Movies About Obsession

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

American Beauty tells the story of middle-aged, suburbanite Lester Burnham, whose life is in disarray. He's stuck in a loveless marriage and isn't satisfied with his career, so he decides to make changes. After he meets his daughter's rebellious friend, Angela, he begins to reevaluate his priorities and plan for a new, more enjoyable life. Along the way, he confronts the people around him who have defined his life -- his wife, his daughter, his boss, and his neighbors -- and learns to take control of his life. At the same time, he discovers the beauty of the world around him, learning to appreciate life's simple pleasures. In the end, he finds true happiness and fulfillment, learning to truly live in the moment.

From Alfred Hitchcock, starring James Stewart, Kim Novak, Barbara Bel Geddes, Tom Helmore
Rated PG

Vertigo is a psychological thriller directed by Alfred Hitchcock and released in 1958. The story follows former police detective Scottie Ferguson (James Stewart), who is forced into early retirement after a tragedy leaves him with acrophobia (fear of heights). After his friend, Gavin Elster, asks him to follow his wife, Madeleine (Kim Novak), Scottie soon becomes obsessed with her and is drawn into a mysterious web of deceit and obsession. As Scottie attempts to unravel the truth of Madeleine’s identity and the reasons behind her strange behavior, he soon finds himself in a dangerous game of cat-and-mouse that threatens to leave him forever haunted by Vertigo.

From Rob Reiner, starring James Caan, Kathy Bates, Richard Farnsworth, Frances Sternhagen
Rated R

Misery is a psychological horror thriller directed by Rob Reiner and released in 1990, based on the novel of the same name by Stephen King. The film stars James Caan as Paul Sheldon, a novelist who is rescued from a car crash by Annie Wilkes (Kathy Bates), a deranged fan who turns out to be his "number one fan". Annie holds him prisoner in her remote cabin, where he must write a novel for her. His refusal to comply results in torture and psychological manipulation by Annie. Paul eventually outsmarts her and escapes, but not before a dramatic and violent confrontation. The film received critical acclaim and won Academy Awards for Best Actress (Bates) and Best Adapted Screenplay.

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

Zodiac is a psychological thriller directed by David Fincher and based on the true story of a serial killer who terrorized the San Francisco Bay Area in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Robert Graysmith (Jake Gyllenhaal), an editorial cartoonist for the San Francisco Chronicle, is determined to uncover the identity of the Zodiac killer, a mysterious figure who taunts the police and media with letters, cryptograms, and encoded messages. Through his own investigation and that of the authorities, Graysmith discovers the identity of the killer but is unable to prove his suspicions due to lack of evidence. The film follows the grueling, often fruitless search for the killer, as it showcases the effect that obsession with the case had on the lives of the people involved.

From Stanley Kubrick, starring Tom Cruise, Nicole Kidman, Todd Field, Sydney Pollack
Rated R

Eyes Wide Shut is a psychological drama directed by Stanley Kubrick and starring Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman. Set in New York City, the film follows the story of Dr. Bill Harford, a successful doctor whose seemingly perfect life is turned upside down when his wife, Alice, confesses to him that she has been tempted to have an affair. This revelation leads Bill on a nightlong journey of sexual and moral discovery. Along the way, he encounters a mysterious masked society, a dangerous cult, and a variety of characters whose secrets threaten to unravel his life. Ultimately, Bill's journey forces him to confront his own fears and desires, and to make a decision about his future.

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

From Jeff Nichols, starring Michael Shannon, Jessica Chastain, Shea Whigham, Tova Stewart
Rated R

From Martin Scorsese, starring Robert De Niro, Nick Nolte, Jessica Lange, Juliette Lewis
Rated R

From David Slade, starring Patrick Wilson, Elliot Page, Sandra Oh, Odessa Rae
Rated R

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

From Clint Eastwood, starring Clint Eastwood, Jessica Walter, Donna Mills, John Larch
Rated R

From Paul McGuigan, starring Josh Hartnett, Diane Kruger, Matthew Lillard, Rose Byrne
Rated PG-13

From Mark Romanek, starring Robin Williams, Connie Nielsen, Michael Vartan, Dylan Smith
Rated R

From Adrian Lyne, starring Jeremy Irons, Dominique Swain, Melanie Griffith, Frank Langella
Rated R

From Curtis Hanson, starring Annabella Sciorra, Rebecca De Mornay, Matt McCoy, Ernie Hudson
Rated R

From Alexandre Aja, starring Cécile de France, Maïwenn, Philippe Nahon, Franck Khalfoun
Rated R

From Jon Amiel, starring Sigourney Weaver, Holly Hunter, Dermot Mulroney, William McNamara
Rated R

From Miguel Arteta, starring Mike White, Chris Weitz, Lupe Ontiveros, Beth Colt
Rated R

From John Schlesinger, starring Melanie Griffith, Matthew Modine, Michael Keaton, Mako
Rated R

From Barbet Schroeder, starring Bridget Fonda, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Steven Weber, Peter Friedman
Rated R

From Jonathan Kaplan, starring Kurt Russell, Ray Liotta, Madeleine Stowe, Roger E. Mosley
Rated R

From James Foley, starring Mark Wahlberg, Reese Witherspoon, William Petersen, Amy Brenneman
Rated R

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

From John Schlesinger, starring Sally Field, Kiefer Sutherland, Ed Harris, Olivia Burnette
Rated R

From Michael Cristofer, starring Antonio Banderas, Angelina Jolie, Thomas Jane, Jack Thompson
Rated R