There are many movies of psychological nature and they are quite thought provoking for students. So we provide you with a list of movies that will be worth a watch. They will surely change your perspective of life as you move through with your student manuals and lead you to discover various mysteries of mind. Some of the films mentioned, do not escape the usual clichés, but others are quite amazing.
1. Instinct (1999)
The story revolves around a promising young psychiatrist, who tries to delve into the mind of an anthropologist who has been accused of killing and injuring some rangers. However, what was supposed to be a routine examination in prison becomes a journey into the darkest parts of society, where the human desire for power and control is challenged. It makes us understand more about the true history and nature of humanity.
2. Memento (2000)
The main themes of the film are the nature of memory, identity, time, disjointed memories, reality, manipulation and revenge. Leonard suffers a brain trauma that results in amnesia. He cannot store new memories, but has a few memories which allow him to perform day to day actions. The story is told from end to beginning, which will make you feel as confused as the protagonist.
3. Clockwork Orange (1971)
A film based on the psychological behavior of society. Alex, a young man, has only two passions: extreme violence and the music of Beethoven. He and his band of friends unload their violent instincts by beating, raping and terrorizing the population, and even committing murder. The authorities seek to recover Alex through behavioral treatment.
4. Shutter Island (2010)
Two federal agents reach an island where there is a mental hospital to investigate the disappearance of Rachel Solando, a patient who disappeared from a locked room. The movie begins as a thriller, but within a few minutes it has the audience hooked due to the psychological terror depicted at the beginning. This is one of those flicks that one needs to watch twice so as to understand and tie up the loose ends.
5. One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975)
The protagonist is accused of five cases of rape and to avoid prison he concocts a mental disorder, and is transferred to the state mental hospital for examination. From thereon begins the story in the psychiatric ward where all patients are on a considerable amount of medication; refusal to take medicine results in usage of force to administer the medicine. As most of the patients consider the medication sacred, what would the protagonist require to save the soul of all the patients there?
6. Girl, Interrupted (1999)
This film sheds light on different psychiatric disorders that range from sociopaths to bulimia to severe depression and borderline personality disorder. The protagonist is an 18 year old girl who feels confused, unsure and is struggling to understand a world that is rapidly changing.
7. The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
An FBI agent is responsible for submitting a questionnaire to Hannibal Lecter, a cannibal psychiatrist held in Baltimore prison. In return the FBI agent Sterling gets his help in tracking Buffalo Bill, who is a serial killer with gender identity disorders. As the film elapses, the film climax as Hannibal escapes and leads the FBI agents on a wild goose chase.
8. Psycho (1960)
The film tells a story of love, mental illness, criminal intrigue, suspense and horror with a macabre sense of humor. This film stands out because of the psychological profile of each of the characters, especially Norman Bates.
9. Taxi Driver (1976)
The film stars a psychotic cabbie, a Vietnam veteran without much education and basic intelligence. The cabbie suffers from depression and anxiety and feels rejected by society. Part of him is addicted to pornography but he falls for a worker on the presidential nominal candidate campaign but he receives not much response. The hope triggers a change in his psychotic character as he strives to improve socially and morally.
10. K-pax (2001)
A patient apparently seems to be suffering from some kind of psychosis, and claims to be from another planet and that he will eventually leave the Earth. Jeff Bridges, his psychiatrist, tries to bring his patient to reality but during the treatment, his own convictions begin to falter.