If you’re a fan of psychological dramas like The Master, you’re in for a treat. This genre dives deep into the complexities of human behavior and relationships. Below, I’ve compiled a list of 12 movies that share thematic or stylistic similarities with The Master. Check out The Master here.
1. There Will Be Blood
There Will Be Blood is a gripping tale of ambition and greed in the early 20th century oil industry. Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson, it stars Daniel Day-Lewis in an Oscar-winning performance as the ruthless oilman Daniel Plainview.
2. Taxi Driver
Martin Scorsese’s Taxi Driver is a dark and intense exploration of urban alienation and mental instability. Robert De Niro delivers an iconic performance as Travis Bickle, a troubled Vietnam War veteran who becomes a taxi driver in New York City.
3. A Beautiful Mind
A Beautiful Mind tells the true story of John Nash, a brilliant but troubled mathematician who struggles with schizophrenia. Directed by Ron Howard, the film stars Russell Crowe and Jennifer Connelly, and it won multiple Academy Awards, including Best Picture.
4. Black Swan
Black Swan is a psychological thriller that delves into the dark side of the ballet world. Directed by Darren Aronofsky, it stars Natalie Portman in an Oscar-winning role as a ballerina whose obsession with perfection leads to her unraveling.
5. Fight Club
David Fincher’s Fight Club is a provocative film that explores themes of identity, consumerism, and mental health. The movie stars Edward Norton as an insomniac office worker and Brad Pitt as the charismatic leader of an underground fight club.
6. Requiem for a Dream
Requiem for a Dream is a harrowing look at addiction and its devastating effects on individuals and their relationships. Directed by Darren Aronofsky, the film features powerful performances by Ellen Burstyn, Jared Leto, and Jennifer Connelly.
7. Birdman
Birdman is a dark comedy-drama that follows a washed-up actor trying to revive his career by staging a Broadway play. Directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu, it stars Michael Keaton, Emma Stone, and Edward Norton, and it won the Academy Award for Best Picture.
8. American Psycho
American Psycho is a satirical psychological thriller that delves into the mind of a wealthy New York City investment banker with a dark secret. Directed by Mary Harron, it stars Christian Bale in a chilling performance as Patrick Bateman.
9. The Machinist
The Machinist is a psychological thriller about a factory worker who suffers from severe insomnia and begins to question his sanity. Directed by Brad Anderson, the film features a haunting performance by Christian Bale, who underwent a dramatic physical transformation for the role.
10. No Country for Old Men
No Country for Old Men is a tense and violent thriller that explores themes of fate and morality. Directed by the Coen Brothers, it stars Tommy Lee Jones, Javier Bardem, and Josh Brolin, and it won four Academy Awards, including Best Picture.
11. Shutter Island
Shutter Island is a psychological thriller set in a mental institution, where a U.S. Marshal investigates the disappearance of a patient. Directed by Martin Scorsese, the film stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Mark Ruffalo, delivering a suspenseful and twist-filled narrative.
12. Donnie Darko
Donnie Darko is a cult classic that blends psychological drama with science fiction and horror elements. Directed by Richard Kelly, it stars Jake Gyllenhaal as a troubled teenager who experiences visions of a mysterious figure in a rabbit costume.
