Wikipedia describes “psychopathy” as persistent antisocial behaviour, impaired empathy, and remorse. This word is used so many times before, that it lost its actual meaning and almost became synonymous with “evil” and “cruel”. Artists, filmmakers in particular (from Hitchcock to Scorsese) have a fascination with psychopathy. And they have been portrayed a number of times in movies. Here is a list of the 20 best movies on Psychopaths you should not miss.
1. Basic Instinct
Directed by Paul Verhoeven, this film has all of Verhoeven’s common themes: Sex and violence. It follows detective Nick as he investigates the murder of Johnny Boz. He suspects Johnny’s girlfriend to be the culprit, but things get complicated when he falls for her.
Stream on: Amazon
2. Misery
Adapted from the novel by Stephen King, Misery follows the story of a romance novelist Paul Sheldon who meets with an accident. He is rescued by one of his fans, who is obsessed with him, only to discover he is her prisoner.
Stream on: Amazon
3. Funny Games
Funny Games is one of the most disturbing of Michael Haneke’s movies. What was supposed to be a peaceful vacation for a couple in their lakeside vacation home, was terrorized by Paul and Peter.
Stream on: Amazon
4. Saw
The now-famous Saw series follows the exploit of Jigsaw, who devises deathly traps for people. I am talking about the first movie in the series, directed by James Wan. Two men find themselves in a room on the opposite sides of a dead body. Each of them is given specific instructions to kill the other or face consequences.
Stream on: Amazon Prime Video
5. Psycho
What’s there to say about Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho? Even after 60 years, Psycho is intense and gripping which undoubtedly places it among the best movies about psychopaths. It follows Marion, who disappears after stealing money from her boss. Her lover and sister reach the infamous Bates Motel in search of her.
Stream on: Apple TV
6. Prisoners
“Prisoners” is one of Denis Villeneuve’s best works. Even though it is not acknowledged but it is heavily inspired by a 1988 Dutch film The Vanishing, directed by George Sluizer. Prisoners follow Keller Dover, who decides to search for his kidnapped daughter and her friend on his own after the police take time to do so.
Stream on: Amazon Prime Video
7. American Psycho
By now, this film is iconic. It stars Christian Bale as Patrick Bateman as a wealthy investment banker who hides his psychopathic ego from his friends. Though his fantasies escalate and he submits to an uncontrollable bloodlust.
Stream on: Amazon
8. Cape Fear
Directed by Martin Scorsese, starring Robert De Niro as Max Candy, Cape Fear is one of their best collaborations. After serving 14-year prison, Max stalks Sam, his defence lawyers for withholding evidence in court that was in his favour.
Stream on: Amazon Prime Video
9. Primal Fear
Aaron, an altar boy, is charged with the horrific murder of Archbishop Rushman. As a renowned lawyer, Marin Vale takes the case, things don’t go as smoothly. This film features one of the best performances of Edward Norton’s career. (And probably has one of the best plot twists).
Stream on: Apple TV
10. Se7en
Directed by David Fincher, Seven is arguably his best film. A serial killer murders people according to the seven deadly sins. Two detectives try to bring the killer to justice.
Stream on: Netflix
11. No Country For Old Man
Coen brother’s masterpiece, Roger Ebert called this film “perfect”. It features one of the most terrifying villains in cinema history, Anton Chigurh. I think it can be called a western. But not in the conventional sense. It transcends the genre through the course of the film.
Stream on: Netflix
12. Gone Girl
Another David Fincher. I just finished watching Gone Girl for the 4th time. I cannot say I am a big David Fincher fan, but there is something about his filmmaking that grips me every time I sit down to watch a David Fincher film. When his wife goes missing on the morning of their fifth anniversary, Nick Dunne discovers that the entire media attention is shifted towards him.
Stream on: Amazon Prime Video
13. The Shining
Well, you know about The Shining, don’t you? Again, and this might be an unpopular opinion, I am not the biggest fan of Stanley Kubrick. I like the films that he did in black and white more than his colour films, with the exception of The Shining. It is one of the best horror films I have ever seen.
Stream on: Amazon
14. Split
I have a soft spot for M. Night Shyamalan. He has lost his mojo over the years, but I am watching anything and everything he does. His filmmaking is extremely soothing, which runs in contrast to the kind of stories he tells. And it is this contrast that I love so much. Split is about a man with 23 different personalities, who kidnaps three women.
Stream on: Amazon
15. Hostel
Before you watch it, I must warn you, it is extremely gory. “Hostel” is about a group of friends who are on a trip around Europe when a man convinces them to visit a hostel. They soon discover it was the worst decision of their life.
Stream on: Netflix
16. Tusk
An exceptionally weird one. Tusk follows podcaster Wallace Bryton, who travels to Canada to take an interview with an infamous celebrity with a strange affinity towards Walruses. Not a very good film. But it’s fun to watch.
Stream on: Netflix
17. Halloween
John Carpenter’s classic slasher thriller. It follows Michael Myers who was imprisoned for 15 years for killing his sister escapes while being transferred for a court date. He comes back to his quiet hometown and looks for his next victims.
Stream on: Amazon
18. Orphan
A couple adopts a nine-year-old girl after they lose their baby. They soon make a troubling discovery and realize that something isn’t right with her.
Stream on: Netflix
19. Silence of the Lambs
Silence of the Lambs wouldn’t be what it is without the terrifying performance of Anthony Hopkins and an equally good Jodie Foster. Clarice, an FBI agent seeks help from Hannibal Lecter, a former psychiatrist and a psychopathic killer to catch another serial killer who has been claiming female victims. The storyline, the performances and Jonathan Demme’s crisp directing style makes it one of the best movies about psychopaths.
Stream on: Amazon
20. Shutter Island
One of the most underrated movies by Martin Scorsese. I don’t know why, but not many people talk about this film even though it is among the best movies about psychopaths. It follows Teddy and Chuck, two US marshals, who were sent to an asylum on a remote island in order to investigate the disappearance of a patient. During the course of their visit, Teddy uncovers a shocking truth.
Stream on: Netflix
This was the list of the 20 best movies about Psychopaths. How many have you seen? Let us know in the comments.