written by Leigh and Göran Olsson. Starring David Thewlis, Katrin Cartlidge, Lesley Sharp, and Greg Cruttwell, the film follows the story of a young, homeless drifter named Johnny, whose life is a chaotic mix of joy and despair, humor and despair, and brutality and compassion. Johnny lives a nomadic life on the streets of London, taking shelter in abandoned buildings, having casual encounters with strangers, and ultimately relying on his own inner strength to cope with the harsh realities of life. Through a series of experiences, Johnny grows and discovers a new sense of freedom, but he also finds himself increasingly isolated and alone. In the end, Johnny's journey leads him to a place of redemption, a place where he can finally look himself in the eye and accept who he is.

From Tony Kaye, starring Adrien Brody, Christina Hendricks, Marcia Gay Harden, Lucy Liu
Rated Not Rated

Detachment is a 2011 drama film written and directed by Tony Kaye and starring Adrien Brody. The film follows Henry Barthes (Brody), an emotionally detached substitute teacher who forms unlikely bonds with the troubled students he is assigned to teach. He also becomes involved with a homeless teen girl (Sami Gayle) and a troubled colleague (Christina Hendricks). As a result of his interactions with these three troubled individuals, he begins to see the world in a new light and finds himself struggling to stay detached. The film explores themes of alienation, depression, and the importance of human connection.

From Darius Marder, starring Riz Ahmed, Olivia Cooke, Paul Raci, Lauren Ridloff
Rated R

"Sound of Metal" is a 2019 drama directed by Darius Marder. The film follows a heavy metal drummer named Ruben (Riz Ahmed) whose life is suddenly upended when he begins to lose his hearing. With the help of a former addict and veteran (Paul Raci) who runs a recovery home for deaf addicts, Ruben embarks on a journey of self-discovery as he adapts to his new life, struggling to reconcile his sense of identity with the loss of his hearing. Ultimately, Ruben must confront the difficult reality of his new life and decide what is truly most important to him.

From Nimród Antal, starring Sándor Csányi, Eszter Balla, Zoltán Mucsi, Csaba Pindroch
Rated R

Control is a 2003 crime thriller directed by Nimród Antal. It follows the story of a young man named Csaba, a poor Hungarian living in a small village. After getting involved with the wrong people, Csaba is forced to take part in a robbery that goes wrong. He finds himself on the run from both the police and the mob. In order to save himself, Csaba must take control of his own future and make the choices needed to protect himself. The film is a tense and gripping thriller, as Csaba navigates the criminal underworld and tries to stay one step ahead of his pursuers. Along the way, he discovers the importance of taking control of his own life and making his own decisions. In the end, he finds the strength and courage to overcome the odds and make his own destiny.