Movies Like We Need To Talk About Kevin

From David Fincher, starring Morgan Freeman, Brad Pitt, Kevin Spacey, Andrew Kevin Walker
Rated R

Se7en is a psychological thriller about two detectives, David Mills (Brad Pitt) and William Somerset (Morgan Freeman), investigating a series of murders with seemingly no motive. As they uncover the grisly details, the detectives realize that the killer is on a mission to punish seven people for the seven deadly sins. The detectives close in on the murderer, only to discover a shocking and twisted conclusion. Along their journey, they must confront their own morality and mortality as they cross paths with a disturbed criminal mastermind.

From Francis Ford Coppola, starring Martin Sheen, Marlon Brando, Robert Duvall, Frederic Forrest
Rated R

Apocalypse Now is a Vietnam War epic directed by Francis Ford Coppola in 1979. It stars Martin Sheen as Captain Willard, an Army special operations officer sent on a mission to assassinate a renegade Green Beret who is believed to have gone insane and become a threat to U.S. forces. Willard's journey takes him up the Nung River and into Cambodia, where he is exposed to the horrors of war and finds himself facing off against some of the most notorious figures of the conflict. The film is an exploration of the madness and terror of war, as well as its devastating effects on the human psyche.

From Stanley Kubrick, starring Jack Nicholson, Shelley Duvall, Danny Lloyd, Scatman Crothers
Rated R

The Shining is a 1980 psychological horror film directed by Stanley Kubrick. It stars Jack Nicholson as Jack Torrance, a writer and recovering alcoholic who accepts a job as the off-season caretaker of the isolated historic Overlook Hotel in the Colorado Rockies. His young son Danny, gifted with psychic abilities, is able to see horrific visions from the past and from the future. Jack's descent into madness is triggered by supernatural forces within the hotel. Wendy, Danny's mother and Jack's wife, struggles to protect Danny and herself from Jack's erratic behavior. As the hotel's sinister past is revealed, the family is forced to confront their own demons in an effort to escape the hotel's malevolent forces.

From Park Chan-wook, starring Choi Min-sik, Yoo Ji-tae, Kang Hye-jeong, Kim Byeong-Ok
Rated R

Oldboy is a 2003 South Korean psychological thriller film directed by Park Chan-wook. It stars Choi Min-sik as a man who is kidnapped and imprisoned for fifteen years without explanation. After his sudden release, he goes on a quest for revenge against his captors. Along the way, he discovers the truth behind his extreme detention and the motives behind his captors. Oldboy is a complex and often violent tale of one man's revenge and his journey of self-discovery.

From Darren Aronofsky, starring Ellen Burstyn, Jared Leto, Jennifer Connelly, Marlon Wayans
Rated R

Requiem for a Dream is a 2000 American psychological drama film directed by Darren Aronofsky and starring Ellen Burstyn, Jared Leto, Jennifer Connelly, and Marlon Wayans. The film depicts four different stories that are linked by the central theme of drug addiction. It is based on Hubert Selby Jr.'s novel of the same name. The story follows the lives of four individuals in Brooklyn, New York. Harry Goldfarb (Leto) is an aspiring drug dealer who dreams of making enough money to buy his own apartment and take his overbearing mother (Burstyn), who is addicted to diet pills and television, on a Caribbean cruise. His girlfriend Marion (Connelly) is a former drug addict whose attempts to get clean are derailed by her desire to make money to open her own clothing store. Tyrone (Wayans) is Harry's friend and fellow drug dealer. He is struggling to get out of poverty and to make a better life for his girlfriend, who is pregnant. The film follows each character's attempts to fulfill their dreams and their subsequent descent into addiction and desperation. As their dreams become increasingly unattainable, the characters struggle to maintain their sanity in the face of their crumbling lives. In

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

The Hunt is a 2012 Danish drama film written and directed by Thomas Vinterberg. It stars Mads Mikkelsen as Lucas, a man who is wrongfully accused of sexual assault, and is driven out of his small town as a result. As the townspeople turn against him, Lucas begins to fight for his innocence and reputation, no matter the cost. The story is set against the backdrop of a rural Danish community, and examines themes such as trust and the power of accusation. The film won numerous awards, including the Jury Prize at Cannes, and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.

From Martin Scorsese, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Emily Mortimer, Mark Ruffalo, Ben Kingsley
Rated R

"Shutter Island" is a psychological thriller directed by Martin Scorsese and starring Leonardo DiCaprio. The film follows U.S. Marshal Teddy Daniels (DiCaprio) as he investigates the mysterious disappearance of a patient from Shutter Island's Ashecliffe Hospital, a fortress-like mental institution located on a remote island near Boston. With his partner Chuck (Mark Ruffalo), Teddy discovers the hospital's disturbing secrets, including unethical experiments conducted by its staff and a sinister conspiracy involving the hospital's director (Ben Kingsley). As Teddy and Chuck get closer to the truth, they must confront the dark forces at the heart of Shutter Island and the truth about Teddy's past.

From Directors: Ethan Coen, Joel Coen, starring Tommy Lee Jones, Javier Bardem, Josh Brolin, Woody Harrelson
Rated R

No Country for Old Men is a 2007 neo-Western crime thriller directed by Joel and Ethan Coen. The movie follows a hunter, Llewelyn Moss, who discovers a drug deal gone bad and two million dollars in cash. Unfortunately, he is not the only one looking for the money, as a sociopathic killer, Anton Chigurh, is also on the hunt. Moss and Chigurh engage in a dangerous game of cat and mouse, and Sheriff Ed Tom Bell is tasked with tracking them down. Along the way, Bell muses on the changing nature of the world and his own sense of justice. In the end, Moss, Chigurh, and Bell must all face their own fates.

From Denis Villeneuve, starring Hugh Jackman, Jake Gyllenhaal, Viola Davis, Melissa Leo
Rated R

Prisoners is a 2013 crime thriller directed by Denis Villeneuve. The film tells the story of two families whose children are kidnapped, and the father of one of the kidnapped children takes matters into his own hands in order to find his daughter. Keller Dover (Hugh Jackman) and his wife (Maria Bello) search frantically for their daughter and her friend, with the help of Detective Loki (Jake Gyllenhaal). As the investigation deepens, dark secrets are revealed and the lives of the characters become increasingly intertwined. The film explores themes of parenting, loyalty, justice and morality, as Keller and Loki race to find the missing children before it's too late.

From David Fincher, starring Ben Affleck, Rosamund Pike, Neil Patrick Harris, Tyler Perry
Rated R

Gone Girl is a 2014 American psychological thriller directed by David Fincher and written by Gillian Flynn based on her 2012 novel of the same name. The film stars Ben Affleck, Rosamund Pike, Neil Patrick Harris, and Tyler Perry. The story follows Nick Dunne (Affleck), who becomes the prime suspect in the sudden disappearance of his wife, Amy (Pike). As the police investigation unfolds and media attention intensifies, Nick's portrait of a blissful union begins to crumble. Soon, his lies, deceits and strange behavior have everyone asking the same dark question: Did Nick Dunne kill his wife? The film explores themes of gender roles, marriage, and trust, while delving into the character's motivations and the police investigation. With its intricate plot and Hitchcockian visuals, the film has garnered widespread critical acclaim.

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

Fargo is a 1996 crime comedy-drama film written, produced, and directed by Joel and Ethan Coen. The film stars Frances McDormand as a pregnant police chief investigating a series of homicides that ensue after a desperate car salesman (William H. Macy) hires two criminals (Steve Buscemi and Peter Stormare) to kidnap his wife in order to extort a ransom from his wealthy father-in-law. As the investigation progresses, it leads to a series of amusingly dark scenes that ultimately culminate in an unexpected and ironic resolution. The film has gained much acclaim for its quirky black comedy, masterful direction, and strong performances from the lead cast.

From Thomas Vinterberg, starring Ulrich Thomsen, Henning Moritzen, Thomas Bo Larsen, Paprika Steen
Rated R

The Celebration is a 1998 Danish drama film written and directed by Thomas Vinterberg. It follows a family gathering to celebrate their father's 60th birthday at their manor home. During the celebration, a dark family secret is revealed which causes the siblings to reexamine their past and present relationships, leading to an emotional and cathartic conclusion. The film stars Ulrich Thomsen, Henning Moritzen, Thomas Bo Larsen, Paprika Steen and Trine Dyrholm. It won the Special Jury Prize at the 1998 Cannes Film Festival, and was the first film released under the Dogme 95 movement.

From Clint Eastwood, starring Sean Penn, Tim Robbins, Kevin Bacon, Emmy Rossum
Rated R

Mystic River is a 2003 American drama film directed by Clint Eastwood and written by Brian Helgeland. It stars Sean Penn, Tim Robbins, Kevin Bacon, Laurence Fishburne, Marcia Gay Harden, Laura Linney, and Emmy Rossum. The film follows three childhood friends from a working-class Boston neighborhood—Jimmy Markum (Penn), Sean Devine (Bacon), and Dave Boyle (Robbins)—who are reunited when Markum's 19-year-old daughter is brutally murdered. Markum, the father of the slain girl, is determined to find her killer and seek justice for her death. The film is an exploration of grief, loss, redemption and revenge, and how these themes affect the characters and their relationships. It is also a story of guilt, retribution, and ultimately, of hope and healing. As the investigation continues, the three men come to terms with their own pasts and their personal demons, while they come together to bring closure to the tragedy that shattered their lives.

From Dan Gilroy, starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Rene Russo, Bill Paxton, Riz Ahmed
Rated R

Nightcrawler is a 2014 crime thriller directed by Dan Gilroy, starring Jake Gyllenhaal as Lou Bloom, a driven and ambitious crime journalist who "crawls" the night streets of Los Angeles in search of the most lurid and sensational news stories. When Bloom enters the world of "nightcrawling," he finds himself in a dark and dangerous underground of crime and violence. With the help of his business partner, Rick (Riz Ahmed), Bloom quickly becomes the go-to source for shocking footage that is valued by a local news station. But as Bloom's ambition grows, his tactics become increasingly risky, and he begins to cross ethical and legal boundaries. As Bloom's presence in the night becomes more and more dangerous, it is only a matter of time before his activities will put him in jeopardy.

From Francis Ford Coppola, starring Gene Hackman, John Cazale, Allen Garfield, Frederic Forrest
Rated PG

The Conversation is a 1974 American mystery thriller film written, produced, and directed by Francis Ford Coppola. The film follows a surveillance expert (Gene Hackman) whose recordings of a couple's conversation become entangled in a larger mystery of a potential murder. As he delves further into the case, the increasingly paranoid protagonist begins to question his own morality and ethics. The film is widely considered to be one of the greatest films of the 1970s, and is lauded for its exploration of surveillance, privacy, and technology.

From Michael Haneke, starring Christian Friedel, Ernst Jacobi, Leonie Benesch, Ulrich Tukur
Rated R

The White Ribbon is a 2009 drama film directed by Michael Haneke set in a rural, Protestant village in Germany on the eve of World War I. It follows the story of the villagers, who are seemingly haunted by an unknown evil, whose identities remain a mystery. An enigmatic, authoritarian schoolteacher is the only one who seems to notice the strange, horrific events unfolding around him, which begin with a series of inexplicable accidents. As the story progresses, the relationships between the villagers are tested, secrets are revealed, and a series of disturbing events leads to a shocking conclusion. The film examines morality and the effects of authoritarianism, as well as the effects of a repressive society on the individual, and leaves the viewer to draw their own conclusions.

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

Zodiac is a 2007 mystery-thriller film directed by David Fincher and starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Mark Ruffalo, Robert Downey Jr., and Anthony Edwards. Based on the true story of the unsolved Zodiac killer murders in the San Francisco Bay Area during the late 1960s and early 70s, the film follows investigative reporter Robert Graysmith (Gyllenhaal) and cartoonist Paul Avery (Downey Jr.), as they follow the different leads and clues that may lead to the identity of the serial killer. Along the way, they encounter many obstacles, including the intense cover-up efforts of the San Francisco police department and their own personal demons. The film is a dark, suspenseful exploration of obsession, paranoia, and the dark side of human nature.

From Alejandro Amenábar, starring Nicole Kidman, Christopher Eccleston, Fionnula Flanagan, Alakina Mann
Rated PG-13

The Others is a 2001 psychological horror film directed by Alejandro Amenábar. It stars Nicole Kidman as Grace Stewart, a spiritual and religious woman living in a secluded English manor on the island of Jersey with her two young children. When a trio of mysterious servants arrive to help Grace with the house and children, strange events begin to occur that suggest the presence of supernatural forces. Grace gradually discovers the truth about her new housemates and is forced to confront her deepest fears in order to protect her family. As the suspense builds, the audience is introduced to a shocking twist ending that reveals the truth about the house, the family, and the supernatural beings that haunt them.

From Ben Affleck, starring Morgan Freeman, Ed Harris, Casey Affleck, Michelle Monaghan
Rated R

Gone Baby Gone is an American crime drama film directed by Ben Affleck and based on the 1998 novel by Dennis Lehane. The story follows two private investigators, Patrick Kenzie and Angela Gennaro, as they search for a missing four-year-old girl in the Boston neighborhood of Dorchester. As the case becomes increasingly complex, the investigators must make difficult ethical decisions. The film features an ensemble cast including Casey Affleck, Michelle Monaghan, Morgan Freeman, Ed Harris, and Amy Ryan. It received Academy Award nominations for Best Supporting Actress (Amy Ryan) and Best Adapted Screenplay (Ben Affleck and Aaron Stockard).

From Directors: Joel Coen, Ethan Coen, starring John Getz, Frances McDormand, Dan Hedaya, M. Emmet Walsh
Rated R

Blood Simple is a 1984 neo-noir crime film directed by Joel and Ethan Coen. It tells the story of a bar owner who is driven to desperate measures when he suspects his wife of having an affair with one of his employees. He hires a private detective to investigate the situation, which eventually leads to a series of double-crosses and murder. The film stars John Getz, Frances McDormand, Dan Hedaya, and M. Emmet Walsh, and features dark humor and irony throughout. The Coen brothers wrote and directed the film, and it won several awards, including the Grand Jury Prize at the 1985 Sundance Film Festival.

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

Eyes Wide Shut is a 1999 erotic psychological drama directed by Stanley Kubrick and starring Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman. The film follows Doctor Bill Harford, a successful New York City doctor, and his wife, Alice, a stay-at-home mother. After a heated argument between the couple regarding Alice's hidden desires, Bill embarks on a surreal journey of sexual and moral discovery. As Bill dives further into the city's secret underworld, he finds himself in a dangerous and compromising situation. Through his misadventures, he discovers the fragility of his own marriage and the true nature of his wife's desires. As Bill gets closer to the truth, he must make a choice between his marriage and his newfound freedom.

From Tom Ford, starring Amy Adams, Jake Gyllenhaal, Michael Shannon, Aaron Taylor-Johnson
Rated R

Nocturnal Animals is a psychological thriller directed by Tom Ford, starring Amy Adams, Jake Gyllenhaal, Michael Shannon, and Aaron Taylor-Johnson. The film follows Susan Morrow (Adams), an art gallery owner, who is sent a book manuscript from her ex-husband, Edward Sheffield (Gyllenhaal). As she reads the manuscript, she is transported into a thrilling, violent story set in West Texas. The story revolves around a man named Tony Hastings (Gyllenhaal), who is on a road trip with his wife and daughter when they are kidnapped and brutally attacked by a group of degenerates. In pursuit of justice, Tony faces a long, twisted journey of revenge, redemption, and self-discovery. Through this book, Edward attempts to reconnect with Susan, and she must confront the darkness of their past relationship.

From John Krasinski, starring Emily Blunt, John Krasinski, Millicent Simmonds, Noah Jupe
Rated PG-13

A Quiet Place is a 2018 horror film directed by John Krasinski. The story follows a family living an isolated life in complete silence, hiding from mysterious creatures that hunt by sound. The family must find ways to survive, protect their children and make it through each day without making a sound. As they struggle to survive, they must also figure out how to defeat the creatures that hunt them. Along the way, they must confront their fears and confront the fate of their family.

From Danny Boyle, starring Cillian Murphy, Naomie Harris, Christopher Eccleston, Alex Palmer
Rated R

28 Days Later... is a 2002 post-apocalyptic horror film directed by Danny Boyle. The film follows Jim (Cillian Murphy), a young man who wakes up from a coma in a deserted hospital in London to find that a devastating virus has swept the city. He soon discovers that the virus has killed most of the population, turning the few remaining survivors into mindless, violent zombies. As Jim travels across England in search of other survivors, he meets a group of fellow survivors, including Selena (Naomie Harris), a tough but caring woman, and Frank (Brendan Gleeson), an old soldier. Together, they must fight for survival as they face the infected, makeshift gangs, and the military as they search for a safe haven. The film is a thrilling, action-packed story of survival and hope in a post-apocalyptic world.

From Lynne Ramsay, starring Tilda Swinton, John C. Reilly, Ezra Miller, Jasper Newell
Rated R

We Need to Talk About Kevin tells the story of a mother, Eva Khatchadourian (Tilda Swinton), whose son, Kevin (Ezra Miller), has committed a horrific high school massacre. In the aftermath of the tragedy, Eva is overwhelmed with guilt and regret as she struggles to cope with the public's outrage and her own feelings of maternal failure. With flashbacks to Kevin's difficult childhood, the film explores the complex relationship between mother and son, and Eva's attempts to make sense of her son's violent behavior and her own role in it. Ultimately, We Need to Talk About Kevin is a haunting, thought-provoking exploration of the often strained dynamic between parent and child, as well as the capacity for evil that lurks within us all.