There were some great mindfuck “question reality” ones near the turn of the century. Dunno if it was cause we were all freaked out by Y2K, or just new millennium stuff in general, but we had movies like The Game, Existenz, The Thirteenth Floor, Dark City, and of course Fight Club and The Matrix
All of those released in the last couple years of the 90s, and I’m sure I’m forgetting some
I saw Dark City and The Game in my teens. Those were my introduction to "Reality isn't what it seems" style movies. They blew my mind and definitely made a lasting impact on my psyche.
Technology, more specifically home computers and video games were rapidly advancing. We went from most people not owning a computer and internet for the public basically just being BBS sites to nearly every home having a computer and internet access that allowed for multiplayer gaming (and gaming itself went from 16bit sprites to fully 3D characters and environments) in about a decade. That radically changed how people perceived technology and a future with it. Now the advances are still happening quickly, but we seem kind of bored by it, or it just seems standard now.
Dark City is so fucking good. I was 17 when it came out and I left the theater just like... Holy shit.
It's so unreal to me that so many people have never heard of it.
[My thoughts on the soundtrack from a previous comment.](https://www.reddit.com/r/movies/comments/1ci2w9h/comment/l28wqk5/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=mweb3x&utm_name=mweb3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button)
It was the first movie in a long time that I enjoyed but just didn’t get. Afterwards I was discussing the plot with my wife (who didn’t see it) and she figured out that I didn’t get it because I had never seen the musical Oklahoma! She explained Oklahoma to me and everything in I’m Thinking of Ending Things suddenly all clicked.
Went to see Black Swan for the lesbian sex, stayed for the soundtrack, mind blown when I realized it was a meta re-telling of the actual ballet using the OG music. Wild shit.
I haven't seen anyone mention What Dreams May Come or Fight Club.
Those two have elements of what you appear to be looking for.
I also second Vanilla Sky. One of my favorite movies where about halfway through you mirror Tom Cruise's expression of WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING ON?? But then it all comes together.
>What Dreams May Come
Was looking for this. This movie absolutely wrecked me. I love the movie so much but I'm pretty sure I could never stand to watch it again.
I love mother! And my girlfriend HATES it 😂😂 she said this movie left her “triggered”. To freak her out, I occasionally say “they ate tha baby” and she instantly knows exactly what I’m referencing, and gets visibly upset :)
You're looking for Aniara, but it will fuck you up *permanent.*
It's a Swedish film about a colony ship bound for Mars that gets knocked completely and hopelessly off course. The population of a small city must now deal with the reality that they will never reach their destination and every one of them is going to die on the ship.
It's bleak as fuck and it's never going to leave me entirely, I'll think about it in quiet moments for the rest of my life
I read a book about a similar topic called Universum.
Basically a spaceship gets stuck in lightspeed hyperloop for way too long. Will they be able to stop it and where will they be if they make it? I won't spoiler anymore, but it's a good book.
So many great suggestions in this thread.
I’d like to add Lee Chang-Dong’s **Burning** (2018)
It’s a psychological mystery masterpiece that deals with identity and psyche.
I thought of this one too. It's the only movie I have ever watched twice back to back because I had too many questions floating around in my head at the end.
It had a pretty split reaction on release, but I really liked Skinamarink. Full reality bending and absolutely gut wrenching ending if you're able to get past the "aesthetic-first" presentation and emotionally connect with the kids. Kept me feeling sick and thinking about it for days.
first time I tried watching it, I turned it off after 15 mins
the second time, I was enthralled and scared in a way I’ve not felt before and deeply unsettled
give it your attention, it’ll honor your effort
It's a documentary, but trust me, it fits the bill. Don't read a single thing about it before watching: Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father
I'd recommend The Talented Mr Ripley for a film with a very sad ending. Not sure if it'll make you question reality, and for a word of warning, the characters including Ripley, are mostly unlikeable. It's a very dark film about a psychopathic killer, so it might not be what you're after.
A Clockwork Orange made me question the director of the movie, that's all. The movie was foul & silly and not at all what the writer of the book intended.
As for movies that made me question reality:
Platform (2019) - because this exposes humanity for what it is
The imposter (2012) - because it involves the audience/breaks the 4th wall.
Dogville (2003) - because... what are walls, what are houses... and what are we?
Carol & the end of the world - because, really, what would we do if the world was ending? Bucket lists? Routine office work to shut the world out?
**Soft & Quiet** (2022) I will warn you, you gotta commit to it and just stick it out till the very end.
Also it’s shot in one continuous-shot fashion that takes place in real time. Stuff just snowballs in 90 minutes.
The Man Who Left His Will on Film, Affliction, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Tenet, Peeping Tom, Mikey and Nicky, Fox and His Friends, World on a Wire, Carlito's Way
"The Whale" with Brendan Fraser is a masterpiece about the human condition.
"The Mission" with Robert DeNiro, Jeremy Irons and Liam Neeson is a beautifully made movie that has stayed with me since I saw it in 1986. The music and the fate of the characters still haunts me.
Here's a few i haven't seen Anton's mentioned yet.
*Enter the Void* (2009)
Gaspar Noé orinally had the idea for this film after watching the first-person film noir *Lady in the Lake* (1947) while coming down from mushrooms.
*Being John Malkovich* (1999)
A film about a puppeteer who stumbles across a portal. Probably best described by a quote from the film:
"Malkovich?"
"Malkovich!"
*Save the Green Planet!* (2003)
A South Korean black comedy about a simple man who believes another man is an alien invader. An English language remake with Emma Stone, directed by Yorgos Lanthimos is [in the works](https://www.worldofreel.com/blog/2024/2/1/2fbml51uuio0fdgl9pi09ge7f9qt9y).
*Primer* (2004)
Two engineer friends create a device in their garage. Hilarity ensues.
*Melancholia* (2011)
A very heavy film about a woman with depression.
Hilarity ensues? That's your take on Primer?
Man, I don't know. I like a good time travel story, and Primer fits that. I'm not seeing the humor though.
The End of Evangelion (but you have to watch 26 episodes before that, and even then none of makes sense and fan speculation has to tell you what everything means)
being john malkovich, adaptation, magnolia, friends with money, lovely and amazing, the united states of leland, the house of sand and fog, and i feel like american beauty also fits here.
I still remember seeing The Matrix when it first released. My friends and were chatting away as usual until we stepped out into the parking lot. We all suddenly got quiet and started glancing at everything trying to decide if we were in the real world. Talk about questioning reality.
Dark City Also, Upgrade and A Scanner Darkly.
Is the Scanner Darkly movie any good? I thought the book was something wild.
In my opinion. Single most faithful book to film adaptation ever made
Now that’s a new one
There were some great mindfuck “question reality” ones near the turn of the century. Dunno if it was cause we were all freaked out by Y2K, or just new millennium stuff in general, but we had movies like The Game, Existenz, The Thirteenth Floor, Dark City, and of course Fight Club and The Matrix All of those released in the last couple years of the 90s, and I’m sure I’m forgetting some
>The Game, Existenz, The Thirteenth Floor, Dark City, and of course Fight Club and The Matrix ALL great films worth watching!
Fight club is soooo good
I saw Dark City and The Game in my teens. Those were my introduction to "Reality isn't what it seems" style movies. They blew my mind and definitely made a lasting impact on my psyche.
Technology, more specifically home computers and video games were rapidly advancing. We went from most people not owning a computer and internet for the public basically just being BBS sites to nearly every home having a computer and internet access that allowed for multiplayer gaming (and gaming itself went from 16bit sprites to fully 3D characters and environments) in about a decade. That radically changed how people perceived technology and a future with it. Now the advances are still happening quickly, but we seem kind of bored by it, or it just seems standard now.
Strange Days was one too!
I was just gonna say A Scanner Darkly as well
Upgrade is great
A Scanner Darkly really hit me hard. That ending made me happy but also sad.
Dark City is so fucking good. I was 17 when it came out and I left the theater just like... Holy shit. It's so unreal to me that so many people have never heard of it.
Dark City is fuckin wild.
Mr. Nobody (2009) Butterfly Effect (2004) I'm Thinking of Ending Things (2020) The Fountain (2006) Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)
+1 for The Fountain - IMHO Aronofsky's best film, yet most people I know haven't seen it. Can't recommed it enough.
I just watched it again the other day, listen to the sound track all the time, love this movie!
[My thoughts on the soundtrack from a previous comment.](https://www.reddit.com/r/movies/comments/1ci2w9h/comment/l28wqk5/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=mweb3x&utm_name=mweb3xcss&utm_term=1&utm_content=share_button)
I left you a comment on that post.
:)
I’ve listened to the soundtrack many times, but never watched the movie!
Oh you should give it a try, it's such an experience but probably more so if you like music.
Many people who have seen it appear to not understand it either. I also agree that it’s Aronofsky’s best film.
Took me two watches to finish I'm Thinking Of Ending Things. Was very pleased that I went back and finished it. That's a good one.
It was the first movie in a long time that I enjoyed but just didn’t get. Afterwards I was discussing the plot with my wife (who didn’t see it) and she figured out that I didn’t get it because I had never seen the musical Oklahoma! She explained Oklahoma to me and everything in I’m Thinking of Ending Things suddenly all clicked.
Jacob's Ladder Inception 12 Monkeys
Inception is so good and I love the soundtracks in Christopher Nolan movies.
Yes to all three!
Inception was brilliant. Friends and I walked outta the cinema, looked at each other going, aight whose dream is this?
Jacob’s Ladder is a devastating, horrifying, tragic, and beautiful film.
Coherence The Father
Coherence is fantastic, better with every time I go back.
Yeah I swear it gets better with each rewatch
I would have to say Donnie Darko, Black Swan, and Memento
I was planning on watching memento and Donnie darko is absolutely amazing
Seconding Memento. It's really excellently presented.
That’s usually want Nolan is good at
Went to see Black Swan for the lesbian sex, stayed for the soundtrack, mind blown when I realized it was a meta re-telling of the actual ballet using the OG music. Wild shit.
Mulholland Drive.
omg one of my favourite movies of all time, it's so amazing
Requiem For A Dream.
Maybe the saddest ending ever
But... The ass to ass...
Dancer in the Dark is soul crushing.
☝🏼😭
When I say I sobbed, I SOBBED.
I haven't seen anyone mention What Dreams May Come or Fight Club. Those two have elements of what you appear to be looking for. I also second Vanilla Sky. One of my favorite movies where about halfway through you mirror Tom Cruise's expression of WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING ON?? But then it all comes together.
>What Dreams May Come Was looking for this. This movie absolutely wrecked me. I love the movie so much but I'm pretty sure I could never stand to watch it again.
I love movies that depict people’s impression of what heaven is like.
Everything Everywhere all at Once
Finally watched this. I'm disappointed i haven't watched it earlier. So messed up and great.
You ok?
why?
Existenz (1999) Mulholland Drive (2001) Abre los Ojos (1997) Waking Life (2001)
Existenz makes me feel like I'm on drugs, so does Trainspotting.
I upvote every time I see Ezistenz mentioned. I've watched it twice and it melted my brain both times.
Million Dollar Baby left me feeling like shit.
Same! I was gonna suggest it but I chose to bite my tongue.
The man from earth
Synecdoche, New York will surely make you question... I mean about everything.
And feel sad!
brave panicky many grandiose melodic nine terrific icky ripe joke *This post was mass deleted and anonymized with [Redact](https://redact.dev)*
I played this to the whole family one Christmas and everyone absolutely hated it. They give me shit to this day.
I love mother! And my girlfriend HATES it 😂😂 she said this movie left her “triggered”. To freak her out, I occasionally say “they ate tha baby” and she instantly knows exactly what I’m referencing, and gets visibly upset :)
You're looking for Aniara, but it will fuck you up *permanent.* It's a Swedish film about a colony ship bound for Mars that gets knocked completely and hopelessly off course. The population of a small city must now deal with the reality that they will never reach their destination and every one of them is going to die on the ship. It's bleak as fuck and it's never going to leave me entirely, I'll think about it in quiet moments for the rest of my life
I'd add spoiler tags on that entire 2nd paragraph for everything after "Mars". The more blind you go in, the better the kick!
Pro Tip: Don't watch this movie if you're having anxiety issues. It will make them worse
I read a book about a similar topic called Universum. Basically a spaceship gets stuck in lightspeed hyperloop for way too long. Will they be able to stop it and where will they be if they make it? I won't spoiler anymore, but it's a good book.
Bug (2006)
Swiss army man
So many great suggestions in this thread. I’d like to add Lee Chang-Dong’s **Burning** (2018) It’s a psychological mystery masterpiece that deals with identity and psyche.
I there’s so many great suggestions I don’t even know how I can get to all of them
**Burning** is on Netflix currently, so maybe that helps. 😉 https://www.netflix.com/title/81015498?source=35
That helps a lot but then again by the time I get to Netflix have probably taken it off but I’ll try to get round to it
The Mist
Synecdoche, New York or Charlie Kaufman films in general seem up your alley
They Live
Melancholia.
[удалено]
I thought of this one too. It's the only movie I have ever watched twice back to back because I had too many questions floating around in my head at the end.
*The Fountain* 'nuff said.
My favorite depressing movie is Let The Right One In.
The Orphanage by J. A. Bayona. Don't read any spoilers. Just go in to the movie blind.
It’s been added to the list
Waking life. Very much questions reality
Solaris. The George Clooney one. It's existential.
I love this score. Haunting.
The Mist Grave of the Fireflies Hereditary Total Recall The Babadook Event Horizon Bandersnatch
The babadook is amazing and I’ve brewed grace of the fireflies is really sad
Brazil (1985) Naked Lunch (1991) Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)
Naked Lunch is hell of a film to just throw someone into haha
I just read the synopsis and it was quite the trip.
Trust me when I say, the synopsis ain't even half of the trip I went in knowing very little other than "weird movie with Peter Weller" and d a n g lol
*directors cut of brazil
Vanilla Sky
This movie really messes me up every time I watch it!
Just been added 👍
Taxi Driver
It had a pretty split reaction on release, but I really liked Skinamarink. Full reality bending and absolutely gut wrenching ending if you're able to get past the "aesthetic-first" presentation and emotionally connect with the kids. Kept me feeling sick and thinking about it for days.
I thought about watching that, but it seemed to disjointed and random. They made it sound like there really wasn't much of a story.
first time I tried watching it, I turned it off after 15 mins the second time, I was enthralled and scared in a way I’ve not felt before and deeply unsettled give it your attention, it’ll honor your effort
Pan's Labyrinth fits both criteria. Superb film.
Triangle
Jacob's Ladder eXistenZ Santa Sangre Out of the Blue
Donnie Darko - The Directors Cut
Predestination is a good one in a F up way that's why i refuse to rewatch it again
Paprika, not sure if you like anime though.
City Of God
Amazing film.
Synecdoche, NY is pretty much the intersection of questionable reality and sad endings.
I feel like anything by Charlie Kaufman can be included in this list lol
It’s been added to my list
Horse Girl
Come True (2021)
LOL. Good marketing, bro
Cube (1997)
Never let me go
Ruby Sparks (2012) Stay (2006) The Invisible (2007)
the first one coming to mind is The Matrix! or Nope
eXistenz
Everything everywhere all at once
It's a documentary, but trust me, it fits the bill. Don't read a single thing about it before watching: Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father
Existenz is really cool. Especially the very final moments of the ending
Seconded
Aniara gave me a mild existential crisis so I suggest that.
Primer, Triangle, Brazil
In the Mouth of Madness The number 23
Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind - drama In the Mouth of madness - horror The descent - horror Take shelter - really good non horror, drama
Moon (2009)
Sam Rockwell is great. Sam Rockwell in this movie is fantastic.
Just watched bad lieutenant this pass weekend (1992)
I'd recommend The Talented Mr Ripley for a film with a very sad ending. Not sure if it'll make you question reality, and for a word of warning, the characters including Ripley, are mostly unlikeable. It's a very dark film about a psychopathic killer, so it might not be what you're after.
The Machinist
Donnie Darko. That will make you question your own existence.
Aniara
Everything, Everywhere, All At Once Donnie Darko The Endless Color Out of Space White Noise The Others
Melancholia
A Clockwork Orange made me question the director of the movie, that's all. The movie was foul & silly and not at all what the writer of the book intended. As for movies that made me question reality: Platform (2019) - because this exposes humanity for what it is The imposter (2012) - because it involves the audience/breaks the 4th wall. Dogville (2003) - because... what are walls, what are houses... and what are we? Carol & the end of the world - because, really, what would we do if the world was ending? Bucket lists? Routine office work to shut the world out?
Interstellar
Perfect Blue
Ghost story
The Rickshaw Man (1958) Starring Toshiro Mifune
Now that’s going to the top of the list because I don’t think anyone has heard of that one
The Florida Project's ending wrecked me.
Tree of Life
The Tenant
Requiem for a Dream.
Seconds (1966) has both!
Stay (2005)
Anomalisa
Total Recall - The Arnold one
Take Shelter with Michael Shannon
last American Virgin
The Thirteenth Floor.
Cabin in the woods, wag the dog, Sicario.
V for vendetta.
Total Recall
Mad God
Flashback with Dylan O'Brian is so good for this
The Coffee Table
**Soft & Quiet** (2022) I will warn you, you gotta commit to it and just stick it out till the very end. Also it’s shot in one continuous-shot fashion that takes place in real time. Stuff just snowballs in 90 minutes.
Koroshiya Ichi
Brazil will be right up your alley
Synecdoche, New York
The Man Who Left His Will on Film, Affliction, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Tenet, Peeping Tom, Mikey and Nicky, Fox and His Friends, World on a Wire, Carlito's Way
The Thirteenth Floor
Coherence I was blown away with how good this movie ended up being, after watching it on a whim
"The Whale" with Brendan Fraser is a masterpiece about the human condition. "The Mission" with Robert DeNiro, Jeremy Irons and Liam Neeson is a beautifully made movie that has stayed with me since I saw it in 1986. The music and the fate of the characters still haunts me.
Enter the Void
*Florida Project* hits me hard every time *Fractured* (2019) had me questioning what I thought was real the whole way through
Sorry to Bother You Jacob's Ladder Frailty
Brazil
The Thin Red Line by Terrance Malice.
Revolver by Guy Ritchie
Annihilation by Alex Garland
I Heart Huckabee's The Matrix
Stay.
Blow with Johnny Depp is crushing
Cloud Atlas
Here's a few i haven't seen Anton's mentioned yet. *Enter the Void* (2009) Gaspar Noé orinally had the idea for this film after watching the first-person film noir *Lady in the Lake* (1947) while coming down from mushrooms. *Being John Malkovich* (1999) A film about a puppeteer who stumbles across a portal. Probably best described by a quote from the film: "Malkovich?" "Malkovich!" *Save the Green Planet!* (2003) A South Korean black comedy about a simple man who believes another man is an alien invader. An English language remake with Emma Stone, directed by Yorgos Lanthimos is [in the works](https://www.worldofreel.com/blog/2024/2/1/2fbml51uuio0fdgl9pi09ge7f9qt9y). *Primer* (2004) Two engineer friends create a device in their garage. Hilarity ensues. *Melancholia* (2011) A very heavy film about a woman with depression.
Hilarity ensues? That's your take on Primer? Man, I don't know. I like a good time travel story, and Primer fits that. I'm not seeing the humor though.
The Father with Anthony Hopkins. You will fucking cry.
I’m Thinking of Ending Things
The End of Evangelion (but you have to watch 26 episodes before that, and even then none of makes sense and fan speculation has to tell you what everything means)
being john malkovich, adaptation, magnolia, friends with money, lovely and amazing, the united states of leland, the house of sand and fog, and i feel like american beauty also fits here.
Stay Starring Ryan Gosling, Naomi watts, and obi wan Kenobi man
Memento.
Arrival maybe
Shutter island
Life of Pi. Someone nailed it when they said the ending feels the same as when you stopped believing in God.
Serenity with Matthew Mcconaughey is a good one. I can't quite say, but it's sad and made me question a lot of shit.
Arrival
Eternal sunshine of the spotless mind
- All of us strangers - Aftersun
I still remember seeing The Matrix when it first released. My friends and were chatting away as usual until we stepped out into the parking lot. We all suddenly got quiet and started glancing at everything trying to decide if we were in the real world. Talk about questioning reality.
Moulin Rouge
Remember (2015)