Movies and Shows Similar to Somnus

Description: Delves into the nature of reality, questioning whether the world as perceived is genuine or a simulated construct, echoing themes of existential doubt.

Fact: The iconic bullet-dodging scene was inspired by a similar effect in a Japanese anime. The film's code raining down the screen is actually sushi recipes.

Description: Investigates simulated realities and the existential crisis of discovering one's world might not be real, mirroring themes of layered deception.

Fact: The film is based on the 1964 novel 'Simulacron-3' by Daniel F. Galouye. It was released the same year as 'The Matrix,' but received less attention.

Description: Focuses on memory manipulation and the emotional consequences of altering one's past, paralleling the exploration of how memories shape identity.

Fact: The film's title is taken from a line in Alexander Pope's poem 'Eloisa to Abelard.' Many of the memory-erasure scenes were shot in reverse to create a disorienting effect.

Description: A dense, scientifically rigorous take on time travel, where the characters' grasp on reality unravels as they manipulate time, creating paradoxes.

Fact: Made on a budget of just $7,

Description: Revolves around obsession, deception, and the cost of illusion, with a narrative structure that mirrors the film's themes of duality and hidden truths.

Fact: The film's title refers to the third act of a magic trick: the prestige is the final reveal. Many of the magic tricks shown were real and performed without CGI.

Description: A philosophical dialogue-driven story about a man who claims to have lived for centuries, challenging the boundaries of reality and human belief.

Fact: The entire film was shot in a single location over a few days. It was written by Jerome Bixby, who also wrote episodes for 'The Twilight Zone.'

Description: Explores the concept of dreams within dreams, blurring the lines between reality and subconscious constructs, much like the intricate layering of perceptions.

Fact: The spinning top at the end was not CGI; it was a practical effect. The hallway fight scene was achieved by building a rotating set.

Description: Anthology series that examines the dark side of technology and its impact on human consciousness, often presenting dystopian realities that feel eerily plausible.

Fact: The show's title refers to the reflective screens of devices like phones and TVs when turned off. Each episode is a standalone story with no connecting narrative.

Description: A mind-bending time-travel narrative that questions identity and fate, with twists that redefine the characters' understanding of their own existence.

Fact: Based on Robert A. Heinlein's short story 'All You Zombies.' The film's protagonist is played by an actor who also portrays another key character.

Description: Uses a low-budget, improvisational approach to explore parallel realities and the fragility of human perception during a cosmic anomaly.

Fact: The actors were given minimal direction and often didn't know what would happen next, enhancing the film's chaotic feel. Shot in just five nights.