Movies Similar To We Need To Talk About Kevin

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

Se7en follows two detectives, Somerset (Morgan Freeman) and Mills (Brad Pitt), as they investigate a series of murders inspired by the seven deadly sins. As they pursue the mysterious killer, they uncover a dark and twisted plot that leads them to a shocking conclusion. The film is a psychological thriller, emphasizing the detectives' investigation, the killer's perspective, and the moral ambiguity surrounding the crime. Along the way, the detectives must confront their own inner demons and their moral compass is tested as the killer forces them into increasingly difficult decisions.

From Frank Darabont, starring Tom Hanks, Michael Clarke Duncan, David Morse, Bonnie Hunt
Rated R

The Green Mile is a 1999 drama film directed by Frank Darabont, based on the Stephen King novel of the same name. The film tells the story of death row inmate John Coffey, played by Michael Clarke Duncan, who has a mysterious healing power. He is looked after by the prison guards, played by Tom Hanks and David Morse, who come to believe in his innocence. Meanwhile, Paul Edgecomb, played by Tom Hanks, struggles with his conscience as he has to decide Coffey's fate. In the end, Coffey's innocence is revealed and he is freed from prison, but at a price. The film is a powerful exploration of justice, mercy, and the human condition.

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 tells the story of Oh Dae-su, a man who is inexplicably imprisoned in a hotel room-like cell for 15 years without knowing his captor's motives. After being unexpectedly released, Oh Dae-su embarks on a quest for vengeance and to uncover the reasons behind his imprisonment. Along the way, Oh Dae-su discovers dark secrets about himself and the people around him, leading to a shocking revelation. The film is renowned for its intense action sequences and its twist ending.

From Denis Villeneuve, starring Lubna Azabal, Mélissa Désormeaux-Poulin, Maxim Gaudette, Mustafa Kamel
Rated R

Incendies tells the story of two siblings, Jeanne and Simon, who travel to the Middle East in search of their mother's past. After their mother Nawal's death, they are left with only a pair of mysterious letters, one for each of them, and a series of riddles that will lead them to the truth about their family. As they investigate, they unearth a dark and violent history of civil war, and a family secret so powerful it has the power to tear them apart. In the end, they discover that their mother had a double life and a hidden identity, and that her past is inextricably linked to their own.

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

The Hunt is a psychological thriller from director Thomas Vinterberg that follows the story of Lucas (Mads Mikkelsen), a highly respected and beloved kindergarten teacher in a small Danish village. After a series of misunderstandings, Lucas is wrongly accused of a heinous crime, and the quiet, close-knit community quickly turns against him. As his life spirals out of control, Lucas must fight to prove his innocence, despite the increasingly hostile environment he finds himself in. With a powerful performance by Mads Mikkelson, The Hunt paints an unforgettable portrait of a man falsely accused as he struggles to reclaim his dignity and honor.

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

Requiem for a Dream is a 2000 psychological drama film directed by Darren Aronofsky and starring Ellen Burstyn, Jared Leto, Jennifer Connelly, and Marlon Wayans. The film follows four characters in Brooklyn, New York – Harry Goldfarb (Leto), his mother Sarah Goldfarb (Burstyn), his girlfriend Marion Silver (Connelly), and his friend Tyrone C. Love (Wayans) – whose lives become intertwined as they each struggle with their addictions to drugs and/or their dreams of a better future. The various stories of their lives lead to tragedy and heartbreak, resulting in each character's own personal requiem.

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 crime-thriller film directed by the Coen brothers. Set in 1980s Texas, the film follows the story of Llewelyn Moss, a hunter who discovers the aftermath of a drug deal gone wrong and takes home a suitcase full of money. His decision to keep the money sets off a chain of events that puts him in the crosshairs of a ruthless assassin, Anton Chigurh, and an aging sheriff, Ed Tom Bell, who is struggling with his own inner demons. Moss’s actions propel the film’s plot as he is pursued across the desolate Texas landscape, with his pursuers gradually closing in on him. The film ultimately brings to light the themes of morality, fate, and justice as the characters grapple with the consequences of their choices.

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

The Celebration is a Danish film written and directed by Thomas Vinterberg and released in 1998. It tells the story of a family reunion held to celebrate the 60th birthday of Helge, the family patriarch. The party, however, turns into a confrontation as the family members confront each other with long-buried secrets and lies. The film follows the family's journey through denial, anger, and ultimately reconciliation as they come to terms with the truth and find their way back to each other. The Celebration is a powerful meditation on the nature of family, the power of secrets, and the ultimate strength of love.

From Bong Joon Ho, starring Song Kang-ho, Kim Sang-kyung, Roe-ha Kim, Jae-ho Song
Rated Not Rated

Memories of Murder is a 2003 crime thriller directed by Bong Joon Ho. Set in 1986, it follows two detectives, Park Doo-man (Song Kang Ho) and Cho Yong-koo (Kim Roh-ha) in their attempt to solve a series of brutal murders in a small rural town in South Korea. As the investigation progresses, the detectives uncover a tangled web of secrets and lies, but ultimately fail to find the killer. The film is a tense and suspenseful exploration of the psychological effects of unsolved crimes, as well as the corruption and incompetence of the Korean police force at the time.

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

Prisoners is a 2013 psychological thriller directed by Denis Villeneuve and starring Hugh Jackman, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Viola Davis. Set in a small Pennsylvania town, the story follows Keller Dover (Jackman), a father whose daughter and her friend are abducted. In order to find them, Dover takes matters into his own hands and kidnaps the prime suspect, Alex Jones (Paul Dano). Detective Loki (Gyllenhaal) is on the case, trying to find the girls and bring the perpetrator to justice. As the investigation progresses, Dover and Loki discover a series of dark secrets that will test both of their moral limits. The film explores themes of morality and justice, as well as the consequences of choices made in extreme situations. In the end, it is up to the viewer to decide who is truly the prisoner.

From Lars von Trier, starring Björk, Catherine Deneuve, David Morse, Peter Stormare
Rated R

Dancer in the Dark is the tale of Selma (Björk), a Czech immigrant living in rural Washington with her son, Gene. Selma works hard to make ends meet, but is losing her eyesight due to a hereditary disorder. Desperate to secure a future for her son, Selma begins to save up money for an operation to save his sight. Her only escape from reality is through her passion for musicals, which she watches obsessively at the local cinema. When her savings are stolen, Selma is forced into a life of crime in order to save Gene, leading to a dramatic climax. Throughout the film, the audience is left to ponder the question of how far someone is willing to go to protect the ones they love.

From Lukas Moodysson, starring Oksana Akinshina, Artyom Bogucharskiy, Pavel Ponomaryov, Lyubov Agapova
Rated R

Lilya 4-Ever is a 2002 Swedish-Danish-Estonian drama film written and directed by Lukas Moodysson. The film follows its protagonist, 16-year-old Lilya, who lives in a rundown apartment in the suburbs of a small town. After her mother leaves her, Lilya is left with no family and no money. Desperate and alone, she is taken in by her best friend, Volodya. When he too leaves her, she falls into a deep depression and turns to prostitution to make money. The film follows Lilya as she embarks on a downward spiral of desperation and hopelessness. With no way out, she eventually turns to human trafficking and ultimately finds herself in an even more desperate situation, with her only hope being an escape to a better life in America. In the end, Lilya 4-Ever is a powerful look at the struggles of a young girl trying to survive in a harsh world, and the tragic consequences of human trafficking.

From Lars von Trier, starring Emily Watson, Stellan Skarsgård, Katrin Cartlidge, Jean-Marc Barr
Rated R

Breaking the Waves is a 1996 drama film written and directed by Lars von Trier and starring Emily Watson. The film is set in the Scottish Highlands in the 1970s and tells the story of Bess McNeill, a naive young woman who falls in love with an oil-rig worker named Jan. Despite the disapproval of her deeply religious community, Bess marries Jan. However, an accident leaves Jan severely disabled and unable to communicate. Desperate to keep Jan alive, Bess begins to make a series of difficult choices that test her faith and lead to tragedy. The film is a powerful exploration of love and faith, and how far a person will go in pursuit of their convictions.

From Nicolas Winding Refn, starring Ryan Gosling, Carey Mulligan, Bryan Cranston, Albert Brooks
Rated R

Drive is a 2011 action-drama directed by Nicolas Winding Refn and starring Ryan Gosling. The film follows a Hollywood stunt driver (Gosling) who moonlights as a getaway driver in the criminal underworld. When a heist goes wrong and the driver becomes a target, he must go on the run to protect the woman he loves (Carey Mulligan). Along the way, he finds himself in a violent struggle between a notorious mob boss and a vengeful ex-con. Through a series of daring car chases and brutal fights, the driver must evade and outwit his pursuers in order to survive. The film is a gritty, stylish crime thriller that explores the power of loyalty and the limits of revenge.

From Jee-woon Kim, starring Lee Byung-hun, Choi Min-sik, Jeon Gook-hwan, Ho-jin Chun
Rated Not Rated

I Saw the Devil is a South Korean thriller film directed by Jee-woon Kim. It follows the story of a special agent (Byung-hun Lee) whose pregnant fiancee is murdered by a psychopathic serial killer (Oldboy's Min-sik Choi). Vowing vengeance, he begins a relentless pursuit of the killer and shows no mercy when he finally catches up with him. The confrontation between the two men evolves into a vicious cycle of violence and revenge, and the special agent must decide if his actions are morally right or if he has become a monster himself.

From Todd Solondz, starring Jane Adams, Jon Lovitz, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Dylan Baker
Rated NC-17

Happiness is an American black comedy-drama film written and directed by Todd Solondz, starring an ensemble cast of Philip Seymour Hoffman, Jane Adams, Dylan Baker, Lara Flynn Boyle, Jon Lovitz, Cynthia Stevenson, and Ben Gazzara. The film follows the lives of three sisters and the people around them, exploring themes of sexual desire, depression, loneliness, and the nature of relationships. Despite its often dark subject matter, the film is ultimately a story of hope, showing that with understanding and effort, even the most difficult of lives can still find happiness.

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

Zodiac is a 2007 American thriller film directed by David Fincher. Based on the Robert Graysmith book of the same name, the film tells the story of the hunt for the Zodiac Killer, an unidentified individual who terrorized Northern California with a series of murders and taunting letters sent to the newspapers in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The film stars Jake Gyllenhaal, Mark Ruffalo, Robert Downey Jr., and Anthony Edwards. The film focuses on Graysmith, a cartoonist and amateur detective, who becomes obsessed with the case, and the police officers, who are frustrated and unable to solve it. The film follows the investigation over many years, as the police and Graysmith attempt to eventually identify the killer. Through the course of their investigations, they make several suspects, but none of them match the evidence available. In the end, the killer's identity is never discovered. The film also explores the effects of media sensationalism and its ability to influence public opinion.

From Mikael Håfström, starring Andreas Wilson, Henrik Lundström, Gustaf Skarsgård, Linda Zilliacus
Rated Not Rated

Evil is a 2003 Swedish horror-thriller film directed by Mikael Håfström. The film follows a group of medical students who take part in a supposedly harmless experiment in which they are asked to stay in a dark room for an extended period of time. However, as the experiment progresses, they begin to experience strange visions and hallucinations that become increasingly terrifying. As they attempt to cope with their fears and the darkness, they soon realize that the experiment has unleashed something far more sinister than any of them could have ever imagined.

From Mary Harron, starring Christian Bale, Justin Theroux, Josh Lucas, Bill Sage
Rated R

American Psycho is a 2000 black comedy/horror film directed by Mary Harron and starring Christian Bale. It is based on the 1991 novel of the same name by Bret Easton Ellis. The film follows a wealthy Wall Street banker, Patrick Bateman (Bale), and his descent into violence and insanity. While outwardly conforming to 1980s yuppie culture, Patrick privately descends into a dark world of murder and depravity. At the same time, he is struggling to keep up with the demands of his peers, who are all living the high life in New York City. Patrick's mental breakdown leads to him believing that everyone around him is a fake and he begins to take out his aggression on anyone who crosses his path. The film also explores themes of consumerism, class, and societal norms, and is a satire of the modern world and its obsession with materialism and image.

From Todd Field, starring Kate Winslet, Jennifer Connelly, Patrick Wilson, Jackie Earle Haley
Rated R

Little Children is a 2006 drama directed by Todd Field, starring Kate Winslet and Patrick Wilson. The film follows the lives of two married couples in a suburb, Sarah and Brad, and Kathy and Richard, who are both struggling with the monotony of their everyday lives. When Brad and Sarah become close, they begin an affair that threatens to destroy their families. As the affair progresses, their lives and the lives of their children become intertwined, leading to dangerous consequences. The film explores themes of marriage, infidelity, and the consequences of our decisions.

From Michael Haneke, starring Susanne Lothar, Ulrich Mühe, Arno Frisch, Frank Giering
Rated Not Rated

Funny Games is a 1997 psychological thriller directed by Michael Haneke. The film follows a family of three—Anna, George, and their son Georgie—as the vacation in their lakeside home. Two young men arrive unannounced at their home and begin to terrorize them, engaging in sadistic games and forcing the family to participate in a series of dangerous and degrading tasks. As the family struggles to survive their terrifying ordeal, the two men become increasingly violent, leading the family to realize that escape may not be possible. Funny Games is a powerful exploration of violence and its repercussions, and is a haunting reminder of the fragility of life.

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

We Need to Talk About Kevin is a psychological drama directed by Lynne Ramsay that follows Eva Khatchadourian (Tilda Swinton) as she struggles to come to terms with the aftermath of a violent act committed by her son Kevin (Ezra Miller). The film follows Eva's journey, beginning with her pregnancy, as she reflects on her troubled relationship with her son. Through flashbacks, we see Eva's attempts to connect with Kevin and understand his increasingly violent behavior. The film is a gripping exploration of the complex relationship between mother and son, and the lingering guilt and responsibility felt by Eva in the aftermath of the tragedy.

From Lee Chang-dong, starring Yoo Ah-in, Steven Yeun, Jeon Jong-seo, Kim Soo-Kyung
Rated Not Rated

Burning is a 2018 South Korean psychological thriller film directed by Lee Chang-dong. The film follows an introverted young man named Lee Jong-su (Yoo Ah-in) who meets an old classmate, Shin Hae-mi (Jeon Jong-seo) and falls for her. When Shin Hae-mi returns from a trip to Africa, she introduces Jong-su to her wealthy and sophisticated new boyfriend, Ben (Steven Yeun). Although Jong-su initially feels threatened by Ben, a close friendship develops between the two men. However, Jong-su soon begins to suspect that Ben may be involved in a mysterious and sinister incident. Jong-su's investigation leads him to uncover a dark secret that could have devastating consequences for everyone involved.

From Michael Haneke, starring Isabelle Huppert, Annie Girardot, Benoît Magimel, Susanne Lothar
Rated R

The Piano Teacher is a psychological drama directed by Michael Haneke, starring Isabelle Huppert as the eponymous piano teacher, Erika Kohut. Erika is an emotionally repressed and isolated woman who works as an instructor at a prestigious Vienna music conservatory. After a young student and aspiring composer, Walter Klemmer, develops an obsession with her, she begins to lead a double life – on one hand, she appears to be a respectable teacher, while on the other, she starts to experiment with her own masochistic desires. As her relationship with Walter intensifies, Erika's repressed desires and hidden darkness are revealed, and she finds herself in a dangerous and desperate situation.

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

Nocturnal Animals is a 2016 neo-noir psychological thriller directed by Tom Ford and written by Ford and Austin Wright, based on Wright's 1993 novel Tony and Susan. The film stars Amy Adams, Jake Gyllenhaal, Michael Shannon, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Isla Fisher, Armie Hammer and Laura Linney. The story follows Susan Morrow (Adams), a wealthy art gallery owner, who is haunted by her ex-husband, Edward Sheffield (Gyllenhaal), and the violent tale he has sent her in the form of a novel. As she reads through the pages, she is drawn into the fictional story of a man whose family vacation turns deadly. The film shifts between Susan’s present-day life, her flashbacks to her past relationship with Edward, and the present-day events of the novel. Nocturnal Animals received positive reviews from critics, with many praising Ford's direction, Adams and Gyllenhaal's performances, and the film's visual style. It received numerous accolades, including a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor (Shannon).