12 + 1 movies about psychopathy that every movie buff should see

As we all know, the figure of the psychopath It has been used repeatedly in the world of cinema. Typically, characters with psychopathic traits are represented by the typical knife killer who goes after young teenagers who are having a wild evening with their friends.

Movies about psychopaths: the definitive ranking

But we go beyond that. We invite the most cinephiles and, especially, fans of this type of genre, to get into the world of antisocial personality disorder through the magic of cinema. To achieve this, we have compiled a list of films particularly recommended by a passionate about this subject.

We will not reveal “spoilers” about the movies so you can fully enjoy them!

Timeless classics addressing psychopathy

We cannot open this article without mentioning, of course, the classic movies that address psychopathy. Surely many of them you will already know, but for that reason we should not ignore these jewels of the entertainment world.

1. The Silence of the Lambs (1991)

Considered a cult film and one of the best in the horror genre, we find a classic:

The silence of the lambs (along with all the others in the saga), with Hannibal Lecter as the protagonist played by the great Anthony Hopkins, it was a five-Oscar-winning film.

The FBI is looking for the so-called "Buffalo Bill", a serial killer who hunts and murders teenagers, meticulously preparing each crime and peeling off the skin afterwards. Clarice Starling, an expert in psychopathic behavior, is hired to help catch this ruthless killer. To do this, he visits the high security prison where Hannibal Lecter, formerly psychoanalyst and cruel murderer and endowed with an intelligence far superior to the common one, with the aim of obtaining information on the behavior patterns of the murderer who walks free.

2. American Psycho (2000)

Patrick Bateman, played by the famous and charming Christian Bale, is a handsome and successful yuppie Wall Street apparently owns it all: he's chivalrous, he's attractive, he is smart, powerful and gets the woman he wants. But it seems that, underneath all this apparent perfection, there resides a sadistic potential murderer, of whom no one suspects due to his high social status.

For those of you who have not seen this movie, what are you waiting for? Absolutely recommended, heartbreaking, with touches of acid humor that go like a glove, mixed with scenes of depravity that make American psycho in an essential film about psychopathy.

3. A Clockwork Orange (1971)

Directed by the excellent and neat Stanley kubrick, the story of A clockwork orange is about a boy (by the very successful Malcolm McDowell), who is used to a stormy life, full of violence and chaos. After multiple criminal acts committed by him and his companions, he is finally captured and imprisoned. During his internment as a prisoner, he decides to voluntarily submit to a method based on the behavioral psychology which aims to suppress violent impulses.

Probably, A clockwork orange is the best known film about the antisocial personality disorder. A famous film that, despite having been in the minds of moviegoers around the world for more than 40 years, is still a of the best cinematographic creations in history, as well as one of the most interesting to delve into the criminal conduct.

4. The Shining (1980)

Continuing with the direction of Stanley Kubrick and starring the experienced Jack Nicholson, the film deals with the history of Jack torrance, an ex-alcoholic writer who moves with his family to a lonely high mountain hotel to work as a night watchman.

Once there, he begins to undergo a series of psychic changes that lead to a spiral of violence against his wife and his son. In this case, the personality of the protagonist would better fit the sociopathy, for the psychological change that Jack undergoes as a result of the sudden change in his life.

5. Psychosis (1960)

We could not make this list without naming the famous movie Psychosis, directed by Alfred Hitchcok and starring Anthony Perkins.

This film is about the search for the secretary's killer Marion crane, an intrepid woman who was staying in a lonely roadside motel after running away with her company money.

6. Se7en (1995)

Essential. Directed by David Fincher and with a luxurious cast, with Morgan freeman, Brad Pitt, Gwyneth paltrow Y Kevin Spacey. A series of murders keeps two police officers from the investigation department in suspense. Horrified by the cruelty of the crimes, they are surprised by the hidden message that the killer is trying to leave.

With one of the most unexpected endings in film history, Se7en pushes the viewer to the limit, transporting you to the world of a macabre psychopath who aims to leave a dark message to the humanity.

Recent Movies About Psychopathy

Finally! After reviewing the undisputed classics that combine high-quality cinema with psychopathic characters, the time has come to review some billboard titles less than a decade old and that they also tell us about characters with antisocial personality disorder.

7. Funny games (2007)

A couple and their son are going to spend a few days and rest at their vacation home. Newly arrived, they meet two young men (Michael Pitt and Brady Corbet), apparently very friendly and polite, who ask them for eggs. From that moment on, the family is going to be involved in a hell of which they wish they had not been part of even in their worst nightmares.

Although there is a previous version, I am going to recommend the remake more current. Endowed with scenes of extreme cruelty, it is disturbing, Not suitable for sensitive people! In order not to spoil the sensations experienced when viewing this film, I am not going to explain anything else. Of course, I recommend you not see the trailer. Enjoy it! He simply has no waste.

8. Joshua the son of evil (2007)

A couple like any other celebrate the birth of their second child, Lily. Joshua, her first child, is no ordinary child. It has a frightening intelligence and precocity. He shows a macabre serenity for his young age, and he seems increasingly unhappy with the arrival of his sister into the family.

Subsequently, the family will be involved in a serious situation of domestic terror that they never expected. The reason?

9. Hard candy (2005)

Jeff, a 32-year-old photographer, organizes a meeting with Hayley (played by a very young Ellen Page), a 14-year-old teenager with whom he has been chatting online for a while. After meeting for coffee, Jeff invites Hayley to her house for a photo shoot.

A creepy, twisted film that plays with the viewer's mind and leaves no one indifferent. Fully recommended!

10. Perfume (2006)

Jean Baptiste was born among the remains of fish and rot, abandoned by his mother. He was sent to a hospice where he was raised in a totally hostile environment, repudiated by all due to his strange peculiarity: he lacked body odor. Although, nevertheless, she possessed an exceptional sense of smell, a fact that led him to become obsessed with catching all kinds of essences: the smell of glass, copper... and of young and beautiful women.

Excellent film that was winner of multiple awards and recognitions. In the line of The silence of the lambs, following a serial killer who commits his crimes in a very peculiar way and whose victims are only women.

11. Stoker (Perverse Ties, 2013)

The film is about India Stoker, a teenager who loses her father. Since then, his life has been broken, as his father was the only person with whom he felt a deep bond. His impassive demeanor hides deep dark feelings, which will be understood and shared by his uncle's. Charlie, a character who will appear by surprise to take care of her and her unstable mother (Nicole Kidman).

Special and surprising film to say the least, for its delicate and poetic way of treating violence and disturbance, exquisitely mixing it with eroticism.

12. We need to talk about Kevin (2011)

Last but not least, my biggest discovery and most recommended recent film on antisocial personality disorder.

Starring the unmatched Ezra Miller (in the adolescent stage) and nominated for several awards, this film is mainly about Kevin and his mother Eva his. Since his birth, Kevin has been a difficult child: he does not show appreciation to his mother, he cries incessantly, he does not learn to go to the bathroom just to be annoying and he shows no interest in anything. As the child grows, his behavior is increasingly sinister and his relationship with the mother, more conflictive.

A film that combines parts of the past and present, keeping the viewer in constant uncertainty. Exquisitely disturbing, with little dialogue and playing with textures, colors... to let the viewer's mind flow in all kinds of sensations. Only recommended for true fans of the genre!

Shutter island (2010)

This movie doesn't quite fit the criteria for antisocial personality disorder. In fact, it may be more related to another psychopathology: the post traumatic stress disorder. But I wanted to include it in this ranking of films that address psychopathy, not only because of its indirect relationship with the disorder but also because of its enormous psychological relevance. Well, let's say it all: because I consider it to be an absolutely wonderful movie.

I will not tell information about her, for the same reason that Funny games. Just… enjoy every second of this work of art!