20 must watch psychology movies, thinking challenges you can't miss

Psychology is not just an abstract theory, it also permeates every aspect of our daily lives. As an art form, movies often showcase the complex psychological world of humanity in a more intuitive and emotional way. Today, let's take a look at 20 movies closely related to psychology that allow you to not only enjoy movies, but also deeply contemplate the inner world of humanity, exploring the subtle relationships between individuals and society, emotions and reason, and spirit and reality. The following movies are a must watch for psychology fans.

1. "Dangerous Methods"
   A Dangerous Method "is a 2011 psychological drama film directed by David Cronenberg and starring Michael Fassbender, Keira Knightley, and Vigo Mortensen. The film tells the story of the relationship between Carl Jung (played by Michael Fassbender) and Sigmund Freud (played by Viggo Mortensen), focusing on the conflicts and differences between the two psychological giants in their academic and personal lives.

The story revolves around Sabina Spearling (played by Keira Knightley), a mentally ill patient treated by Jung. She had a complex emotional entanglement with Jung during the treatment process, and the film delves into the origins of psychoanalytic theory, the treatment process, and the emotional interaction between therapists and patients.

This movie not only portrays the conflict between Freud and Jung's ideas, but also reveals some key theories in the development of psychology, such as the subconscious, sexual desire, and collective subconsciousness.

2. The Tree of Life
   The Tree of Life "is a 2011 drama film directed by Terence Malik, starring Brad Pitt, Jessica Chastain, and Sean Penn. The film tells the story of a family's life in the 1950s, while exploring the existence of humanity, the origin of the universe, and the meaning of life through a retrospective approach.

The movie portrays complex emotions and philosophical reflections on the relationship between parents, beliefs, conflicts between nature and humans through a child's growth process. It is not just a family drama, but also deeply explores the relationship between humans and the universe, humans and nature, existential issues such as life and death, and faith through visual shock and philosophical reflection.

The Tree of Life is full of depth in psychology and philosophy, exploring human self-awareness, emotional responses, and individual growth and exploration in family and society from a psychological perspective. It is a movie that is very suitable for audiences who enjoy contemplating the mysteries of life and the universe.

3. 'Soul Transfer Girl'
   The Skeleton Key is a 2005 psychological thriller film directed by Ian Swiftley and starring Kate Hudson. The film tells the story of young nurse Caroline (played by Kate Hudson) who takes on a job caring for comatose elderly people and arrives at a remote estate in Louisiana. As she gradually uncovered the mysterious events in the estate, Caroline found herself caught up in an ancient conspiracy of witchcraft and soul transfer.

The core theme of the movie revolves around soul transfer and psychological manipulation, and Caroline faces challenges in self-awareness and mental pressure during the exploration process. She realized that she not only had to fight against external terrifying forces, but also had to face the fear and confusion deep inside her.

The film showcases how individuals make choices when facing the unknown and psychological pressure, as well as how beliefs and fears influence behavior and judgment, through a tense atmosphere and complex psychological changes. Soul Transfer Girl combines psychological, thriller, and supernatural elements, making it a psychological thriller worth pondering repeatedly.

4. 'Shutter Island'
   Shutter Island "is a 2010 psychological thriller film directed by Martin Scorsese and starring Leonardo DiCaprio. The film is adapted from the novel of the same name by Dennis Lehan, set in 1954. It tells the story of federal detective Teddy Daniels (played by Leonardo DiCaprio) and his partner Chuck, who go to Asherim Mental Hospital on an isolated island to investigate a missing case. However, as the investigation deepened, Teddy gradually discovered an indescribable mysterious atmosphere permeating the island, with hospital staff and patients seeming to be hiding some secrets.

The psychological aspect of the film is extremely rich, involving profound themes such as identity recognition, psychological trauma, madness and rationality. The various illusions and confusions faced by Teddy on the island make the audience start to question what is reality and what is fiction. The psychological twists and complex plot in the film construct a story that is both suspenseful and thought-provoking, ultimately revealing Teddy's immense secrets deep within himself.

Shutter Island "is not only a thriller film, but also a movie that explores psychology, mental disorders, and the depths of human nature. It makes the audience reflect on their inner world in fear and confusion, and is a classic work worth savoring carefully.

5. 'Fracture'
   Fractured "is a 2019 psychological thriller film directed by Brad Anderson and starring Sam Worthington and Lily Rabe. The film tells the story of a man (played by Sam Worthington) who takes his wife and daughter on a vacation to a remote highway rest stop, but after an accident, his wife and daughter mysteriously disappear, and he begins to fall into increasingly deep psychological distress.

The plot of the movie is tense and suspenseful, running through themes of anxiety, loss, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in psychology. The film adopts a narrative style of multiple realities, and as the male protagonist becomes increasingly difficult to distinguish between reality and illusion, the audience's psychology is constantly challenged. The protagonist's anxiety, fear, and endless questioning of family loss gradually reveal the process of his inner collapse, and explore how cognitive distortions and psychological defense mechanisms affect individual behavior and judgment.

From a psychological perspective, 'Fracture' is an in-depth exploration of post-traumatic reactions and how individuals use psychological defense mechanisms to escape pain when facing significant emotional setbacks. The film is not just a thriller, it focuses more on the inner struggles and conflicts of the characters, especially how the protagonist attempts to reconstruct their self-awareness in the absence of loved ones.

Overall, 'Breaks' is a movie that explores psychological limits in a tense atmosphere, full of psychological elements, suitable for audiences who enjoy psychological analysis and in-depth character portrayal.

6. Insomnia
   Insomnia "is a psychological thriller film directed by Christopher Nolan and starring Al Pacino, Robin Williams, and Hilton Spearman. It was released in 2002. This movie tells the story of a senior detective who, during the pursuit of a murderer, falls into a profound moral and psychological conflict due to prolonged insomnia and psychological pressure.

The plot of the film revolves around a complex murder case, in which Detective Dylan Dalton, played by Al Pacino, is sent to a remote town in Alaska to investigate a case. However, in the special environment of excessive sunlight in the local area, insomnia became his biggest problem. As the case progresses, detective Dalton's judgment begins to deteriorate, and he constantly gets lost in the abyss of morality and emotion. The psychological game between him and the murderer (played by Robin Williams) also gradually heats up.

Insomnia "is not only a suspenseful crime film, but also a profound film about psychological and moral choices. Insomnia in movies is not only a physical problem, but also deepens the characters' psychological anxiety, guilt, and mental breakdown. Under the influence of insomnia, the detective experienced cognitive dissonance and emotional numbness, gradually realizing that he may also embark on a path of no return in the pursuit of justice. This movie also explores how guilt, moral paradoxes, and self-awareness can affect a person's decision-making and psychological state.

From a psychological perspective, the movie profoundly portrays the impact of long-term insomnia on cognitive functions of the brain, such as severe degradation in decision-making ability, memory, judgment, and other aspects. Insomnia not only causes characters to deviate from reality, but also creates an unavoidable psychological burden, ultimately leading to the collapse of emotions and rationality.

Overall, 'Insomnia' is a psychological suspense film with strong psychological elements, particularly suitable for audiences interested in psychological stress, moral dilemmas, and deep struggles of human nature.

7. "Beautiful Mind"
   A Beautiful Mind "is a 2001 film directed by Ron Howard and starring Russell Crowe, adapted from the true story of Nobel laureate in economics, John Nash. The film tells the story of the genius mathematician John Nash (played by Russell Crowe) struggling to persist in his career and life while facing the troubles of schizophrenia.

The film begins with Nash's youth at Princeton University, showcasing his extraordinary mathematical talent and his brilliant achievements in academia. However, in his most glorious moments, symptoms of schizophrenia gradually emerged, and he began to hear non-existent voices and see fictional characters, which plunged him into his own psychological illusions.

Beautiful Mind "is not just a biographical film about mathematical geniuses, but also delves deeper into the enormous impact of mental illness on personal lives, as well as the support and resilience of families and loved ones in the face of mental disorders. The film shows how John Nash overcame his illness and regained his life and career through long-term treatment and self effort.

This movie is full of touching and inspirational elements, while also providing a deeper understanding of mental illness and human psychology.

8. 'Weakness'
   The Blind Side "is a 2009 American film adapted from Michael Lewis' book of the same name. The film is directed by John Lee Hancock and stars Sandra Bullock, telling the true story of American professional football player Michael Oher.

The main plot of the film revolves around the journey of Michael Oher (played by Quevenzan Walton) growing into a football star. Michael was born into a poor family and experienced countless difficulties and challenges, even becoming homeless at one point. Until he met Lian Tuhe (played by Sandra Bullock), a warm-hearted middle-class woman who and her family decided to accept Michael and provide him with a warm home. Lian Tuchel not only provided Michael with material assistance, but more importantly, provided psychological support, allowing him to gradually build confidence and find his future.

Weakness "not only showcases athletic achievements and resilience in adversity, but also deeply explores the enormous role of family, love, and social support in life. Sandra Bullock won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her outstanding performance in the film. The film is full of warmth and inspiration, depicting the possibility for humans to rediscover their life direction through care and support in difficult situations.

9. The Joker
   Joker "is a 2019 American film directed by Todd Phillips and starring Joaquin Phoenix. The movie tells the origin story of the famous DC Comics villain character "Joker" - Arthur Fleck.

Arthur is a low-level clown performer living in Gotham City, who has long suffered from social exclusion and mental health issues. His life was filled with loneliness, poverty, and violence, and his ruthless response to society gradually escalated into madness. With the indifference of society and the increasingly extreme experiences of individuals, Arthur's psychological state continued to deteriorate, and ultimately he transformed from a victim into an extremely violent criminal - the Joker.

Joker "is a film that explores mental health, social injustice, and personal identity. The film reveals the serious consequences that can arise when society ignores the psychological needs of individuals through Arthur's story. Joaquin Phoenix has won multiple awards for his outstanding performance, including the Academy Award for Best Actor.

This movie is full of social realism, depicting how a person's inner world can be distorted under external pressure, and how a social system can foster violence in the absence of care.

10. The Seven Deadly Sins
    Se7en is a 1995 American psychological thriller film directed by David Fincher and starring Brad Pitt, Morgan Freeman, and Kevin Spacey. The movie tells the story of two detectives (played by Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman) who pursue a serial murder case motivated by seven charges.

The story takes place in a violent and corrupt city, where detective Mills (played by Pete) and elderly detective Somerset (played by Freeman) are assigned to investigate a series of extremely brutal murders. The killer's method of killing is closely related to the seven deadly sins in Christian doctrine (arrogance, jealousy, anger, laziness, greed, lust, and gluttony), and each murder represents a crime. As the investigation deepened, detectives realized that the killer was not just a simple criminal, but had more complex psychological motivations and philosophical concepts.

The Seven Deadly Sins "is not only a gripping crime film, but also a profound reflection on human nature, sin, and morality. The ending of the movie is unexpected and shocking, showcasing the psychological distortions and dark side of human nature in extreme situations. The film has received high praise for its unique atmosphere, tense plot, and excellent performance, becoming one of the classics of psychological thriller films.

11. The Twelve Palaces
    Zodiac is a 2007 American crime thriller film directed by David Fincher and starring Jack Gyllenhaal, Mark Ruffalo, and Robert Downey Junior. The movie is adapted from Robert Gravesmith's book of the same name and tells the story of the most famous unsolved serial murder case in American history - the "Zodiac Killer".

The story revolves around three main characters: a newspaper cartoonist (played by Gyllenhaal), a detective (played by Ruffalo), and a journalist (played by Tony). They have been trying to unravel the mystery of the true identity of the 'Zodiac Killer' for decades. The Zodiac Killer has been committing frequent crimes in the San Francisco area since the late 1960s, challenging the intelligence of police and the public through encrypted letters and puzzles that interact with the media. Although the police and journalists continue to investigate, the case remains inconclusive and the perpetrator has never been arrested.

The Twelve Palaces "is not only a crime film about a case, but also delves deeper into obsession, persistence, and human fear and curiosity towards the unknown. The movie portrays the mental pressure of long-term pursuit of criminal cases, depicting the psychological distortions and endless pursuit of truth during the pursuit of the culprit. The narrative style of the film is delicate and heavy, exploring the conflict between human nature and reason by revealing the complexity and mystery of the case.

12. The Girl Who Loves Horses
    Horse Girl "is a 2020 American psychological drama film starring Merritt Wever and directed by Sally Hawkins. The movie tells the story of a young woman facing mental distress and a crisis of self-awareness.

The protagonist of the film, Sarah (played by Melissa Barkley), is a lonely and introverted girl who works at a handicraft shop. Her main interests in life are horseback riding and interacting with horses. Sarah gradually fell into a strange situation, experiencing inexplicable mental and physical changes, such as strange dreams and a sense of temporal disorientation, and even a serious deviation in her perception of reality. As the plot develops, she begins to doubt whether she has a genetic or mental illness, and even suspects that she may not belong to this real world.

The Girl Who Loves Horses explores themes of loneliness, identity, and mental health by combining psychological and surreal elements. In the film, Sarah becomes increasingly lost in the gap between herself and the world. The ending of the film leaves the audience with a strong space for reflection, which is both confusing and triggers profound psychological introspection. This movie explores how psychological disorders affect a person's perception of reality, while also touching on themes of identity and self understanding.

13. 'All I See is You'
    All I See Is You "is a 2016 psychological drama film directed by Mark Foster and starring Blake Lively and Jason Clark. The film tells the story of a blind woman who, after undergoing surgery to regain her vision, faces her new life and changes in her relationship with her husband.

The protagonist of the film, Gina (played by Blake Lively), is a woman born blind, and her husband James (played by Jason Clark) has always been her caregiver, illuminating her world. After Gina successfully recovered her vision through a surgery, she began to see a world she had never experienced before, and this new discovery brought about a dramatic change in her life. However, as her understanding of the world gradually became clearer, she began to question her relationship with her husband and her own true feelings.

All I See is You "not only explores the physical aspects of restoring vision, but also delves deeply into psychological issues, especially themes such as identity recognition, intimate relationships, and emotional alienation. The movie explores from Gina's perspective how she faces changes in herself, marriage, and her feelings towards her husband during the process of restoring her vision, showcasing the psychological and emotional complexity. This film is a psychological journey about the relationship between vision and perception, dependence and independence

14. 'Deadly Gift'
    The Gift "is a psychological thriller film released in 2015, written, directed, and starring Joel Edgerton. The film is also co starring Jensen Bateman and Rebecca Hall.

The story revolves around a young couple - Simon (played by Jensen Bateman) and Robin (played by Rebecca Hull) - who move into a new home to start a new life. However, their lives were soon disrupted by Simon's former classmate Gordon (played by Joel Edgerton), who began to appear frequently in their lives and sent various "gifts". As the plot develops, Simon and Robin discover that Gordon is not just an uninvited old friend, his arrival reveals past secrets and forces them to re-examine themselves and their relationship with each other.

This movie explores revenge, guilt, past traumas, and secrets and concealment in interpersonal relationships through clever plot twists and elements of psychological suspense. The film has a tight pace and is full of psychological tension, deeply revealing the dark side of human nature, especially how the shadows of the past gradually emerge and affect our current lives and decisions.

15. "Wild Wolves"
    Wildling "is a psychological thriller film released in 2018, directed by Frederick Sherman and starring Belle Paley and Olivia Coleman.

The film tells the story of a young girl named Anna (played by Bell Parry) who grows up in a remote forest hut and lives under the care of her "father" - a mysterious man (played by Bruce Campbell). She has never left this forest and has never been exposed to the outside world. One day, Anna was taken to a new family and taken care of by a doctor (Olivia Coleman), beginning to integrate into modern society. However, as she grew up, she found some strange changes happening in her body - she seemed to possess some kind of animal like instinct, and could even feel the "wolf like" nature of wild animals. With the awakening of these mutations, Anna must face the unknown fate of her identity, past, and future.

This movie combines elements of psychological thriller, horror, and growth, exploring the contradictions between identity, wild instincts, and human civilization through the transformation of the protagonist. The film presents a profound reflection on "human nature", while the mysterious narrative makes people ponder and challenges the audience's understanding of the boundary between humans and animals.

16. The Twelve Angry Men
    12 Angry Men "is a classic courtroom drama released in 1957, directed by Sidney Lumet and starring Henry Fonda. The film is adapted from the play of the same name by Reginald Ross.

The story takes place in a jury room and tells the debate process of 12 jurors during the trial of a murder case. The defendant in the case is a young Latinx man who is suspected of killing his own father. Jurors need to unanimously agree to determine guilt. However, most of the jurors initially believed that the defendant was guilty, leaving only one juror (played by Henry Fonda) with doubts and beginning to question the evidence and the irrationality of the case one by one.

As the story progresses, the film gradually portrays the personal personalities, biases, emotions, and values of each juror, revealing that humans are easily influenced by external pressures, emotional factors, and inherent biases when making decisions. The entire movie is filled with a tense atmosphere, driven by dialogue and character conflicts, ultimately prompting the audience to reflect on the meaning of "justice" and "morality".

Twelve Angry Men "is a profound film about human nature, justice, and social responsibility. It is a classic textbook in psychology, sociology, and ethics, and is still widely discussed and studied today.

17. Driving for Miss Daisy
    Driving Miss Daisy "is a 1989 American drama film adapted from Alfred Urry's play of the same name, directed by Howard Ross and starring Morgan Freeman and Jessica Tandy.

The film tells a heartwarming story set in the southern United States. Daisy Watts, an elderly white woman (played by Jessica Tandy), needs a driver to commute after her husband's death due to her advanced age. She hired a black driver named Holden Brown (played by Morgan Freeman). At first, there were contradictions and conflicts between the two. Daisy had prejudice against Holden's race and social status, while Holden felt that Daisy was arrogant and difficult to get along with.

However, over time, the two gradually understood each other and their relationship underwent profound changes. The film depicts themes of race, prejudice, aging, and emotions, while also showcasing the power of friendship, dignity, and tolerance. Despite their vastly different identities and backgrounds, their relationship eventually became deep and sincere, becoming an indispensable part of each other's lives.

Driving for Miss Daisy "is an emotionally rich film that explores social change, racial relations, and tolerance and understanding in human nature by depicting the delicate emotional changes of its characters. This movie has won multiple awards, including the Academy Award for Best Picture and Best Actress (Jessica Tandy), becoming a classic.

18. "Love Notebook"
    The Notebook is a 2004 American romantic film adapted from Nicholas Sparks' novel of the same name, directed by Nick Cassavetes and starring Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams.

The movie tells a love story that spans time. The main plot of the story revolves around a young couple named Noah (played by Ryan Gosling) and Ellie (played by Rachel McAdams). They met in North Carolina during World War II and went through various challenges and tests, especially with Ellie's parents strongly opposing their relationship. Despite being separated for many years, Noah still deeply loved Ellie and eventually recalled her memories with handwritten letters and his notebook.

The film portrays the firmness and selflessness of love through the interweaving of memories and reality, emphasizing how fate and time affect interpersonal relationships. At the end of the story, the love between the two protagonists still stands firm in difficult times, bringing hope and emotion to people.

The Notebook "is not only a deeply moving romantic film, but also explores memory, the persistence of love, and how to face challenges in life. The emotional tension and touching plot of the film make it a classic romantic movie in the hearts of many viewers.

19. "Ordinary People"
    Ordinary People "is a 1980 American drama film directed by Robert Redford and adapted from Judith Guest's novel of the same name. The film stars Donald Sutherland, Mary Tyler Moore, and Timothy Hutton.

The movie tells the story of a typical middle-class family how they cope with emotional trauma and inner conflicts after experiencing a sudden family tragedy. The focus of the story is Jody (played by Timothy Hutton), a teenager who experiences emotional breakdown after his brother's drowning death, and is deeply trapped in self blame and emotional repression. Jody's mother Beth (played by Marilyn Hopkins) is a cold and controlling woman who finds it difficult to accept her son's pain, while her father Carl (played by Donald Sutherland) tries his best to maintain family relationships and help her son recover.

The movie delves into the emotional barriers, loss, and crisis of self-identity among family members, as well as how to gradually heal trauma through psychotherapy. Jody gradually emerged from the shadow and regained the connection between herself and her family through treatment with a psychologist.

Ordinary People "is a touching work about family relationships, grief, and recovery. It has not only received high praise from critics, but also won multiple awards including the Academy Award for Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Adapted Screenplay.

20. Rain Man
    Rain Man "is a 1988 American drama film directed by Barry Levinson and starring Dustin Hoffman and Tom Cruise. This movie tells the touching story of a pair of brothers, with Dustin Hoffman's character Raymond Babbitt being an adult with autism and academic talent, and Tom Cruise's character Charlie Babbitt being his younger brother.

The story begins when Charlie learns of his father's death. Charlie returned home and found that his abandoned wealth had been donated to a mental hospital by his father. Charlie later discovered that he had another brother he had never met - Raymond, who was a highly functional autistic patient with astonishing memory and computational abilities. Charlie started a road trip with Raymond in order to compete for his father's inheritance. Despite initially not understanding Raymond's situation, Charlie gradually began to accept and care about his brother's special needs, and their relationship underwent profound changes as a result.

Rain Man depicts the themes of family relationships, responsibility, acceptance, and self growth through delicate emotions. The movie particularly highlights the manifestations of autism and the talents of those with it, showing that people with autism are not just "obstacles", they also have their own special talents and values.

This movie has achieved great success worldwide, not only winning box office success, but also winning four Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor (Dustin Hoffman), and Best Original Screenplay. It is considered a heartwarming and educational work that brings profound reflection to society about the autism community and family relationships.