Movies Where The Bad Guy Wins

From Christopher Nolan, starring Christian Bale, Heath Ledger, Aaron Eckhart, Michael Caine
Rated PG-13

The Dark Knight is the second installment in Christopher Nolan's Batman film trilogy. The movie follows Bruce Wayne, better known as the iconic superhero Batman (Christian Bale), as he battles the villainous Joker (Heath Ledger) and his criminal gang in an epic fight for justice and the safety of Gotham City. With the help of his allies, including police lieutenant Jim Gordon (Gary Oldman) and District Attorney Harvey Dent (Aaron Eckhart), Batman attempts to bring an end to the Joker's chaos, while struggling to keep his own secrets under wraps. The Dark Knight is a thrilling action-packed movie that highlights themes of justice, morality, and courage in the face of danger.

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

Fight Club is a 1999 film directed by David Fincher and based on the novel of the same name by Chuck Palahniuk. The movie tells the story of an unnamed narrator (Edward Norton) who is suffering from insomnia, who meets a mysterious man named Tyler Durden (Brad Pitt). Together they form an underground fight club, which eventually evolves into a dangerous cult. The film explores themes of masculinity, identity and consumerism in a darkly comedic way. The film's violence and dark humor make it a cult classic with a devoted fan base.

From Milos Forman, starring Jack Nicholson, Louise Fletcher, Michael Berryman, Peter Brocco
Rated R

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest is a 1975 American drama film directed by Milos Forman. The film is based on the 1962 novel of the same name by Ken Kesey. It stars Jack Nicholson as Randle McMurphy, a criminal serving a short sentence in a prison who feigns insanity in order to be transferred to a mental institution, where he comes into conflict with the hospital's dictatorial head nurse, Nurse Ratched (Louise Fletcher). He eventually rallies the other patients to take on the oppressive Nurse Ratched and the other hospital staff. The film received critical acclaim and won five Academy Awards, including Best Picture. It was one of the first films to portray the struggles of those with mental illness, and the film's themes of rebellion, individuality, and freedom are still relevant today.

From Irvin Kershner, starring Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, Carrie Fisher, Billy Dee Williams
Rated PG

Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back is an 1980 American epic space opera film directed by Irvin Kershner. It is the second installment of the original Star Wars trilogy, and follows the story of Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, Princess Leia, and the Rebel Alliance as they struggle to fight against the evil Galactic Empire and its ruthless leader, Darth Vader. In their fight for freedom, the Rebels must come together to destroy the Empire’s ultimate weapon – the Death Star. Along the way, Luke must confront his own inner conflicts as he develops his Jedi powers, and discovers the shocking truth about his father. Meanwhile, Han and Leia’s relationship is tested as they are pursued by Darth Vader and the Empire’s forces. Ultimately, the Rebels must make a desperate escape in order to survive and continue the fight against the Empire.

From Jonathan Demme, starring Jodie Foster, Anthony Hopkins, Lawrence A. Bonney, Kasi Lemmons
Rated R

The Silence of the Lambs is a psychological horror thriller film directed by Jonathan Demme in 1991. It follows the story of FBI trainee Clarice Starling as she attempts to catch the notorious serial killer and cannibal, Hannibal Lecter. With the help of Lecter, Clarice is able to track down another serial killer, Buffalo Bill, who has been kidnapping and murdering women. The film follows Clarice as she navigates the dark depths of the mind of a psychopath in order to gain insight into the twisted mind of Buffalo Bill. The Silence of the Lambs was a critical and commercial success, winning five Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Actress (Jodie Foster), Best Actor (Anthony Hopkins), Best Director, and Best Adapted Screenplay.

From Christopher Nolan, starring Guy Pearce, Carrie-Anne Moss, Joe Pantoliano, Mark Boone Junior
Rated R

Memento is a 2000 neo-noir psychological thriller directed by Christopher Nolan. The film follows a man, Leonard Shelby (Guy Pearce), who suffers from anterograde amnesia and is searching for the person who raped and murdered his wife. He uses a system of tattoos and Polaroid photographs to help him remember and hunt down the killer. As the story progresses, the film shifts between two timelines; one in black and white, which moves in chronological order, and the other, in color, which moves in reverse order. This structure allows the audience to experience the story alongside Leonard and leaves them with a stunningly unique experience. In the end, Leonard learns that he himself is the killer, although he can never remember it.

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

No Country for Old Men is an American crime thriller directed and written by Joel and Ethan Coen. The movie follows a Texan welder and Vietnam veteran named Llewelyn Moss (Josh Brolin), as he discovers a large amount of drug money in the desert after a drug deal gone wrong. Moss attempts to escape with the money, but is pursued by a psychopathic killer, Anton Chigurh (Javier Bardem), and an aging local sheriff, Ed Tom Bell (Tommy Lee Jones). The movie follows Moss’s struggle for survival as he is pursued by the relentless Chigurh and the sheriff’s quest to bring justice to his town. The movie is set in 1980s West Texas, showcasing the harsh beauty of the desert landscape. With a suspenseful story and a gripping performance from Bardem, No Country for Old Men is considered to be one of the best films of the 21st century.

From Anurag Kashyap, starring Manoj Bajpayee, Ashish Chhipa, Richa Chadha, Nawazuddin Siddiqui
Rated Not Rated

Gangs of Wasseypur is a 2012 Indian crime action film directed by Anurag Kashyap. The film is set in the coal-mining town of Wasseypur in the state of Jharkhand. It follows the power struggle between two crime families, the Khan and the Singh, set over two generations. The story revolves around the revenge of Sardar Khan (Manoj Bajpayee) and his son Faizal Khan (Nawazuddin Siddiqui) against Ramadhir Singh (Tigmanshu Dhulia). The film features an ensemble cast of Manoj Bajpayee, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Richa Chadda, Huma Qureshi, Pankaj Tripathi, Reema Sen, and Rajkummar Rao. The film was critically acclaimed, with praise for its narrative, dialogues and direction. It was also a commercial success, becoming one of the highest-grossing Indian films of all time.

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

Gone Girl is a psychological thriller directed by David Fincher and based on the novel of the same name by Gillian Flynn. The film follows Nick Dunne (Ben Affleck), a man whose wife Amy Dunne (Rosamund Pike) mysteriously disappears one day. Nick immediately finds himself at the center of a media circus as the prime suspect in her disappearance. As the search for her intensifies, secrets from their marriage and her past come to light, leading to a shocking conclusion. The film is a gripping exploration of the complexities of marriage, loyalty, and the lengths people will go to protect themselves.

From Terry Gilliam, starring Jonathan Pryce, Kim Greist, Robert De Niro, Katherine Helmond
Rated R

Brazil is a 1985 dystopian black comedy film directed by Terry Gilliam. It follows the story of Sam Lowry, a bureaucrat in a future society who is trying to find a woman he has seen in a recurring dream. He discovers that she is real and beyond his reach, as his attempts to help her lead him deep into the dark underbelly of a seemingly utopian society. The film paints a bleak picture of a world in which the government controls the populace with an iron fist and individuals are constantly under surveillance. Sam Lowry is a low-level bureaucrat who dreams of a life of adventure but is instead trapped in a humdrum existence. When he encounters the woman from his dreams, he attempts to free her from the clutches of the state, but instead finds himself embroiled in a labyrinth of bureaucracy and corruption. The film is a mix of satire and dark humor, as well as a criticism of bureaucracy and totalitarianism. It features a compelling central performance from Jonathan Pryce and a memorable score from Michael Kamen. Brazil is a classic of 80s cinema and is widely regarded as one of Gilliam's best films.

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

Nightcrawler is a 2014 crime thriller directed by Dan Gilroy that follows the story of Lou Bloom, a driven young man desperate for work who discovers the high-speed world of freelance crime journalism in Los Angeles. After he stumbles upon a couple of freelance camera crews who film crashes, fires and murder scenes to sell to news stations, Lou decides to become a "nightcrawler" himself. As his business begins to take off, he is willing to go to increasingly dangerous lengths to get the footage he needs. Along the way, he become embroiled in a crime conspiracy involving a local TV news director and a veteran police detective. Lou pushes all boundaries to become the best nightcrawler out there, but is it worth the cost?

From Gregory Hoblit, starring Richard Gere, Laura Linney, Edward Norton, John Mahoney
Rated R

Primal Fear is a crime thriller film directed by Gregory Hoblit and starring Edward Norton, Richard Gere, and Laura Linney. The film follows Aaron Stampler (Norton), a young altar boy in Chicago, who is charged with the murder of an influential local archbishop. As the trial progresses, defense attorney Martin Vail (Gere) discovers that Aaron may suffer from multiple personality disorder, and begins to doubt his client's guilt as other suspects emerge. Through a series of investigations and courtroom confrontations, Vail and his team try to unravel the truth behind the murder and clear Aaron's name. Primal Fear was a commercial and critical success, with Norton receiving an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his performance.

From James Wan, starring Cary Elwes, Leigh Whannell, Danny Glover, Ken Leung
Rated R

Saw is a 2004 horror film directed by James Wan. It tells the story of two men who wake up in a strange room, chained to pipes at opposite ends of the room and with a dead body lying between them. Each man is given a tape recorder with instructions from an unseen Jigsaw Killer, who demands that one of them kill the other in order to escape. As they struggle to stay alive, they realize they must work together to figure out why they are being targeted and who the Jigsaw Killer is. The film is renowned for its tense atmosphere, its twists and turns, and its unforgettable ending.

From Zack Snyder, starring Jackie Earle Haley, Patrick Wilson, Carla Gugino, Malin Akerman
Rated R

Watchmen is a 2009 American superhero film directed by Zack Snyder, based on the 1986–87 DC Comics limited series of the same name. The film follows a group of former crime-fighters, now referred to as Watchmen, who reunite to investigate the murder of one of their own, while uncovering a vast and sinister conspiracy which could have world-altering consequences. Along the way, they must re-examine the idea of heroism and the cost of justice. The film stars Malin Akerman, Billy Crudup, Matthew Goode, Jackie Earle Haley, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, and Patrick Wilson. The film received generally positive reviews, with praise for its visuals and thematic and visual references to the source material. However, it was criticized for its pacing and plot inconsistencies. The film was a box office success, grossing over $185 million worldwide from a production budget of $130 million.

From George Lucas, starring Hayden Christensen, Natalie Portman, Ewan McGregor, Samuel L. Jackson
Rated PG-13

Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith is the climactic conclusion to the Star Wars prequel trilogy. Anakin Skywalker (Hayden Christensen) has grown into a powerful Jedi Knight, but his ambition and fear of loss leads to temptation from the dark side of the Force. After turning to the dark side, he is reborn as Darth Vader and becomes the Emperor's most feared enforcer. Meanwhile, Obi-Wan Kenobi (Ewan McGregor) is tasked with bringing Anakin back to the light side, while the Republic and the Separatists battle for control of the galaxy. As Palpatine (Ian McDiarmid) gains absolute power, the Jedi must face their greatest challenge and choose between protecting the Republic or saving Anakin. In the end, Anakin and Obi-Wan's fates are decided and the galaxy is changed forever.

From Robin Hardy, starring Edward Woodward, Christopher Lee, Diane Cilento, Britt Ekland
Rated R

The Wicker Man is a 1973 British horror film directed by Robin Hardy and starring Edward Woodward, Christopher Lee, Diane Cilento, Britt Ekland, and Ingrid Pitt. The story follows Sergeant Howie, a devoutly religious Christian police officer, as he investigates the disappearance of a young girl on the remote Scottish island of Summerisle. Upon his arrival, he discovers that the islanders practice a form of Celtic paganism, and that the girl's disappearance is linked to an ancient ritual. He must unravel the mystery, while also struggling to maintain his own faith in the face of the islanders' customs and beliefs. As the story progresses, Howie finds himself in a life-and-death struggle with the islanders, who are determined to make a human sacrifice to their pagan gods.

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

Funny Games is a 1997 Austrian psychological thriller film written and directed by Michael Haneke. The film tells the story of two young men, who invade the vacation home of a family, terrorizing them with sadistic mind games and physical violence, while holding them captive. As the family struggles to survive, they must confront the psychological and emotional effects of their captivity. The film is an exploration of violence, media, and audience voyeurism.

From Lawrence Kasdan, starring William Hurt, Kathleen Turner, Richard Crenna, Ted Danson
Rated R

From James Mangold, starring John Cusack, Ray Liotta, Amanda Peet, John Hawkes
Rated R

From Ridley Scott, starring Nicolas Cage, Alison Lohman, Sam Rockwell, Bruce Altman
Rated PG-13

From Mark Pellington, starring Jeff Bridges, Tim Robbins, Joan Cusack, Hope Davis
Rated R

From Joel Schumacher, starring Colin Farrell, Kiefer Sutherland, Forest Whitaker, Radha Mitchell
Rated R

From Michael Radford, starring John Hurt, Richard Burton, Suzanna Hamilton, Cyril Cusack
Rated R

From Bryan Singer, starring Tom Cruise, Bill Nighy, Carice van Houten, Kenneth Branagh
Rated PG-13

From Paul Verhoeven, starring Michael Douglas, Sharon Stone, George Dzundza, Jeanne Tripplehorn
Rated R