Whether it’s a cute romance drama that leaves us feeling all lovey-dovey inside, a comedy that has us laughing in hysterics, or a horror film that keeps us up at night, movies can leave a deep impression on our minds. Just like how the twins from The Shining (1980) made us scared of walking in long and empty hallways; and how Jaws (1975) left us being afraid to swim in the sea.
While most modern blockbusters still manage to deliver captivating stories that most of us are familiar with, these films did the opposite. Straying from the status quo of traditional moviemaking, the films left audiences bamboozled as they tried to wrap their heads around what they just saw. From being trapped in a never-ending neighbourhood to a slow-burn murder mystery, here are some movie recommendations that will give you a mindf*ck and leave you with more questions by the end of it:
Last Night in Soho (2021)
If you’re a fan of time travel movies, this one goes back to the 1960s. The story centers around an aspiring fashion designer, Eloise, who somehow is able to enter the 1960s, where she encounters a dazzling wannabe singer, Sandie. While it all seems great at first, the glamour is not all it appears to be, and the dreams of the past start to crack and splinter into something far darker. This film is essentially a modern-day Hitchcock thriller. It’s a slow burn story that suddenly descends into mind games and terror. While it’s described as a horror film, it’s more like a trippy thriller with a few harmless jump scares.
Vivarium (2019)
If creepy-looking babies and parenthood scares you, this movie might just give you a mindf*ck. This movie follows Tom and Gemma, a young couple whose hunt for their first home goes disastrously wrong. After being given a tour of the utopian neighbourhood of Yonder by a realtor (who may or may not be an alien), the couple find themselves trapped in suburbia with a child and one mission: raise the boy and be released. This movie feels like an episode of The Twilight Zone, and it definitely makes parenthood seem much more depressing. Not to mention set design and the never-ending row of houses makes the movie feel almost claustrophobic. Just remember to keep in mind that this movie is entirely satirical, and not to be taken seriously!
Forgotten (2017)
This movie is filled with twist and turns, and will keep you on the edge of your seat. It follows Jin-seok, whose abducted brother returns seemingly a different man with no memory of the past 19 days, and he chases after the truth behind the kidnapping. We’ll keep the spoilers at bay for this one, since it’s the kind of movie where the less you know going in, the better. The film excellently mixes psychological thriller with some atmospheric terror that keeps the tension and mystery alive throughout the movie. Watch this on an evening with the lights dimmed… and enjoy the wild ride.
Annihilation (2018)
Annihilation is a combination of science fiction and psychological horror, sprinkled with some body horror. The story follows Lena, a biologist and former soldier, who joins a mission to uncover what happened to her husband inside “The Shimmer”, a mysterious phenomenon that has been expanding across the American coastline. Once they get inside, they discover a world of mutated landscapes and creatures that threatens both their lives… and their sanity. In you’re in the mood for otherworldly experiences without actually doing mind-altering substances, this one will definitely get your mind royally f*cked.
Run (2020)
If you enjoyed Sarah Paulson in American Horror Story, you’ll definitely like her in this one. Run follows a wheelchaired teenager, Chloe, who is homeschooled by her mother. However, Chloe starts to suspect everything her mother does after discovering a Change of Name Certificate document. She decides to go on the run in her wheelchair in a desperate attempt to get away from her. While the plot does get a bit predictable, it still gives that terrific thrilling experience of watching a mystery thriller.
Trance (2013)
Trance is a psychological thriller starring James McAvoy, Vincent Cassel, and Rosario Dawson. The movie starts off with Simon, who is a fine-art auctioneer, joining a gang of thieves led by Frank to steal a painting. But during the heist, he suffers a head injury, which results in him having no memory of where he hid the artwork. Frank then hires a hypnotherapist to help probe his memory. This is when the movie becomes super meta, blurring the line between deceit and reality. Overall, this movie is jam-packed with twists and turns, but it can get a bit confusing and complicated.
Mother! (2017)
Trigger warning: this movie is f*cked up. Starring Jennifer Lawrence as the main character ‘Mother’, and Javier Bardem as ‘Him’, this film takes place in a Victorian mansion. ‘Mother’ is seen renovating different areas of the house when an unexpected guest arrives at their doorstep one night, followed by the arrival of his wife and his two children. The plot then takes a terrifying turn, which made many audience members leave the theater halfway through the movie. Overall, this film is not horror, but it is absolutely insane, beautiful, disgusting, and masterful. So, be warned – this movie isn’t for the faint of heart.
