The cinema is among the most popular leisure options in the world. A large part of the public goes to the rooms looking to “disconnect” and in some cases, relax. But not everything is rosy; there are uncomfortable and stressful films, either because of their visual load or because of their plot complexity. Just as there are also movies that make you think.
Well because its plots propose reflective visions of life, or because following their stories is at least complicated, some films leave viewers with a big question mark. Even anguish or other unpleasant feelings in some cases.
Donnie Darkoby Richard Kelly (2001)
Even though it happened virtually unnoticed when it was released in theaters, it didn't take long for it to become the first great cult film of the XNUMXst century.
Starring Jake Gyllenhaal alongside his sister Maggie Gyllenhaal. The cast is completed by Patrick Swayze, Drew Barrymore and Jena Malone.
Fromby Christopher Nolan (2010)
World famous for his trilogy of The Knight of the Night, Christopher Nolan is one of those filmmakers who enjoys twisting reality in his films. Starring Leonardo DiCaprio with Josep Gordon-Levitt, Ken Watanabe, Tom Hardy, Marion Cotillard, Cillian Murphy and Michael Caine.
The plot of the film exploits to the maximum the premise of an old poem written by Edgar Allan Poe: A dream in a dream.
Open your eyes, by Alejandro Amenábar (1997)
The end of this film left more than one viewer with an incredulous face... or not understanding anything. It's one of those movies that makes you think about her for several days.
Science fiction, drama and psychological thriller, in a story in which there is also room for moral debates. About what is and what is not correct.
Crashby David Cronenberg (1996)
Not very accommodating and extremely uncomfortable is this film by Canadian David Cronenberg. It revolves around a group of people with a very particular paraphilia: sinsorofilia. This is a sexual pattern in which arousal is obtained from observing, participating in or acting out catastrophes such as fires or landslides. In the case of this story, the characters are obsessed with traffic accidents.
Star James Spader, Holly Hunter, Elias Koteas, Debora Kara Uger, and Rosanna Arquette.
Y Tu Mama Tambien, by Alfonso Cuarón (2001)
Late adolescence in boys, that period of immaturity and indecisiveness between the ages of 17 and 21, is portrayed in this story that is set against the backdrop of socio-political conflicts in Mexico.
The debates its protagonists face are tattooed on the viewers' retina. Of those movies that make you think about life, love, sex, friendship and even politics.
Blade Runner, by Ridley Scott (1982) and Blade Runner: 2049 by Denis Villenueve (2017)
Humanity fears that Armageddon will come from the hand of some artificial intelligence. These technologies will surpass us both in terms of analytical and reasoning capabilities, that they will identify us as a mortal danger to the planet and will end up revealing themselves.
Another topic for discussion present in these two tapes: Do robots have the right to life?
How to be John Malkovichby Spike Jonze (1999)
Es one of the strangest tapes of the last 20 years. Debut for a particular director, with several titles on the movie lists that make you think.
Starring John Cusack, who plays a failed and hopeless puppeteer. However, his life is turned upside down when he discovers a secret passage that leads to the mind of John Malkovich.
Hereby Spike Jonze (2013)
The debates around technological advances and how they have influenced people's lives they are very present in the cinema.
Theodore Twombly (Joaquin Phoenix) is a lonely, jilted middle-aged man. In the midst of his bland existence, he will end up in love with a modern operational assistant, whose voice is that of Scarlett Johansonn. The particular thing about the story is that it seems that the feelings are reciprocated.
Wild tales, by Damián Szifron (2014)
This is one of those movies that makes you think about violence. In the midst of an extreme situation, after enduring absurd situations for a long time, how violent can a person become?
Six disjointed stories with a common denominator: characters who reached the limit of tolerance and said: "No more."
Argentine production, nominated for an Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film.
2001: a space odysseyby Stanley Kubrick (1968)
One of the most sought-after answers by humanity is accurately determine the origin of the universe. Stanley Kubrick, through the adaptation of the story The sentinel, by Arthur C. Clarke, offers his particular insight.
For much of the public it is a cult film and indecipherable in equal measure.
interstellarby Christopher Nolan (2014)
With many references to 2001: a space odyssey, Christopher Nolan uses an adventure to deep space to discern regarding the relativity of time.
Starring Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway, Jessica Chastain, Michael Caine, and Matt Damon.
Bucket listby Rob Rainer (2007)
Dying and not meeting the proposed goals. Put aside dreams for a life full of commitments and responsibilities. Two phrases that torment many people, even if they do not admit it. With these premises, Rob Reiner tackles a fairly light comedy, but one that is part of the films that leave viewers searching for the answers to their own existence.
Other movies that make you think
Films of various genres and from all eras, that after being visualized leave the public facing an internal debate.
Science fiction tapes are listed like the trilogy Matrix of the Wachowski Sisters or Avatar by James Cameron (2009). There is also room for more intense dramas like The thin red line (1998) o The Tree of Life (2009), both by Terrence Malick.
Even some comedies leave a lot for analysis. Among these stand out The Truman Show by Peter Weir (1998) or Say yes by Peyton Reed (2008), both starring Jim Carrey.
Image sources: Hypertextual