Movies About Sleep Deprivation

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

Fight Club is a 1999 American psychological drama film directed by David Fincher and starring Brad Pitt, Edward Norton, and Helena Bonham Carter. The film follows an unnamed narrator (Edward Norton) as he struggles with an existential crisis and forms an underground fight club with Tyler Durden (Brad Pitt), a mysterious soap salesman. The fight club's violence and nihilistic philosophy gradually spiral out of control, eventually leading to an all-out revolution against the corrupt, consumerist society and the destruction of corporate America. Through this, the film examines and critiques notions of masculinity, individuality and freedom and reflects on the nature of modern society.

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

Inception is a science fiction action film written and directed by Christopher Nolan and starring Leonardo DiCaprio. The film follows Dom Cobb, a skilled thief who performs corporate espionage by entering the subconscious of his targets. He is offered a chance at redemption by performing a seemingly impossible task: planting an idea in someone’s mind. He assembles a team of experts with unique abilities to help him succeed in this seemingly impossible task. Together they must navigate an ever-changing landscape of dream within dream as they work to complete their mission. The film explores the power of the mind to create and control dreams and the consequences of blurring the lines between reality and the dream world.

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

Taxi Driver is an acclaimed 1976 American drama film directed by Martin Scorsese and written by Paul Schrader. The film stars Robert De Niro as Travis Bickle, an unstable Vietnam War veteran who works as a taxi driver in New York City. Driven by loneliness, he attempts to save an underage prostitute and later plots to assassinate a presidential candidate. The film also stars Jodie Foster, Albert Brooks, Harvey Keitel, Leonard Harris, and Cybill Shepherd. The film focuses on Travis's psychological deterioration, as he becomes increasingly frustrated with the corruption and violence of the city. As his mental state begins to spiral out of control, Travis spirals ever further into the abyss of moral destruction and social alienation. The film received widespread critical acclaim and was nominated for four Academy Awards, including Best Picture. It has since become a landmark in cinema and an important influence on subsequent filmmakers.

From Don Siegel, starring Kevin McCarthy, Dana Wynter, Larry Gates, King Donovan
Rated Approved

Invasion of the Body Snatchers is a 1956 science fiction horror film directed by Don Siegel. The film tells the story of a small town in California that is invaded by aliens who take over the minds and bodies of the town's population. The protagonist, Dr. Miles Bennell, discovers the phenomenon and struggles to warn the townspeople before it is too late. With the help of his colleague and ex-girlfriend, Becky Driscoll, Bennell races against time to fight off the alien threat and save the town. As the situation intensifies, the townspeople become paranoid and hostile as they start to suspect one another of being "pod people" – humans who have had their minds and bodies replaced by alien replicas. In the end, Bennell and Driscoll narrowly escape the town with the knowledge that the alien invasion is far from over.

From Richard Linklater, starring Ethan Hawke, Trevor Jack Brooks, Lorelei Linklater, Wiley Wiggins
Rated R

Waking Life is an animated, philosophical exploration of the complex nature of reality. It follows the journey of a nameless protagonist as he wanders around a dream-like landscape and engages in conversations with a variety of people, ranging from children to adults. As the protagonist discovers more about himself and the world around him, he begins to ponder the meaning of life and his role within it. Along the way, he encounters a cast of characters who offer their own perspectives on life, death, free will, destiny, and the nature of existence. Ultimately, the film suggests that reality is not a fixed concept, but one that is constantly evolving and open to interpretation.

From Sofia Coppola, starring Bill Murray, Scarlett Johansson, Giovanni Ribisi, Anna Faris
Rated R

Lost in Translation tells the story of two strangers, Bob Harris (Bill Murray) and Charlotte (Scarlett Johansson), who meet while traveling in Tokyo. Bob is a middle-aged actor who has come to Japan to shoot an advertisement, while Charlotte is a young college graduate who is accompanying her photographer husband (Giovanni Ribisi). Both feel isolated and disconnected in the hustle and bustle of Tokyo, and soon form a unique bond. As their relationship deepens, Bob and Charlotte explore the city together, finding solace in each other’s company. Through their journey, they discover that sometimes a chance encounter can lead to unexpected connections. Ultimately, they gain a newfound appreciation for life’s complexities and the joys of friendship.

From Brad Anderson, starring Christian Bale, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Aitana Sánchez-Gijón, John Sharian
Rated R

The Machinist is a psychological thriller directed by Brad Anderson and starring Christian Bale. The film follows Trevor Reznik, an insomniac factory worker who has not slept in a year. As his physical health begins to deteriorate, Reznik begins to experience strange dreams and hallucinations that make him question his own mental health and the world around him. As the mystery of Reznik's insomnia and its connection to a past tragedy slowly unravels, he must confront the truth and find a way to come to terms with it. By the end of the film, the audience is left with an ambiguous but hopeful resolution to the story.

From Directors: Marc Caro, Jean-Pierre Jeunet, starring Ron Perlman, Daniel Emilfork, Judith Vittet, Dominique Pinon
Rated R

The City of Lost Children is a 1995 French science fiction fantasy film directed by Marc Caro and Jean-Pierre Jeunet. The story takes place in a surreal, steampunk-like world where a mad scientist named Krank is stealing children's dreams in order to stay alive. The only person who can stop him is an orphan named One, who teams up with a strong-willed circus performer named Miette and a group of outcasts in order to save the children and restore order to the city. Along the way, they must face many challenges including navigating the dark and chaotic cityscape, battling Krank's minions, and evading the traps he has set. With their courage and ingenuity, they eventually manage to save the children and restore balance to the city.

From Wes Craven, starring Heather Langenkamp, Johnny Depp, Robert Englund, John Saxon
Rated R

From Directors: Les Clark, Clyde Geronimi, Eric Larson, Wolfgang Reitherman, Hamilton Luske, starring Mary Costa, Bill Shirley, Eleanor Audley, Verna Felton
Rated G

From Christopher Nolan, starring Al Pacino, Robin Williams, Hilary Swank, Martin Donovan
Rated R

From Michel Gondry, starring Gael García Bernal, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Miou-Miou, Alain Chabat
Rated R

From Jaume Balagueró, starring Luis Tosar, Marta Etura, Alberto San Juan, Petra Martínez
Rated Not Rated

From Sean Ellis, starring Sean Biggerstaff, Emilia Fox, Michelle Ryan, Erica Ellis
Rated R

From Steven Soderbergh, starring Rooney Mara, Channing Tatum, Jude Law, Catherine Zeta-Jones
Rated R

From Gus Van Sant, starring River Phoenix, Keanu Reeves, James Russo, William Richert
Rated R

From Morten Tyldum, starring Jennifer Lawrence, Chris Pratt, Michael Sheen, Laurence Fishburne
Rated PG-13

From Ken Russell, starring William Hurt, Blair Brown, Bob Balaban, Charles Haid
Rated R

From Nora Ephron, starring Tom Hanks, Meg Ryan, Ross Malinger, Rita Wilson
Rated PG

From Apichatpong Weerasethakul, starring Jenjira Pongpas, Banlop Lomnoi, Jarinpattra Rueangram, Petcharat Chaiburi
Rated Unrated

From Directors: Mike Birbiglia, Seth Barrish, starring Mike Birbiglia, Lauren Ambrose, James Rebhorn, Carol Kane
Rated PG-13

From Chuck Russell, starring Heather Langenkamp, Robert Englund, Craig Wasson, Patricia Arquette
Rated R

From Ramón Salazar, starring Mónica Cervera, Pablo Puyol, Miguel O'Dogherty, Concha Galán
Rated Unrated

From Joby Harold, starring Hayden Christensen, Jessica Alba, Terrence Howard, Lena Olin
Rated R

From Wes Craven, starring Heather Langenkamp, Robert Englund, Jf Davis, Miko Hughes
Rated R