Paramount Pictures
Cinema is full of character who become consumed by their desires , with numerous films depicting the unraveling of their lives as they toe the sparse line between ambition and fixation . moving-picture show about fixation research these extreme passion and infantile fixation , using well - written tale to show how fascinating such unrelenting pursuits can be .
From the haunting descent portray inTaxi Driverto the phrenetic intensiveness becharm inWhiplash , some movies picture all - consuming fixation in captivating ways . Often serving as deep dives into the minds of troubled characters and their desire , these tarradiddle will have viewers transfixed , yet unsettled , with most serving as a blazing warning of the dangers of want something too much .
Paramount Pictures
7. Nightcrawler (2014)
Lou Bloom ( Presumed Innocent‘s Jake Gyllenhaal ) is a down - on - his - luck petty thief in Los Angeles who soon discovers the exciting and much more lucrative world of free-lance photojournalism . Nightcrawlersees Lou fully embrace the Book of Job , becoming a stringer himself and immortalize more and more violent incidents to trade to local tidings stations . The more sensational the footage , the high the payout , so Lou becomes obsessed with capture the perfect shot , even if it means control law-breaking scenes and cross other honorable bound .
Directed by Dan Gilroy , the neo - noir thriller soar thanks to Gyllenhaal ’s hypnotise performance as the sociopathic Lou , whose unsettling apathy create him sodding for the job . The disturbing supporter is both a reflection and review of the family relationship between unethical news media and the consumer demand that feeds it . One of thebest crime movies of the 2010s , Nightcrawlertakes some truly disconsolate turn after a nightmarish buildup that seduce it feel like a slow - burn horror picture .
6. The Prestige (2006)
How much would you give up to outdo a contender ? This is the question directorChristopher Nolanexplores inThe Prestige , with the solvent being a spine - chilling and unforgettable twist . position in the previous nineteenth century , the 2006 film follows two necromancer , Robert Angier ( Hugh Jackman ) and Alfred Borden ( Christian Bale ) , whose vivid challenger to outshine each other consumes their living . The couplet becomes determined to uncover each other ’s secrets , with Angier becoming particularly fixate on Borden ’s ultimate magic , “ The Transported Man . ”
The Prestigepremiered to critical plaudit , with fans and critic praising its alone story that takes unexpected paths and present surprising reference like David Bowie ’s Nikola Tesla . Jackman and Bale ’s moral force is at the heart of the film , with the pair ’s unhealthy competitor costing each much more than they ab initio thought . The comparatively underrated entry in Nolan ’s extensive filmography is a must - see for the director ’s fans , who will belike recognise his familiar hallmark , from the non - one-dimensional tale to the utilisation of symbolization throughout .
5. Eyes Wide Shut (1999)
Dr. Bill Harford ( Tom Cruise ) seems to lead a static life story with his married woman , Alice ( Nicole Kidman ) in New York City , at least until a heated up disputation where she reveals her intimate fantasies about another human race . touch and push back by green-eyed monster , Harford begins a night - farsighted sexual journey that leads him to a closelipped masked musket ball . There , he meet interesting individuals and has a serial of intimate face-off that become increasingly surreal and unsettling as his obsession lead him deeper into this world of forbidden desire .
eye Wide Shutisdirector Stanley Kubrick ’s final masterpiece , as the renowned filmmaker conk out of a heart attack shortly after presenting the 1999 photographic film ’s last cut . Much like several of the director ’s works , the titillating drama is occupy with symbolism and layered meanings , ultimately concentre on the central electric discharge of Harford ’s obsession with exploring his own mayhap strange sexual desires after his married woman ’s blunt confession .
4. American Psycho (2000)
American Psychois a classic satirical horror film that observe Patrick Bateman ( Christian Bale ) , a wealthy New York City investment banker who , by twenty-four hour period , indulge in a life of luxury , but by night , enacts his violent illusion . His compulsion with appearances and materialism is contrasted with his ghastly murders throughout the plastic film , which chronicle Bateman ’s more and more fickle behavior . By the close , audience will be wonder which portion of his natural action were veridical and which were psychotic delusions .
3. Whiplash (2014)
Director Damien Chazelle’sWhiplashis an honor - get ahead drama that depicts the abusive dynamic that forms between an ambitious unseasoned idle words drummer , Andrew Neiman ( Miles Teller ) , and his ruthless teacher , Terence Fletcher ( J.K. Simmons ) . Andrew , a first - year student at the prestigious Shaffer Conservatory , dreams of becoming one of the greats . He believes that Fletcher , who ’s notorious for being verbally and physically abusive toward his students , can avail him reach that . Fletcher does indeed push Andrew to his physical and mental terminal point , with their more and more toxic relationship leading to an aroused last carrying out .
Whiplashis unflinching in its portrayal of the grueling pursuit of artistic perfection , with literal blood , lather , and teardrop sacrificed for Andrew ’s single - minded goal . Fletcher is every bit obsessional as a wise man who believe his scurrilous teaching methods can create the next legendary artist , even if that think hurt the bookman in the procedure . Simmons would rightly make an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of the menacing Fletcher , with his grapheme and the flick as a whole raise critical questions about the romanticization of the struggling artist .
2. Vertigo (1958)
James Stewart star as former police detective John “ Scottie ” Ferguson inVertigo . He retires due to his debilitating fear of heights that he develop be an incident on his job . He then line up work as a private police detective when he is hired by an one-time acquaintance , Gavin Elster ( Tom Helmore ) , to follow his wife , Madeleine ( Kim Novak ) , who is behaving strangely . As Scottie trails Madeleine , he becomes obsessed with her , which is why her sudden death hits him hard . The devastated Scottie later encounters Judy Barton , a woman who bears an weird resemblance to Madeleine .
Vertigois one ofdirector Alfred Hitchcock ’s great films , with the psychological thriller widely considered to be his magnum opus . The twisty story and mystery surrounding Madeleine and Judy are at long last driven by an unnerving obsession on Scottie ’s part . As the protagonist modeling Judy into the picture of his lost love only to learn a shocking truth , the note between reality and fantasy blur . The 1958 movie greatly profit from Hitchcock ’s counselling , with the master of suspense infusing every arcsecond with a climb sense of apprehension .
1. Taxi Driver (1976)
DirectorMartin Scorsese‘sTaxi Drivertells the fib of Travis Bickle ( Robert De Niro ) , a Vietnam War stager with insomnia who now repulse his cab around New York City . Day by day , Travis becomes more enraged by the poverty and crime around him , with his genial well - being worsened by his failed attempts at connecting with others . When he becomes preoccupied with rescuing a new sex worker , Iris ( Jodie Foster ) , his anger and opinion of isolation reach their crown . His worsen disconnection with society eventually leads to his compulsion with the idea that he must cleanse the metropolis of its vulgarism , leading to a violent conclusion .
De Niro ’s iconic delineation of an unhinged Travis is largely what makes Scorsese ’s intense character study so terrifyingly in effect . Taxi Driveris a gritty word-painting of urban disaffection , with the protagonist ’s compulsion with cleansing the metropolis being the hopeless shot at redemption in a world rule by law-breaking and putrescence . The 1976 film is best remember for Travis ’ dark story arc , with his genial state ’s impairment inevitably lead to jaw - swing consequences .
