Some Some are thought-provoking and intellectually stimulating. But then there are those that go far beyond - they challenge your perception of reality and, guaranteed, will take your head for a spin. These mind-bending productions do not merely tell a story - they play with the viewer, leaving them questioning their feeble perceptions.

These types of films often rely on time-bending twists, playing with memory or dreams, or adopting fragmented storytelling that encourages viewers to piece everything together. The experience is frequently more interactive than it is usually with other movies. These stories challenge what the public believes to be true, deconstructing the very fabric of reality. From Anderson's The Machinist to Aronofsky's Mother!, there are plenty of cinematic gems which leave the viewer with more questions than answers.

10 The Machinist (2004)

Directed By Brad Anderson

A haunting thriller, The Machinist follows Trevor Reznik (Christian Bale), an insomniac machinist whose lack of sleep forces him into a downward spiral of delusions. As the story progresses, Trevor starts to piece together a profoundly unsettling truth, revealing what neither he nor the viewer ever wished to find out. What is buried deep within his fragmented mind is the final piece of a dramatic puzzle that will free Trevor of his insomniac curse while simultaneously leading him to a terrifying conclusion.

The Machinist - Poster

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The Machinist
Release Date
October 22, 2004
Runtime
101 Minutes

WHERE TO WATCH

The Machinist is a psychological thriller starring Christian Bale as Trevor Reznik, an industrial worker suffering from severe insomnia and mental distress. His life begins to unravel as he experiences surreal and disturbing events, pushing him toward a complete psychological breakdown. Directed by Brad Anderson, the film explores themes of guilt, paranoia, and the impact of insomnia on the human psyche.

Cast
Christian Bale, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Aitana Sánchez-Gijón, John Sharian, Michael Ironside, Lawrence Gillard Jr., Reg E. Cathey, Anna Massey
Director
Brad Anderson
Writers
Scott Kosar
Main Genre
Thriller

Through the sleepy and thus unreliable eyes of Bale's character, it is increasingly challenging for the public to understand what is real and what is the result of Trevor's exhausted psyche. The film is a tense journey where the viewer finds himself as lost as the protagonist, even questioning the role and existence of the characters that surround him.

9 Donnie Darko (2001)

Directed By Richard Kelly

Blending different genres like fantasy, sci-fi, and psychological thriller, Donnie Darko is a deeply confusing movie that messes with your brain. The premise of a troubled boy (played by Jake Gyllenhaal) who has eerie visions of a creepy, albeit curiously charismatic, figure named Frank dressed in a rabbit costume is unsettling enough.

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When the mysterious newfound companion begins to warn him about the end of the world, the film becomes even more disturbing. As the story unfolds, Donnie Darko introduces even more thrilling concepts, from the butterfly effect to alternate realities.

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Donnie Darko
Release Date
October 26, 2001
Runtime
113 minutes

WHERE TO WATCH

After troubled teen Donnie Darko (Jake Gyllenhaal) wakes on a local golf course after a night of sleepwalking, he has a vision of a man in a rabbit suit telling him that the world will end in 28 days. Returning home, Donnie sees that a jet engine has fallen on his bedroom in the night, and begins to feel increasingly detached from reality. Scrambling to make sense of the bizarre and unexplainable events that have altered his life, Donnie finds himself unravelling a tangled web of disaster and fate.

Cast
Jake Gyllenhaal, Holmes Osborne, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Daveigh Chase, Mary McDonnell, James Duval
Director
Richard Kelly
Writers
Richard Kelly
Studio(s)
Newmarket Films
Distributor(s)
Newmarket Films

Throughout most of the plot, the viewer cannot help but wonder whether Donnie is prey to a psychotic episode. The teenager might be hallucinating most of the weird events taking place. However, the film appears to suggest there is a deeper, more sinister force at play. Regardless of our interpretation, one thing appears clear: Donnie's destiny cannot be changed.

8 The Father (2020)

Directed By Florian Zeller

The Father is not only a perplexing watch but also a groundbreaking portrayal of Alzheimer's disease, as we have never seen before. The public is immersed in the patient's experience instead of merely relying on the perspectives of those close to them. The result is a heart-wrenching and fragmented journey through the blurred memories of a man whose grasp of reality is gradually slipping away. As viewers, we try to piece back together a broken timeline while drowning in the impending sense of hopelessness of the story.

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The Father
PG-13
Drama
Release Date
December 23, 2020
Runtime
96 minutes
Director
Florian Zeller
Writers
Christopher Hampton

WHERE TO WATCH

The Father is a drama film released in 2020, featuring Anthony Hopkins as an aging man struggling to retain his autonomy despite declining mental health. Olivia Colman stars as his daughter, who faces challenges in assisting him as he becomes increasingly suspicious of those around him.

Cast
Olivia Williams, Imogen Poots, Rufus Sewell, Ayesha Dharker, Roman Zeller, Brian Rodger, Romulus Stoicescu
Producers
David Parfitt, Jean-Louis Livi, Philippe Carcassonne, Tim Haslam, Ollie Madden, Hugo Grumbar, Daniel Battsek, Lauren Dark, Paul Grindey, Simon Friend

The movie is remarkable in how it successfully encourages the public to empathize with the experience of the main character by immersing them in the same confusion he is going through. The unconventional storytelling evokes a sense of frustration, capturing the isolation and disorientation of an often misunderstood disease.

7 The Holy Mountain (1973)

Directed By Alejandro Jodorowsky

Alejandro Jodorowsky is famous for crafting complex and bewildering movies that, although they are not always meant to be understood, are still stimulating to watch. The Holy Mountain is an example of his surreal and innovative filmmaking style.

The greatness of the story lies in its ability to play with the perception of the public, challenging them to reflect and question different aspects of life.

he film follows an alchemist who takes under his wing a Jesus-resembling figure known as "The Thief" and other eccentric characters to lead them on a transformative journey to the Holy Mountain. The movie is an immersive exploration of different themes, from faith and spirituality to self-discovery.

The Holy Mountain - Poster

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The Holy Mountain
Release Date
November 29, 1973
Runtime
114 minutes
Director
Alejandro Jodorowsky
Producers
Allen Klein, Robert Taicher

WHERE TO WATCH

BUY

The Holy Mountain, directed by Alejandro Jodorowsky, follows an alchemist who gathers individuals symbolizing the planets as they undergo mystical transformations. Together, they journey to Lotus Island to ascend the mountain and challenge the gods who clandestinely govern the universe.

Cast
Alejandro Jodorowsky, Horacio Salinas, Zamira Saunders, Juan Ferrara, Adriana Page, Burt Kleiner, Valerie Jodorowsky, Nicky Nichols, Richard Rutowski, Luis Lomelí, Ana De Sade, Jacqueline Voltaire, Chucho-Chucho, Letícia Robles, Connie De La Mora, David Kapralik, Pablo Leder, Bobby Cameron, Re Debris, Lupita Peruyero, José Antonio Alcaraz, Héctor Ortega, Robert Taicher, Arielle Dombasle, Manuel Dondé

The bizarre scenery and absurd dynamics prompt the viewer to occasionally wonder what is happening before their eyes and why. However, the greatness of the story lies in its ability to play with the perception of the public, challenging them to reflect and question different aspects of life. This head-spinning movie is the best dark fantasy ever.

6 Saw (2004)

Directed By James Wan

With its enigmatic plot and shifting perspectives, Saw revolutionized the horror genre. The premise is terrifying and mind-blowing: two men wake up trapped in a desolate bathroom in the middle of nowhere and are forced to play a deadly game orchestrated by a creepy figure known as Jigsaw.

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However, throughout the story, between conflicting hints and unreliable points of view, it is unusually difficult for the public to have a clear understanding of what is truly behind the events. The film ingeniously lies in its ability to manipulate the perception of the characters and the viewers through half-truths and intricate riddles.

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Saw
Release Date
October 29, 2004
Runtime
103 minutes

WHERE TO WATCH

Saw is the first installment in the horror franchise directed by James Wan. Released in 2004, the film follows two men who awake shackled in a derelict bathroom, discovering they are part of a sadistic game orchestrated by the enigmatic Jigsaw, requiring them to follow cryptic instructions to survive.

Cast
Dina Meyer, Tobin Bell, Alexandra Bokyun Chun, Mike Butters, Paul Gutrecht, Benito Martinez, Ned Bellamy, Avner Garbi, Hans Raith, Oren Koules
Director
James Wan
Writers
James Wan, Leigh Whannell
Main Genre
Horror

The figure of Jigsaw challenges everyone he comes across to think outside the box, finding solutions where they least expect. With its restless pacing and anxiety-ridden atmosphere, Saw sometimes almost feels like an interactive game of intellect rather than a simple movie.

5 Mother! (2017)

Directed By Darren Aronofsky

There is an intensely unhinged quality to Mother! that defied expectations and elicited shocked responses. Regardless of the controversy raised, however, there is no doubt that Darren Aronofsky's thriller left a simultaneously confused yet powerful impression in the minds of those who watched it.

As the quiet of a seemingly happy couple is disturbed by a group of ominous presences, the movie plunges into a graphic nightmare. Considered one of the best psychological thrillers of the decade, Mother! is a disturbing journey seen through the bewildered perspective of the main victim of the story.

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Mother!
Release Date
September 13, 2017
Runtime
121 minutes

WHERE TO WATCH

Mother! is a psychological horror film directed by Darren Aronofsky. Released in 2017, it stars Jennifer Lawrence and Javier Bardem as a couple whose serene life is upended when unexpected visitors arrive at their home, challenging their relationship and shattering their peace.

Cast
Brian Gleeson, Domhnall Gleeson, Jovan Adepo, Amanda Chiu, Patricia Summersett, Eric Davis, Raphael Grosz-Harvey, Emily Hampshire, Abraham Aronofsky, Luis Oliva, Stephanie Ng Wan, Chris Gartin, Stephen McHattie, Ambrosio De Luca, Gregg Bello, Arthur Holden, Henry Kwok, Alex Bisping, Koumba Ball, Robert Higden, Elizabeth Neale
Director
Darren Aronofsky
Writers
Darren Aronofsky
Main Genre
Drama

Beyond the increasing absurdity of the events unfolding, however, what also comes across as perplexing is the blurred lines between what is real and what is allegorical. Between its visceral symbolism and unexpectedly brutal climax, the movie is guaranteed to leave elusive answers to uncomfortable questions.

4 The Exterminating Angel (1962)

Directed By Luis Bunuel

Like many other avant-garde movies, Luis Bunuel's productions are not meant to be understood upon first watch. There is a lot to unpack when it comes to his stories, and The Exterminating Angel is an example of his complex approach to the seventh art. The movie follows a group of aristocratic guests who, inexplicably, cannot leave their dinner party. The story is supposedly an allegory.

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The Exterminating Angel
Release Date
September 10, 1963
Runtime
93 minutes
Director
Luis Buñuel
Writers
Luis Buñuel

WHERE TO WATCH

Streaming

The Exterminating Angel, directed by Luis Buñuel, is a surrealist film centered around a bourgeois dinner party. After the guests retire to a music room, they inexplicably find themselves unable to leave, leading to the gradual unraveling of social norms and conventions among the trapped individuals.

Cast
Silvia Pinal, Enrique Rambal, Jacqueline Andere, José Baviera, Augusto Benedico, Luis Beristáin, Antonio Bravo, Claudio Brook, César del Campo, Bertha Moss, Enrique García Álvarez, Lucy Gallardo, Nadia Haro Oliva, Ofelia Guilmáin, Ofelia Montesco, Patricia de Morelos, Patricia Morán, Rosa Elena Durgel, Tito Junco, Xavier Loyá, Xavier Massé, Ángel Di Stefani, Ángel Merino, Daniel Arroyo, Fernando Yapur

The unpaired genius of Bunuel lies in how cleverly he uses absurdism not only to craft an engaging narrative, but also to offer a shameless social critique of the wealthy and the privileged. At the same time, the filmmaker also encourages the viewer to come up with their interpretation of the story, leaving us creative freedom. Between cryptic allegories and alternative explanations, this "Eat the Rich" movie is a hallucinatory masterpiece.

3 Brazil (1985)

Directed By Terry Gilliam

Set in a dystopian future, Brazil is a clever sci-fi satirical film that explores the political themes of totalitarianism and hyper-surveillance in a typically Orwellian fashion. The nightmare-like society that emerges in the story is simultaneously terrifying and provocative. The movie begins when a seemingly ordinary man, Sam, decides to look for the mysterious woman who keeps appearing in his daydreams, prompting a related series of events.

Brazil Movie Poster

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Brazil
R
Sci-Fi
Drama
Release Date
December 18, 1985
Director
Terry Gilliam

WHERE TO WATCH

Streaming

In a dystopian future, a low-level government employee becomes entangled in a bureaucratic nightmare after encountering the woman of his dreams. As he navigates an oppressive system marked by inefficiency and surveillance, his quest for freedom and love spirals into chaos, highlighting the absurdity of totalitarian regimes and the human desire for individuality.

Cast
Robert De Niro, Katherine Helmond, Ian Holm, Bob Hoskins
Main Genre
Sci-Fi

The movie combines surreal scenography with satirical storytelling, creating an absurd experience for the viewer. There is a blurred line between what could be a consequence of the visionary mind of the filmmaker and what could become a reality. The viewer comes to experience a world never seen before through the innocent and curious eyes of Sam. One of the best sci-fi movies of all time, Brazil is a haunting masterpiece.

2 PapriKa (2006)

Directed By Satoshi Kon

With bizarre imagery and unsettling scenography, PapriKa is one of those movies that elicit powerful emotional reactions. The story follows Atsuko Chiba, a psychologist who uses innovative technology to enter her patients' dreams under her alter-ego named Paprika.

As the plot thickens, the boundary between fiction and reality begins to blur. Faithful to its premise, the movie does not follow the laws of the universe.

However, the world of dreams is a dangerous and unreliable place to delve deep into. As the plot thickens, the boundary between fiction and reality begins to blur. Faithful to its premise, the movie does not follow the laws of the universe.

Paprika Movie Poster

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Paprika
R
Anime
Drama Fantasy
Release Date
November 25, 2006
Runtime
90 Minutes

WHERE TO WATCH

Paprika (2007) is a Japanese animated science-fiction film directed by Satoshi Kon. The story follows Dr. Atsuko Chiba, a research psychologist who uses a device called the DC Mini to enter patients' dreams and treat their psychological disorders. When the device is stolen, it poses a threat to both the dream world and reality, prompting Dr. Chiba to transform into her dream alter-ego, Paprika, to retrieve it.

Cast
Megumi Hayashibara, Tōru Emori, Katsunosuke Hori, Tôru Furuya, Koichi Yamadera, Akio Otsuka, Hideyuki Tanaka, Satomi Kôrogi
Director
Satoshi Kon
Writers
Yasutaka Tsutsui, Seishi Minakami, Satoshi Kon
Main Genre
Anime

On the other hand, it adopts the same logic found in dreams, which is no logic at all. The anime becomes a surreal journey where nothing can ever be too absurd. There is an element of randomness which perfectly espouses the themes covered in the story. PapriKa manages to be thought-provoking and dazzling at the same time.

1 Suspiria (1977)

Directed by Dario Argento

Italian horror maestro Dario Argento has a way of messing with the head of the viewer, leaving them not only terrified but also puzzled. Suspiria, with its intense, almost psychedelic visuals and sinister setting, perfectly exemplifies that. The film is a beautifully messy sequence of absurd events, creepy twists, and unsettling images. The main character, aspiring dancer Susie Bannion, is unconsciously thrown into a world of witchcraft and dark magic.

Suspiria (1977) - poster

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Suspiria
Release Date
August 12, 1977
Runtime
92 Minutes
  • Headshot Of Jessica Harper
    Jessica Harper
    Suzy Bannion
  • Cast Placeholder Image
    Stefania Casini
    Sara

Suspiria, directed by Dario Argento, is a horror film set in a prestigious German ballet academy. The story follows American dancer Suzy Bannion, played by Jessica Harper, as she uncovers the academy's dark and supernatural secrets. The film is renowned for its striking visuals, stylistic cinematography, and haunting score by the band Goblin.

Director
Dario Argento
Writers
Dario Argento, Daria Nicolodi, Thomas De Quincey
Main Genre
Horror

What is guaranteed to take your brain for a spin in the story is how Argento adopts a dream-like, or more appropriately, nightmarish aesthetic to lead his character deeper into a game of deception and illusion. By the end of the film, there might be a newfound understanding of the dark secret buried between the walls of the Dance Academy where Suspiria takes place, but the journey to get there is far from linear.