Unsettling Movies

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

Se7en is a 1995 American neo-noir psychological thriller directed by David Fincher and starring Brad Pitt, Morgan Freeman, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Kevin Spacey. The film tells the story of two detectives (Pitt and Freeman) who are tasked with tracking down a serial killer whose murders are inspired by the seven deadly sins—greed, sloth, pride, lust, envy, gluttony, and wrath. As the detectives investigate the murders and try to identify the killer, they are drawn into a terrifying cat-and-mouse game as the killer forces them to confront the darker aspects of their own lives. Ultimately, the detectives must confront the killer and learn the shocking truth behind his motivations. Se7en is an intense, suspenseful, and disturbing portrait of evil, with a surprise ending that will leave viewers shaken.

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

The Silence of the Lambs is a psychological thriller directed by Jonathan Demme, starring Jodie Foster and Anthony Hopkins. The story centers around FBI trainee Clarice Starling, who is tasked with enlisting the help of the infamous Dr. Hannibal Lecter to help her catch a serial killer known as Buffalo Bill. In return, Hannibal demands to be transferred to a more comfortable prison and a polite conversation with Clarice, which leads to a strange and unsettling relationship. As Clarice plunges deeper into her investigation, she is forced to confront her own inner demons and uncover the disturbing truth behind Buffalo Bill’s motives. The Silence of the Lambs is a tense and gripping film that won 5 Academy Awards including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Actor.

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

Oldboy is a South Korean action-packed drama from director Park Chan-wook. It follows the story of Oh Dae-su, a businessman who is inexplicably imprisoned for fifteen years in an isolated hotel room. After he is released, he is determined to find out who was responsible for his imprisonment. With the help of a young woman, Mi-do, Oh Dae-su embarks on a quest for revenge, which leads him to a shocking discovery about his own past. Along the way, he battles against a vicious antagonist, Lee Woo-jin, in a thrilling and violent confrontation. In the end, Oh Dae-su learns the truth that will forever change his life.

From Stanley Kubrick, starring Malcolm McDowell, Patrick Magee, Michael Bates, Warren Clarke
Rated R

A Clockwork Orange is a 1971 film adaptation of Anthony Burgess' 1962 novella of the same name. The film follows Alex, a young and violent anti-hero, and his gang of "droogs" as they wreak havoc on the dystopian world they inhabit. The film is set in a future Britain and highlights the moral dilemmas faced when law and order clash with personal freedom. Alex is eventually arrested, sentenced to prison, and agrees to undergo a controversial government experiment which removes his ability to choose between right and wrong. This loss of personal freedom is explored throughout the film as Alex struggles to find his own place in the world. The film is a dark satire which ultimately shows the horrors of a totalitarian state and the consequences of taking away an individual's free will.

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. It follows four characters who struggle with drug addiction and how it ruins their lives. Harry Goldfarb (Jared Leto) and his girlfriend Marion Silver (Jennifer Connelly) are two drug addicts whose lives spiral out of control as they deal with their addiction. Harry's mother, Sara Goldfarb (Ellen Burstyn), is a lonely widow who becomes obsessed with being on a TV game show. Harry's friend Tyrone C. Love (Marlon Wayans) is an aspiring drug dealer whose plans become derailed by his own addiction. The film chronicles the downward spiral of these four characters as their addictions become more and more destructive, culminating in a tragic ending. Requiem for a Dream is a powerful and haunting film that explores the ravages of drug addiction and its devastating impact on the lives of those involved.

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 crime thriller set in 1980 Texas. It follows the story of Llewelyn Moss, a welder and hunter who stumbles upon a drug deal gone wrong and takes off with a suitcase full of stolen money. This puts him in the crosshairs of Anton Chigurh, a psychopathic hitman out to retrieve the money. Sheriff Ed Tom Bell is tasked with tracking down both Llewelyn and Anton in order to bring justice to the situation. As events unfold, the three protagonists are forced to confront their own mortality and the moral ambiguity of their respective paths. The film examines the consequences of violence, and ultimately suggests that there is no escape from the darkness of human nature.

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 story takes place in 1954 on the titular island which is home to the Ashecliffe Hospital for the criminally insane. U.S. Marshal Teddy Daniels (DiCaprio) and his partner Chuck Aule (Mark Ruffalo) are sent to investigate the disappearance of a patient, Rachel Solando. As they search the island, they discover disturbing secrets and evidence of a conspiracy. Teddy also begins to suspect that he himself is an inmate of the hospital. As Teddy's investigation leads him deeper into the island and its secrets, his own grip on reality begins to slip, leaving him unsure of who is an enemy and who is a friend. In this gripping tale of secrets and lies, the truth is far more sinister than anyone could have imagined.

From Darren Aronofsky, starring Natalie Portman, Mila Kunis, Vincent Cassel, Winona Ryder
Rated R

Black Swan follows the story of Nina (Natalie Portman), a young and talented ballerina who is a member of a prestigious New York ballet company. She is chosen to play the lead role in their upcoming production of Swan Lake, but soon finds herself in a dangerous and alluring world of perfection and obsession. As she strives to perfect her performance, Nina discovers a dark side to herself that threatens to take over her life. With the help of her teacher, Thomas (Vincent Cassel), and a rival dancer, Lily (Mila Kunis), she must navigate the psychological and physical demands of the role in order to become the perfect swan. As the pressure mounts and her sanity begins to unravel, she finds herself in a desperate fight for survival between art and madness.

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. It follows Trevor Reznik, an industrial worker who has not slept in a year due to insomnia. His exhaustion, paranoia, and hallucinations begin to unravel his sanity as he becomes increasingly suspicious that his co-workers are plotting against him. As he searches for the truth, he uncovers a mysterious connection to a former lover and a conspiracy that stretches to the highest levels of power. With his mental and physical health deteriorating, he must confront his deepest fears in a desperate attempt to clear his name and save his life.

From Directors: Joel Coen, Ethan Coen, starring John Turturro, John Goodman, Judy Davis, Michael Lerner
Rated R

Barton Fink (1991) is a dark comedy film by the Coen Brothers. The film follows Barton Fink (John Turturro), a New York playwright who experiences writer’s block and moves to Hollywood to write a script for a B-movie. While there, he experiences strange events and interactions with the other inhabitants of his hotel, all while trying to complete his script. He soon discovers that his hotel is a gateway to a dark underworld, in which sinister forces are at work in the shadows. Through his journey, he finds himself struggling to reconcile his idealistic view of the world and his artistic ambitions, with the harsh realities of Hollywood. Along the way, he is aided by his wisecracking insurance salesman neighbor, Charlie Meadows (John Goodman). The film won numerous awards, including three Academy Award nominations, and was praised for its unique blend of dark humor, surrealism, and cultural commentary.

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. It follows a family on vacation, who are terrorized and tortured by two young men in their vacation home. The two men, played by Arno Frisch and Frank Giering, torment the family in cruel and sadistic ways. The family, consisting of father, mother, and son, must find a way to survive and escape the nightmare that these two men have placed upon them. The film is a commentary on how violence in media has desensitized viewers, and how the protagonists are not able to take action against the antagonists.

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

The Wicker Man (1973) is a British horror film directed by Robin Hardy. The film stars Edward Woodward as Sergeant Neil Howie, a devout Christian policeman who is sent to a remote Scottish island to investigate the disappearance of a young girl named Rowan Morrison. When he arrives, he discovers a pagan society led by the mysterious Lord Summerisle (Christopher Lee) and headed by Willow (Britt Ekland). As Howie investigates, he slowly uncovers the truth about the island’s strange inhabitants and their disturbing beliefs and practices. Ultimately, Howie finds himself in an existential crisis as he struggles to reconcile his religious beliefs with the islanders’ pagan ones. The Wicker Man is a classic horror film and remains influential to this day.

From Richard Donner, starring Gregory Peck, Lee Remick, Harvey Stephens, David Warner
Rated R

The Omen is a 1976 supernatural horror film directed by Richard Donner and written by David Seltzer. The film stars Gregory Peck, Lee Remick, and Harvey Stephens and follows the life of a young boy, Damien, who is revealed to be the Antichrist. As Damien's parents begin to discover the truth about their son, they must confront the forces of evil that have been unleashed upon the world. Along the way, they enlist the help of a priest and a photographer to stop the Antichrist from bringing about the end of days. The Omen is packed with suspense and terror, creating an unforgettable horror classic.

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 Eva (Tilda Swinton), a mother who struggles to come to terms with the sinister actions of her son, Kevin (Ezra Miller). Eva has been left to raise her son alone, as her husband Franklin (John C. Reilly) has withdrawn from the situation. As Kevin's behavior becomes increasingly dangerous, Eva begins to question her own parenting skills and how her choices have contributed to her son's violent nature. As Eva and Kevin's relationship slowly unravels, Eva begins to come to terms with the fact that her son may be a sociopath. The film follows Eva's journey as she attempts to make sense of her life and her son's troubling behavior.

From David Lynch, starring Jack Nance, Charlotte Stewart, Allen Joseph, Jeanne Bates
Rated Not Rated

From Gaspar Noé, starring Monica Bellucci, Vincent Cassel, Albert Dupontel, Philippe Nahon
Rated Not Rated

From Gaspar Noé, starring Philippe Nahon, Blandine Lenoir, Frankie Pain, Martine Audrain
Rated Not Rated

From Takashi Miike, starring Ryo Ishibashi, Eihi Shiina, Tetsu Sawaki, Jun Kunimura
Rated R

From Takashi Miike, starring Tadanobu Asano, Nao Ômori, Shin'ya Tsukamoto, Paulyn Sun
Rated R

From John McNaughton, starring Michael Rooker, Tracy Arnold, Tom Towles, Mary Demas
Rated Unrated

From James Wan, starring Patrick Wilson, Rose Byrne, Ty Simpkins, Lin Shaye
Rated PG-13

From Takashi Shimizu, starring Megumi Okina, Misaki Itô, Misa Uehara, Yui Ichikawa
Rated R

From William Friedkin, starring Matthew McConaughey, Emile Hirsch, Juno Temple, Thomas Haden Church
Rated R

From Justin Kurzel, starring Lucas Pittaway, Daniel Henshall, Louise Harris, Bob Adriaens
Rated Not Rated

From Harmony Korine, starring Nick Sutton, Jacob Sewell, Lara Tosh, Jacob Reynolds
Rated R