About Fight Club
Directed by David Fincher, Fight Club is a psychological thriller about a disgruntled corporate worker (Edward Norton) who meets a carefree soap salesman (Brad Pitt). Together they begin a ‘fight club.’ A club for men to let off some steam in some bare-fisted boxing. However, pretty soon this is taken to a whole new level where the ‘carefree soap salesman’ ends up being a paranoid delusion. A delusion which wants to start a revolution by taking out America’s largest credit reporting agency through use of homegrown terrorism.
After a recent re-watch I started to think about other psychological thriller movies like Fight Club. Even if you have seen them already, these are some great movies to revisit.
Movies worthy of David Fincher’s Fight Club.
RELATED: 21 Fight Club Trivia Questions and Answers
1. Memento (2000)
Written and directed by Christopher Nolan, Memento follows the investigations of Leonard Shelby, an insurance investigator who suffers from anterograde amnesia which means he can’t form new memories. So he uses notes and tattoos addressed to himself as clues to help him find the person responsible for murdering his wife. There’s also plenty of stars from The Matrix films that appear which will made me come up with the conspiracy theory: what if Memento is just another level of The Matrix? I clearly need help.
2. The Machinist (2004)
Written by Scott Kosar and directed by Brad Anderson, The Machinist is a dark psychological drama featuring a machinist who is suffering from guilt and paranoid delusions because he hasn’t been able to sleep for an entire year. Fun fact: this is the film in which people started to speculate and worry about Christian Bale’s health as he lost 28 kilos (62 pounds) in order to look the part for the film. I remember loaning the DVD of the Machinist to an old room mate who swiftly returned it after watching with a note attached saying “this is f***ed up.” And if that’s not an accurate review then I don’t know what is.
3. Dark City (1998)
Directed by Alex Proyas, Dark City is a neo noir science fiction film which starts with a murder by a man with amnesia which quickly descends in an existential dilemma infused epic sci-fi ballad of The Matrix-like proportions. While Dark City was no mainstream success, it certainly deserves its cult-like status and is a worthy addition to this list.
4. Gone Girl (2014)
Written by Gillian Flynn and directed by David Fincher, Gone Girl centres on a husband and wife in which the wife disappears without a trace and the whole community (including the media) suspect foul play at the hands of the wife. The film then pivots to reveal that the wife isn’t actually dead and that the husband is far from the “good guy” type we were introduced to at the start of the film. Thanks to the score from Nine Inch Nails frontman Trent Reznor and his writing partner Atticus Ross there’s an eeriness to Gone Girl which only an impressive score like this could deliver.
5. The Prestige (2006)
Co-written by Christopher Nolan and Jonathan Nolan and directed by Christopher Nolan, The Prestige is about the rivalry between two magicians seeking superiority over each other. Eventually things get ugly and a murder ensues but this movie is far from simple. You won’t know what will happen next in this meeting of the magical minds.
6. Donnie Darko (2001)
Written and directed by Richard Kelly, Donnie Darko is set in the late 80s in which a depressed teenager sleep walks and in doing so escapes an accident which would’ve killed him. And just when you think things couldn’t get any weirder, an evil rabbit visits that same teenager later in the film to let him know that the world will end in just over 28 days because that accident he narrowly escaped should’ve killed him.
Make sense? No? Watch the movie.
7. A Scanner Darkly (2006)
Written and directed by Richard Linklater, A Scanner Darkly is an adult animated science fiction/mystery drama based on the 1977 Philip K Dick novel of the same name. A Scanner Darkly is set around a dystopia which is constantly under police surveillance while a drug addiction epidemic is breaking out. Do yourself a favour, watch this film as sober as possible or don’t. Either way, it’s a butt load of fun!
8. Tenet (2020)
Written and directed by Christopher Nolan, Tenet is a science fiction film which challenges the normal flow of the space time continuum. In Tenet, the viewer is drawn into the world of a former CIA agent who learns how to weaponise time itself and prevent attacks from the future. And in true Christopher Nolan form, there’s plenty of clever camera tricks that will make you feel like you’re the one travelling through time and on mind altering substances. This film is peak Nolan creativity.
9. The Game (1997)
Directed by David Fincher, The Game is about a wealthy investment banker who receives a gift from his brother which is for a game that begins to take over every aspect of his life. Pretty soon things get out of hand and a larger conspiracy reveals itself. One which appears to be a real threat!
10. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)
Directed by Michel Gondry, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind is a romantic science fiction drama where Joel’s girlfriend, Clementine, has all memories of him erased from her memory by the company called “Lacuna.” Distraught, Joel does the same thing. Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind heads on a sinister route when one of Lacuna’s employees uses Joel’s memories of Clementine to try and seduce her. Ever wondered what romantic infused Total Recall would be like? No, neither have I but this movie is it.
11. 1408 (2007)
Directed by Mikael Håfström, 1408 is based on a Stephen King short story of the same name in which writer Mike Enslin investigates the strange and paranormal occurrences in a seedy and rundown hotel. The paranormal activity seems centralised on room 1408 and Mike Enslin a barrage of strange and unusual ghostly activity. This is a film not to watch just before bed – or if you’re staying in a hotel.
12. Requiem for a Dream (2000)
Co-written and directed by Darren Aronofsky, Requiem for a Dream follows four characters affected by drug addiction and as the movie progresses they eventually deteriorate into seeing and believing their own delusions. Not to mention severe catastrophes which soon follow.
13. The Truman Show (1998)
Directed by Peter Weir, The Truman Show is about an insurance salesman is unaware that his entire life is a manufactured reality tv show and he’s the main star. It’s a painful mirror put up against modern society and it’s obsession with fame and it’s treatment of the stars prop up. Some of Jim Carey’s best work can be found in this movie.
14. Inception (2010)
Inception is a science fiction action film written and directed by Christopher Nolan in which Cobb and Arthur perform a form of corporate espionage by infiltrating the dreams of their subjects and placing ideas in their subconscious. The dream-like state is achieved by Nolan and his team through a series of impressive camera and CGI techniques which create a mind-altering state.
15. Shutter Island (2010)
Directed by Martin Scorsese, Shutter Island is a psychological thriller about a Deputy U.S. Marshal who investigates a patient disappearance on an island whose facility houses the insane and disturbed. As the movie and storyline begins to unfold, it becomes clear to the viewer that all is not as it appears to be. With the reveal at the end cementing Shutter Island as one of Leonardo Di Caprio’s greatest performances!
RELATED: Wicked Twists: 21 Movies like Shutter Island
16. Nightcrawler (2014)
Written and directed by Dan Gilroy, Nightcrawler is a psychological thriller about a photographer who captures violent events late at night and then sells the footage to a local news station. However, things escalate when the photographer is no longer satisfied with what he can simply find and so starts involving himself in the crime – in one form or another.
17. Blade Runner 2049 (2017)
Directed by Denis Villeneuve, Blade Runner 2049 is a cyberpunk science fiction which is a sequel to the original Blade Runner. Set 30 years later, K, a Nexus-9 replicant and Blade Runner, searches for another replicant who vanished right after the events of the first Blade Runner film. What follows is a deep seeded conspiracy which threatens to unravel the very fabric of civilisation and K will do whatever he can to stop it. Even if it means self sacrifice.
Blade Runner 2049 capitalises on the success of the first Ridley Scott film through use of impressive camera work, outstanding CGI and a storyline that not only links the two films but also enhances the world of this futuristic dystopian earth.
18. American History X (1998)
Directed by Tony Kaye, white supremacist Derek goes to jail for a hate crime in which he “curb stomps” an African American, killing him instantly. Once out of jail and seeing the error of his pro-Nazi ways, Derek does what he can to try and change the thoughts of his younger brother, Danny, who is following a similar to his older brother. A path which could spell disaster for both of them.
American History X is a violent and uncomfortable reminder that racism, hate crimes and homegrown terrorism is still a present threat – even over 20 years after this movie was first released.
19. Whiplash (2014)
Written and directed by Damien Chazelle, Whiplash is a psychological drama about a talented jazz drummer who is pushed to his musical talent’s limit through the coaching and instruction of his instructor at the fictional Shaffer Conservatory in New York City. Whiplash tackles many different themes but the biggest one is clearly mental and psychological abuse – inflicted by the instructor. If you’ve ever had an overzealous music teacher then this movie will potentially make you relive that trauma.
20. American Psycho (2000)
Directed by Mary Harron and based on Bret Easton Ellis’ novel of the same name, American Psycho is a dark psychological thriller which verges on horror and comedy to convey its overall message. American Psycho is about investment banker Patrick Bateman who leads a double life where he lives out his psychopathic fantasies as a serial killer.
At the start of the movie he’s able to balance his double life precariously but eventually he devolves and his thirst for blood becomes uncontrollable. Over time, critics have spoken ill of this film for promoting this idea that white privileged men can get away with anything but I’m going to let you be the judge.
21. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011)
Written by David Zaillian and directed by David Fincher, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is a psychological thriller based on the best-selling of the same name – which is written by author Stieg Larsson. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is about journalist Mikael Blomkvist and his investigation of a girl who disappeared from his wealthy family 40 years prior to the events of the film. With the help of a hacker named Lisbeth Salander, the pair begin to investigate and find a string of murders that relate to Nazi’s and anti-semitism which takes the story down a truly dark path.
22. Natural Born Killers (1994)
Directed by Oliver Stone, Natural Born Killers is a violent thriller involving two lovers who also commit crime together. Not unlike a Bonnie and Clyde duo, Natural Born Killers starts off with the childhood of the two killers which are both traumatic. This turns them into lovers and killers ultimately. The themes of this theme is the American media’s glorification of violence and crime. Not to mention the worship of serial killers. It’s an interesting narrative on all the above.
23. V for Vendetta (2005)
Directed by James McTeigue and based on the Alan Moore graphic novel of the same name, V for Vendetta is about a totalitarian regime that occupies Britain and focuses on a masked freedom fighter who uses home grown terrorism tactics to try and overthrow the fascistic dystopian government. One of the biggest themes in this movie (besides fighting for freedom) is people power and how mobilising a revolution can bring about societal change.
RELATED: 22 V for Vendetta Trivia Questions and Answers
24. Seven (1995)
Directed by David Fincher, Seven is a psychological thriller featuring a serial killer who bases his kills around the seven deadly sins mentioned in the bible. It’s a dark movie with almost horror-like traits, drug references and a commentary on the seedy underbelly that was New York in the 1980s. It’s also one of the first psychological thrillers that started the trend of an ending twist which surprised audiences all around the world. Seven also saved David Fincher’s career and helped Brad Pitt transition into more serious roles.
25. Basic Instinct (1992)
Directed by Paul Verhoeven, Basic Instinct was a hugely successful erotically charged thriller that starred Michael Douglas and Sharon Stone. It starts with the death of a rockstar who Catherine Tramell is having sex with and is a suspect of his murder. As the Detectives investigate further this cat and mouse game of deceit, mistrust and sex is played out between between Catherine and Detective Nick Curran.
This is the film that both saved Sharon Stone’s career but also catapulted her into mainstream success.
What did you think of this list of ‘Movies like Fight Club’?
What did you think of Fight Club? Have you seen any of these films before?
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