Movies About Psychosis

From Todd Phillips, starring Joaquin Phoenix, Robert De Niro, Zazie Beetz, Frances Conroy
Rated R

Joker is a psychological thriller directed by Todd Phillips, starring Joaquin Phoenix as the titular character. The movie follows Arthur Fleck, a mentally disturbed loner who dreams of being a stand-up comedian. After a series of devastating events, Arthur descends into madness and eventually becomes the infamous criminal known as the Joker. As his chaotic reign of terror brings Gotham City to its knees, Arthur must confront the past that shaped him, and ultimately, discover his true identity.

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

"A Beautiful Mind" is a 2001 biographical drama film directed by Ron Howard and written by Akiva Goldsman. It follows the life of John Nash, an American mathematician who made fundamental contributions to game theory and differential geometry. The movie portrays Nash's mathematical genius and his struggles with schizophrenia, as well as his recovery process. It is based on the 1998 book A Beautiful Mind, written by Sylvia Nasar. The movie stars Russell Crowe as John Nash, alongside Ed Harris, Jennifer Connelly, Paul Bettany, Adam Goldberg, Judd Hirsch, and Josh Lucas in supporting roles. It follows Nash's remarkable journey as he overcomes his mental illness and struggles to be accepted by the scientific community. Throughout the movie, Nash is troubled by hallucinations and paranoid delusions. Ultimately, he discovers that his delusions are being caused by his schizophrenia, and he is able to recover and continue his work in mathematics. The movie won four Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Supporting Actress for Jennifer Connelly. It was also nominated for eight other Academy Awards.

From Ingmar Bergman, starring Harriet Andersson, Gunnar Björnstrand, Max von Sydow, Lars Passgård
Rated Not Rated

Through a Glass Darkly is a psychological drama written and directed by Ingmar Bergman. The film follows a family, Karin (Harriet Andersson), her husband Martin (Max von Sydow), and her brother, Minus (Lars Passgård), on a summer vacation in the Swedish countryside. While there, the family is joined by Karin's father (Gunnar Björnstrand), who suffers from a mental illness. As Karin's illness worsens, her family struggles to come to terms with her illness and come to terms with their own feelings of guilt, loss and grief. At the same time, Karin begins to experience visions that reveal a darkness that lies beneath the seemingly idyllic surface of their family life. As the family members struggle to make sense of their changing relationships, Karin ultimately comes to an epiphany that leads her to accept her illness and its implications. Through a Glass Darkly is a powerful and emotionally resonant exploration of mental illness and its effects on the family.

From David Lynch, starring Naomi Watts, Laura Harring, Justin Theroux, Jeanne Bates
Rated R

Mulholland Drive is a psychological thriller by director David Lynch. Set in contemporary Los Angeles, the film follows the story of two women: Betty Elms, an aspiring actress, and Rita, an amnesiac whose true identity is slowly revealed throughout the film. As their story progresses, the two women unravel a complex web of mystery and deceit. Along the way, they encounter a variety of characters from the seedy underbelly of the city, including a cowboy, a hitman, and a strange woman in an eerie apartment. The film also features a number of surreal dream sequences, showcasing Lynch's unique style of storytelling. The film culminates in an unpredictable twist ending that will leave viewers guessing long after the credits roll.

From Scott Hicks, starring Geoffrey Rush, Armin Mueller-Stahl, Justin Braine, Sonia Todd
Rated PG-13

Shine is a biographical drama film based on the life of Australian pianist David Helfgott. It follows David, who is the son of Jewish immigrants and a musical prodigy, as he is pushed to perfection by his father and eventually suffers a breakdown. After a long recovery, David rediscovers his love of music and embarks on an inspiring and triumphant return to the stage. Through a series of flashbacks, the film depicts the tumultuous events of David's life, including his escape from oppressive family life and his struggles with mental illness. The film ultimately celebrates David's resilience, determination, and inspiring journey back to the world of music.

From Darren Aronofsky, starring Sean Gullette, Mark Margolis, Ben Shenkman, Pamela Hart
Rated R

From Jean-Jacques Beineix, starring Jean-Hugues Anglade, Béatrice Dalle, Gérard Darmon, Consuelo De Haviland
Rated Unrated

From David Cronenberg, starring Ralph Fiennes, Miranda Richardson, Gabriel Byrne, Lynn Redgrave
Rated R