12+1 Movies About Psychopathy That Every Movie Buff Should Know
As we all know, the figure of the psychopath has been used recurrently in the world of cinema. Normally, characters with psychopathic traits are represented by the typical knife killer who chases young teenagers who are having a crazy evening with their friends.
But we go beyond that. We invite the most cinephiles and, especially, the followers of this type of genre, to enter the world of antisocial personality disorder through the magic of cinema. To achieve this, we have prepared a list of films particularly recommended by someone passionate about this topic.
We will not reveal any “spoilers” about the movies so that you can fully enjoy them!
Timeless classics that address psychopathy
We cannot begin this article without mentioning, of course, the classic films that address psychopathy Surely you will already know many of them, but that does not mean we should ignore these gems of the world of entertainment.
1. The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
Considered a cult film and one of the best in the horror genre, we find a classic: The silence of the lambs (along with all the others in the saga), with Hannibal Lecter as the protagonist represented by the great Anthony Hopkins, it was a film that won five Oscars.
The FBI is looking for the so-called “Buffalo Bill”, a serial killer who hunts down and murders teenagers, meticulously preparing each crime and ripping off their skin afterwards. Clarice Starling, an expert in psychopathic behavior, is hired to help catch this ruthless killer. To do this, she visits the high-security prison where Hannibal Lecter, a former psychoanalyst and cruel murderer and endowed with intelligence far superior to the common one, is being held, with the aim of obtaining information about the behavioral patterns of the murderer who is free.
2. American Psycho (2000)
Patrick Bateman played by the famous and charming Christian Bale, is a handsome and successful yuppie Wall Street guy apparently has it all: he’s chivalrous, he’s handsome, he’s smart, he’s powerful, and he gets the woman he wants. But it seems that, beneath all this apparent perfection, lies a potential sadistic murderer, whom no one suspects due to his high social status.
For those of you who have not seen this movie, what are you waiting for? Absolutely recommended, heartbreaking, with touches of acid humor that fit like a glove, mixed with scenes of depravity that make American Psycho in an essential film about psychopathy.
3. A Clockwork Orange (1971)
Directed by the excellent and verbose Stanley Kubrick the story of A Clockwork Orange is about a boy (played by the very successful Malcolm McDowell), who is accustomed to a stormy life, full of violence and chaos. After multiple criminal acts committed by him and his companions, he is finally captured and imprisoned. During his confinement as a prisoner, he decides to voluntarily undergo a method based on behavioral psychology that aims to suppress violent impulses.
Probably, A Clockwork Orange is the best-known film about antisocial personality disorder. A famous film that, despite having been in the retina of moviegoers around the world for more than 40 years, continues to be one of the best cinematographic creations in history, as well as one of the most interesting to delve into criminal behavior.
4. The Shining (1980)
Continuing to be directed by Stanley Kubrick and starring the experienced Jack Nicholson, the film is about the story of Jack Torrance an ex-alcoholic writer who moves with his family to a lonely high mountain hotel to work as a night watchman.
Once there, he begins to suffer a series of psychic changes that lead him into a spiral of violence against his wife and son. In this case, the personality of the protagonist would fit better with the sociopathydue to the psychological change that Jack undergoes due to the sudden change that his life experiences.
5. Psycho (1960)
We couldn’t make this list without mentioning the very famous movie Psychosisdirected by Alfred Hitchcock and starring Anthony Perkins.
This film is about the search for the secretary’s murderer. Marion Crane an intrepid woman who was staying in a lonely roadside motel after having absconded with her company’s money.
6. Se7en (1995)
Essential. Directed by David Fincher and with a luxury cast, with Morgan Freeman, Brad Pitt, Gwyneth Paltrow and Kevin Spacey A series of murders keeps two police officers from the investigation department in suspense. Horrified by the cruelty of the crimes, they are surprised by the hidden message that the murderer is trying to leave.
With one of the most unexpected endings in the history of cinema, Se7en takes the viewer to the limit, transporting them to the world of a macabre psychopath who aims to leave a dark message to humanity.
Recent movies about psychopathy
At last! Once we have reviewed the indisputable classics that combine high-quality cinema with psychopathic characters, the time has come to review some billboard titles less than a decade old and they also tell us about characters with antisocial personality disorder.
7. Funny games (2007)
A couple and their son are going to spend a few days and rest at their vacation home. Recently arrived, they meet two young men (Michael Pitt and Brady Corbet), apparently very cordial and polite, who ask them for eggs. From that moment on, the family will be involved in a hell that they wish they had not participated in, not even in their worst nightmares.
Although there is a previous version, I am going to recommend the remake more current. Equipped with scenes of extreme cruelty, it is disturbing, not suitable for sensitive people! In order not to spoil the sensations experienced when watching this film, I am not going to explain anything more. Of course, I recommend not watching the trailer. Enjoy it! There is simply no waste.
8. Joshua, the son of evil (2007)
A couple like any other celebrates the birth of their second child, Lily. Joshua, their first child, is no ordinary child. He has an intelligence and precocity that is frightening. He displays a macabre serenity for his young age, and seems increasingly unhappy with the arrival of his sister to the family.
Subsequently, the family will find themselves involved in a serious situation of domestic terror that they would never have expected. The reason?
9. Hard candy (2005)
Jeff, a 32-year-old photographer, organizes a meeting with Hayley (played by a very young Ellen Page), a 14-year-old teenager with whom he has been chatting online for some time. After meeting for coffee, Jeff invites Hayley to her house for a photo shoot.
A creepy, twisted film that plays with the viewer’s mind and leaves no one indifferent. Totally recommended!
10. The perfume (2006)
Jean Baptiste was born among the remains of fish and rot, abandoned by his mother. He was sent to a hospice where he was raised in a totally hostile environment, disowned by everyone due to his strange peculiarity: he lacked body odor. Although, however, he had an exceptional sense of smell, a fact that led him to become obsessed with capturing all kinds of essences: the smell of glass, copper… and young, beautiful women.
Excellent film that won multiple awards and recognitions. In the line of The silence of the lambsfollowing a serial killer who commits his crimes in a very peculiar way and whose victims are only women.
11. Stoker (Wicked Ties, 2013)
The film is about India Stoker, a teenager who loses her father. Since then her life has been broken, because her father was the only person with whom she felt a deep bond. Her impassive behavior hides deep dark feelings, which will be understood and shared by her uncle. Charlie a character who will appear by surprise to take care of her and her unstable mother (Nicole Kidman).
Special and surprising film to say the least, for its delicate and poetic way of dealing with violence and disturbance, exquisitely mixing it with eroticism.
12. We need to talk about Kevin (2011)
Last but not least, my greatest discovery and most recommended recent movie about antisocial personality disorder.
Starring the incomparable Ezra Miller (in his adolescent stage) and nominated for several awards, this film is mainly about Kevin and his mother Eva. Since his birth, Kevin has been a difficult child: he does not show any appreciation to his mother, cries incessantly, does not learn to go to the bathroom just to be annoying, and shows no interest in anything. As the boy grows, his behavior becomes increasingly sinister and his relationship with his mother becomes more conflictive.
A film that combines parts of the past and present, keeping the viewer in constant uncertainty. Exquisitely disturbing, with little dialogue and playing with textures, colors… to let the viewer’s mind flow in all kinds of sensations. Only recommended for true fans of the genre!
Shutter Island (2010)
This movie doesn’t quite fit the criteria for antisocial personality disorder. In fact, it may be more related to another psychopathology: post-traumatic stress disorder. But I wanted to include it in this ranking of films that address psychopathy, not only because of its indirect relationship with the disorder but because of its enormous psychological relevance. Well, and let’s say it all: because I think it is an absolutely wonderful film.
I will not say information about her, for the same reason as funny games. Just… enjoy every second of this work of art!
