Movies About Loners

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

Fight Club is a 1999 film directed by David Fincher and starring Edward Norton, Brad Pitt and Helena Bonham Carter. It tells the story of a depressed, insomniac office worker and his transformation into a charismatic and dangerous anarchist known as Tyler Durden. The film follows the unnamed protagonist as he becomes involved in a subversive fight club and soap making business, both run by Durden. The fight club's growing popularity leads to the forming of an underground movement and a cult-like following. As the fight club becomes more and more popular, it begins to raise questions about modern society and its obsession with materialism. The film explores themes such as masculinity, identity, nihilism and consumerism, ultimately culminating in a scene of chaos and destruction.

From Sergio Leone, starring Clint Eastwood, Eli Wallach, Lee Van Cleef, Aldo Giuffrè
Rated R

The Good, the Bad and the Ugly is a classic 1966 spaghetti western directed by Sergio Leone. It stars Clint Eastwood as "The Man with No Name", Lee Van Cleef as "Angel Eyes" and Eli Wallach as "Tuco". The film follows the three characters as they make their way through the lawless West in search of a fortune in Confederate gold buried in a cemetery. Along the way, they are forced to confront their own personal demons as well as their own loyalties and alliances, ultimately discovering the true meaning of friendship and honor. The film is widely regarded as one of Leone's finest works and a classic of the Western genre.

From Milos Forman, starring Jack Nicholson, Louise Fletcher, Michael Berryman, Peter Brocco
Rated R

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest is a 1975 American drama film directed by Milos Forman, based on the 1962 novel of the same name by Ken Kesey. It stars Jack Nicholson as Randle McMurphy, a rebellious inmate in a mental institution, and Louise Fletcher as Nurse Ratched, the head nurse. The main plot follows McMurphy's clash with Nurse Ratched, who has a despotic hold over the inmates of the institution. Also featured are William Redfield, Brad Dourif, Danny DeVito, Christopher Lloyd, and Scatman Crothers. The film tells the story of McMurphy's attempt to escape the oppressive environment of the ward, and his attempts to liberate his fellow inmates by inspiring them to stand up for their rights. In the process, he clashes with Nurse Ratched, who is determined to maintain order and control. The film was a critical and commercial success and earned five Academy Award wins, including Best Picture, Best Actor for Nicholson, Best Actress for Fletcher, Best Director for Forman, and Best Adapted Screenplay. It is considered one of the greatest films of all time.

From Michael Curtiz, starring Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, Paul Henreid, Claude Rains
Rated PG

Casablanca is a classic romantic drama set amidst the chaos of World War II. It centers on Rick Blaine (Humphrey Bogart), a jaded expatriate who runs a nightclub in the Moroccan city of Casablanca. When Ilsa Lund (Ingrid Bergman) – the woman Rick once loved – and her husband, Victor Laszlo (Paul Henreid), a Czech resistance leader, arrive in Casablanca, Rick must choose between his own happiness and helping his former love and her husband escape from the Nazis. With a stellar supporting cast and a script full of witty dialogue and memorable moments, Casablanca is widely regarded as one of the greatest films ever made.

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

American Beauty is a 1999 American drama film directed by Sam Mendes and written by Alan Ball. The film stars Kevin Spacey, Annette Bening, Thora Birch, Mena Suvari, Wes Bentley, Chris Cooper, and Allison Janney in an ensemble cast. The film tells the story of Lester Burnham, a middle-aged advertising executive who has a midlife crisis when he becomes infatuated with his teenage daughter's best friend, Angela. His wife, Carolyn, and daughter, Jane, are unimpressed and increasingly distant, while his boss, Buddy Kane, is paranoid and controlling. As Lester's life spirals out of control, he finds redemption in the form of Angela's admiration, and in the beauty of the world around him. American Beauty explores themes of sexual desire, family dynamics, materialism, beauty, and repression. The film was a commercial and critical success, winning five Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor. It has since become a classic of modern cinema.

From Michael Mann, starring Al Pacino, Robert De Niro, Val Kilmer, Jon Voight
Rated R

Heat is a 1995 crime drama directed by Michael Mann and starring Robert De Niro and Al Pacino. The film follows two men: Neil McCauley (De Niro), a career criminal who is determined to make one last big heist and Vincent Hanna (Pacino), a relentless LAPD detective who is determined to stop him. As the stakes become higher, the two men become increasingly obsessed with one another and their lives begin to intertwine on a personal level. The film is filled with intense action and suspense as McCauley and his crew face off against Hanna and his team in a desperate attempt to pull off their heist. In the end, the two men find themselves in a fatal showdown in which both come to realize that they have more in common than they thought.

From Orson Welles, starring Orson Welles, Joseph Cotten, Dorothy Comingore, Agnes Moorehead
Rated PG

Citizen Kane is an American drama film directed by Orson Welles, who also co-wrote, produced, and starred in the film. The movie follows the life of Charles Foster Kane, an influential publishing magnate, from his childhood to his death. Through flashbacks, Kane’s life is explored, from his early days as a rich, privileged boy to his rise as a powerful newspaper magnate, and from his affair with a married woman to his ill-fated political career. In the end, the mysterious "Rosebud", the last word uttered by Kane, is revealed to be the key to understanding him. Citizen Kane has long been acclaimed as one of the greatest films ever made, having been hailed by many as Orson Welles’ masterpiece. It has won numerous awards, including an Academy Award for Best Writing, Original Screenplay.

From Jean-Pierre Jeunet, starring Audrey Tautou, Mathieu Kassovitz, Rufus, Lorella Cravotta
Rated R

Amélie is a whimsical romantic comedy set in modern day Paris. The film follows the life of Amélie Poulain, a shy and imaginative young woman who decides to change the lives of those around her for the better. After finding a lost treasure belonging to a former occupant of her apartment, she sets out on a mission to track down the owner and reunite him with the keepsake. This journey leads her to explore the quirky characters of her Montmartre neighborhood and unexpectedly leads her on a path of self-discovery. Along the way, she helps those around her to find joy and in the process finds love for herself.

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

Taxi Driver is a 1976 crime/drama film directed by Martin Scorsese and written by Paul Schrader. The film stars Robert De Niro as an ex-Marine and Vietnam veteran named Travis Bickle, who works as a night-time taxi driver in New York City. His experiences of the city's seedy underbelly leads him to become increasingly isolated and unhinged, and he develops an obsession with a young woman (Jodie Foster) whom he has become fixated on saving from her own exploitative lifestyle. As his mental state spirals further out of control, Bickle embarks on a vigilante mission to clean up the streets of New York. The film was nominated for four Academy Awards, including Best Picture.

From Vittorio De Sica, starring Carlo Battisti, Maria Pia Casilio, Lina Gennari, Ileana Simova
Rated Not Rated

Umberto D. is a powerful Italian neorealist drama film directed by Vittorio De Sica and starring Carlo Battisti as the title character. Umberto D. is a retired civil servant living on a very meager pension in post-WWII Rome. Unable to make ends meet, Umberto is faced with the prospect of being evicted from his apartment and having to take up residence in an old-age home. In an effort to save his home, Umberto hatches a plan to borrow money, but his efforts are unsuccessful. Umberto must also face the challenge of dealing with a young housemaid who is pregnant out of wedlock and the struggles of a small dog he has adopted. In the end, Umberto must accept that he is truly alone in life. The film is a poignant and heartbreaking portrait of a man who is struggling to maintain his dignity and pride in the face of poverty and loneliness.

From Ron Howard, starring Russell Crowe, Ed Harris, Jennifer Connelly, Christopher Plummer
Rated PG-13

A Beautiful Mind is a biographical drama film directed by Ron Howard and based on the life of John Forbes Nash Jr. The film follows John Nash, a genius mathematician, from his days as a graduate student at Princeton University to his development of a revolutionary theory in game theory and his later struggles with mental illness. After receiving the Nobel Prize in Economics, Nash's battle with paranoid schizophrenia begins, and his life spirals out of control, leading him to the brink of suicide. His wife, Alicia, remains devoted to him and helps him through his journey of recovery. With Alicia's determination, and the help of doctors, Nash eventually overcomes his illness and is able to lead a productive life as a mathematician. The film is an inspiring story of hope and courage in the face of mental illness.

From Roman Polanski, starring Jack Nicholson, Faye Dunaway, John Huston, Perry Lopez
Rated R

Chinatown is a 1974 American neo-noir mystery film, directed by Roman Polanski, and starring Jack Nicholson, Faye Dunaway, and John Huston. The film follows a private eye, J.J. "Jake" Gittes (Nicholson), who is hired by a mysterious woman, Evelyn Mulwray (Dunaway), to investigate her husband's infidelity. His investigation leads him to uncover a dark secret involving the city's water supply, a powerful and influential businessman, Noah Cross (Huston), and a web of corruption stretching throughout Los Angeles. As Jake delves deeper into the conspiracy, he finds himself in a dangerous situation, and must rely on his wits and detective skills to survive. The film was a critical and commercial success, and is widely considered to be one of the greatest films of all time.

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, starring Daniel Day-Lewis as Daniel Plainview, an oil prospector who is determined to make a fortune in the Southern California oil boom. The film follows Plainview's ruthless pursuit of wealth and power, and his descent into madness as his ambition and paranoia increase. Along the way, he meets a young preacher, Eli Sunday (Paul Dano), and the two become locked in a battle for the soul of the town, with Plainview ultimately emerging as the victor. The film also examines themes of religion, family, and morality, and is considered one of the greatest films of the 2000s.

From Gavin O'Connor, starring Tom Hardy, Nick Nolte, Joel Edgerton, Jennifer Morrison
Rated PG-13

Warrior is a 2011 sports drama film directed by Gavin O'Connor and starring Tom Hardy and Joel Edgerton. The film follows a former Marine, Tommy Conlon, who has returned home from Iraq and is struggling to find his place in life. In a desperate attempt to save his father's home from foreclosure, he enters an MMA tournament with a prize of $5 million. With the help of his estranged brother, Brendan, also an MMA fighter, the two train for the tournament and prepare for the ultimate battle. As the tournament progresses, the brothers must confront each other in the ring and confront the unresolved issues between them. In the end, only one will be victorious, but both must come to terms with their difficult pasts in order to move forward in life.

From Sergio Leone, starring Clint Eastwood, Lee Van Cleef, Gian Maria Volontè, Mara Krupp
Rated R

For a Few Dollars More is a 1965 Spaghetti Western directed by Sergio Leone. It stars Clint Eastwood, Lee Van Cleef, and Gian Maria Volonte in a tale of two bounty hunters who team up to capture a ruthless outlaw and his gang. The story follows the two bounty hunters as they traverse the desert pursuing a bandit and his gang. Along the way, they must face off against a rival bounty hunter, a ruthless outlaw, and a mysterious figure from Eastwood's past. As the two bounty hunters battle for the prize money and their own personal agenda, they discover a twist in the tale that will change their lives forever.

From James McTeigue, starring Hugo Weaving, Natalie Portman, Rupert Graves, Stephen Rea
Rated R

V for Vendetta is a 2005 dystopian political thriller film directed by James McTeigue and written by the Wachowski Brothers, based on the 1988 DC/Vertigo Comics limited series of the same name by Alan Moore and David Lloyd. Set in a future British society, the film centers on V, an enigmatic and anarchist freedom fighter who attempts to ignite a revolution through elaborate terrorist acts. He wears a Guy Fawkes mask and is aided by a young woman named Evey Hammond, whose life he saves. As they try to bring down the oppressive government, they come face to face with many obstacles, including the country’s leader, Adam Sutler. The film has been hailed as a timely tale of the power of the individual against the oppressive forces of a totalitarian state.

From Sean Penn, starring Emile Hirsch, Vince Vaughn, Catherine Keener, Marcia Gay Harden
Rated R

Into the Wild is the story of Christopher McCandless (Emile Hirsch), an idealistic and adventurous young man who, after graduating from college, sets out into the wilderness with little more than a backpack, some savings, and his beloved car. He embarks on a journey of self-discovery, determined to live off the land and find his own way in the world. Along the way, Christopher meets fascinating people, experiences both joy and tragedy, and ultimately finds a greater understanding of himself and the world around him. Ultimately, his journey takes him to Alaska, where he must confront the harsh realities of life and death in the wild and make the ultimate decision of whether to stay or to go.

From Harold Ramis, starring Bill Murray, Andie MacDowell, Chris Elliott, Stephen Tobolowsky
Rated PG

Groundhog Day is a romantic comedy film starring Bill Murray and directed by Harold Ramis. The plot follows weatherman Phil Connors (Murray) who is assigned to cover the annual Groundhog Day event in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, only to find himself reliving the same day again and again. Despite Phil's cynical attitude, over the course of many days he learns to appreciate the people around him and the beauty of life, eventually discovering the true meaning of happiness.

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 follows the story of Travis Henderson (Harry Dean Stanton), a man who has been missing for years and has suddenly reappeared in a desolate area of the Texas desert. Travis reunites with his brother, Walt (Dean Stockwell), and meets his 7-year-old son, Hunter (Hunter Carson). As Travis, Walt, and Hunter travel to Los Angeles, flashbacks reveal the story of Travis’ marriage to his wife Jane (Nastassja Kinski) and his subsequent disappearance. The film culminates in a dramatic scene at the Hollywood Bowl, where Travis must confront the secrets of his past. Throughout the film, Wenders captures the desolation of the Texas desert and the hope that exists within the characters’ journeys.

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

Mad Max: Fury Road is a 2015 post-apocalyptic action film directed by George Miller. The film stars Tom Hardy as Max, a lone warrior who is swept up in a quest to overthrow the tyrannical ruler Immortan Joe and his army of War Boys. Max joins forces with Imperator Furiosa, played by Charlize Theron, and a group of rebels in a high-octane road war to free Furiosa's group of oppressed women from Immortan Joe's grip. Along the way, they must battle formidable foes, extreme weather and treacherous terrain in a thrilling chase. The action-packed film is complemented by a powerful score from composer Tom Holkenborg. Mad Max: Fury Road is a visually stunning and emotionally charged adventure that pays homage to its predecessors while offering something fresh and exciting for a new generation of fans.

From Clint Eastwood, starring Clint Eastwood, Bee Vang, Christopher Carley, Ahney Her
Rated R

Gran Torino is a 2008 American drama film directed and produced by Clint Eastwood, who also starred in the film. The film follows Walt Kowalski, a Korean War veteran living in a predominantly Hmong neighborhood in Detroit, Michigan. After Walt's wife dies, he reluctantly befriends a teenage Hmong boy, Thao Vang Lor, who tries to steal his 1972 Gran Torino. Despite his initial reluctance, Walt defends Thao when he is harassed by a gang of Hmong youths, eventually coming to form a close bond with Thao and his family. Walt eventually takes it upon himself to mentor Thao and protect him from the gang and the growing number of Hmong gangs in the area. Throughout the film, Walt is forced to confront his past and his growing understanding of the Hmong culture.

From Stuart Rosenberg, starring Paul Newman, George Kennedy, Strother Martin, J.D. Cannon
Rated GP

Cool Hand Luke is a 1967 American prison drama film directed by Stuart Rosenberg and starring Paul Newman. The film tells the story of Luke Jackson, played by Newman, a free-spirited convict in a Florida prison camp who refuses to conform to the system. Despite numerous attempts by the prison authorities to break him, Luke's strength of character and sense of dignity prevail as he inspires his fellow prisoners to stand up against the oppressive forces of the camp. His relentless spirit in the face of adversity and his refusal to accept defeat form the central theme of the film. As his story unfolds, Luke's courage and determination to remain true to himself become a beacon of hope and a symbol of the power of the human spirit.

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

Her is a 2013 American science-fiction romantic comedy-drama film written, directed and produced by Spike Jonze. It tells the story of a lonely introvert (Theodore Twombly, played by Joaquin Phoenix) who falls in love with an artificially intelligent operating system (named "Samantha", voiced by Scarlett Johansson). Set in the future, the film examines the relationships between humans and technology, the nature of love, and the way in which people connect with each other. Theodore, a lonely and heart broken man, purchases a new operating system that promises to meet his every need and help improve his life. But what he finds instead is a remarkable and unique relationship with Samantha, the voice behind the system, that changes the way he views the world and his place in it.

From Paul Thomas Anderson, starring Tom Cruise, Jason Robards, Julianne Moore, Philip Seymour Hoffman
Rated R

Magnolia is an epic drama directed by Paul Thomas Anderson that follows the lives of several interrelated characters in the San Fernando Valley, California. It centers around the intersecting lives of three generations of men and their families as they struggle to make sense of the chaos that surrounds them. The characters must confront their own issues of love, loss, regret, and redemption as they face their present and future. Through a series of intertwining storylines, the characters learn that although life is unpredictable and sometimes tragic, they can still find solace and hope in each other. Ultimately, Magnolia is a film that explores the idea that we all share a common fate and that through understanding and compassion we can find strength in our similarities.

From Directors: Frank Miller, Quentin Tarantino, Robert Rodriguez, starring Mickey Rourke, Clive Owen, Bruce Willis, Jessica Alba
Rated R

Sin City is a neo-noir crime film released in 2005 and directed by Frank Miller, Quentin Tarantino, and Robert Rodriguez. It is based on Miller's graphic novel series of the same name. The film is about a collection of interconnected stories set in the fictional Basin City, which emphasizes the dark and tragic aspects of life in the city. The stories intertwine and revolve around a wide range of characters, such as a former cop who seeks revenge on a serial killer, a corrupt senator and his criminal associates, and a female vigilante who takes the law into her own hands. The film is renowned for its striking visual style, which uses a mixture of color, black and white, and computer-generated imagery to create a unique atmosphere.