If you were captivated by the unsettling and surreal world of 'Dogtooth' (2009), you're likely craving more films that challenge norms and delve into psychological depth. This article explores 10 movies and shows that share the same eerie atmosphere, unconventional storytelling, and thought-provoking themes as Yorgos Lanthimos' cult classic. Whether you're a fan of dark humor, dystopian settings, or mind-bending narratives, this list will guide you to your next cinematic obsession.
Eraserhead (1977)
Description: David Lynch's 'Eraserhead' shares 'Dogtooth's' surreal, nightmarish quality and exploration of familial anxiety. Both films create a sense of unease through bizarre imagery and sound design. The themes of parenthood and isolation are central to both.
Fact: Lynch worked on the film for five years. The baby was made from a calf's liver. The film was shot mostly at night.
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Possession (1981)
Description: Andrzej Żuławski's 'Possession' shares 'Dogtooth's' intense exploration of a disintegrating family and features similarly extreme performances. Both films blend horror with psychological drama and feature shocking, surreal imagery.
Fact: Isabelle Adjani won Best Actress at Cannes for her performance. The film was banned in the UK as a 'video nasty'. The subway scene was shot in one take.
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Funny Games (1997)
Description: Michael Haneke's 'Funny Games' shares 'Dogtooth's' disturbing exploration of violence and control. Both films break the fourth wall and challenge the viewer's complicity in the events on screen. The clinical, almost detached presentation of violence is a common thread.
Fact: Haneke shot a nearly identical American remake in
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The Skin I Live In (2011)
Description: Pedro Almodóvar's film shares 'Dogtooth's' themes of control and identity, with a similarly clinical visual style. Both films explore the boundaries of the body and the self, though 'The Skin I Live In' does so through a more explicitly sexual lens.
Fact: Antonio Banderas reunited with Almodóvar after 21 years. The film is loosely based on a French novel. The surgical scenes were supervised by real doctors.
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Under the Skin (2013)
Description: Like 'Dogtooth', 'Under the Skin' explores alienation and the human condition through a detached, almost anthropological lens. Both films use minimal dialogue and striking visuals to create an unsettling atmosphere.
Fact: Scarlett Johansson wore a wig and prosthetic lips. Many scenes feature non-actors unaware they were being filmed. The score was created using unconventional instruments.
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The Neon Demon (2016)
Description: Nicolas Winding Refn's film shares 'Dogtooth's' focus on beauty and brutality, with a similarly stylized visual approach. Both films explore the darker aspects of human nature through a surreal, almost dreamlike narrative.
Fact: Keanu Reeves plays against type as a motel manager. The film was booed at Cannes but received a standing ovation. The blood in the film is actually orange juice.
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The Strange Color of Your Body's Tears (2013)
Description: This giallo-inspired film shares 'Dogtooth's' disorienting narrative structure and focus on sensory overload. Both films use striking visuals to create a sense of unease and explore themes of identity and perception.
Fact: The title comes from a line in a Dario Argento film. The film was shot on 35mm to emulate 1970s giallo. The directors are known as 'Hélène Cattet and Bruno Forzani'.
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The Lobster (2015)
Description: Like 'Dogtooth', 'The Lobster' is directed by Yorgos Lanthimos and shares a similar absurdist and darkly comedic tone. Both films explore themes of control, societal norms, and the dehumanization of individuals within rigid systems. The sterile, almost clinical visual style and deadpan performances are also reminiscent of 'Dogtooth'.
Fact: The film won the Jury Prize at the 2015 Cannes Film Festival. Colin Farrell gained 40 pounds for his role in the movie. The film's premise was inspired by dating websites and the pressure to find a partner.
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The Killing of a Sacred Deer (2017)
Description: Another Yorgos Lanthimos film, 'The Killing of a Sacred Deer' shares 'Dogtooth's' unsettling atmosphere and exploration of familial dysfunction. Both films feature a detached, almost robotic dialogue delivery and a narrative that blends horror with absurdity. The theme of punishment and retribution is central to both stories.
Fact: The title is a reference to the Greek myth of Iphigenia. Barry Keoghan improvised many of his lines. The film was shot in Cincinnati, Ohio, despite being set in an unnamed American city.
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Climax (2018)
Description: Gaspar Noé's 'Climax' shares 'Dogtooth's' intense, claustrophobic atmosphere and exploration of group dynamics under stress. Both films feature long takes and a sense of escalating chaos, though 'Climax' is more explicitly visceral.
Fact: The film was shot in 15 days. The actors improvised most of their dialogue. The opening dance sequence was filmed in one take.
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