10 Movies & Shows Like Whiplash (2014)

Description: While set in a different time and context, 'There Will Be Blood' shares with 'Whiplash' a focus on obsession, ambition, and the destructive nature of the pursuit of greatness. Daniel Plainview's relentless drive mirrors Andrew Neiman's, and both characters' journeys culminate in shocking acts of violence. The films also share a masterful use of sound and music to build tension, with Jonny Greenwood's score for 'There Will Be Blood' being as integral to the film as the jazz in 'Whiplash'.

Fact: Daniel Day-Lewis based his voice for Plainview on that of director John Huston. The famous 'I drink your milkshake' line was improvised by Day-Lewis. The film was loosely based on Upton Sinclair's novel 'Oil!'.

Description: While a crime thriller on the surface, 'No Country for Old Men' shares with 'Whiplash' a deep exploration of fate, morality, and the nature of evil. Both films feature antagonist figures (Anton Chigurh and Terence Fletcher) who are almost forces of nature, imposing their will on the protagonists. The films also share a stark, unforgiving tone and a focus on the consequences of one's choices.

Fact: Javier Bardem's iconic haircut was inspired by a description in the novel that mentioned 'an outdated pageboy haircut.' The Coen brothers wrote the screenplay before the novel was even published. The film won four Academy Awards, including Best Picture.

Description: 'The Prestige' shares with 'Whiplash' a thematic focus on obsession, rivalry, and the sacrifices made in the name of art. Both films feature protagonists who are willing to go to extreme lengths to achieve perfection, with tragic consequences. The films also share a nonlinear narrative structure that keeps the audience guessing until the final moments.

Fact: Christian Bale and Hugh Jackman learned real magic tricks for their roles. Director Christopher Nolan is a known magic enthusiast, which influenced his decision to make the film. The film's title refers to the third act of a magic trick: the prestige is the final reveal that makes the trick memorable.

Description: 'Drive' shares with 'Whiplash' a protagonist who is intensely dedicated to his craft (driving in 'Drive', drumming in 'Whiplash'), to the point of violence. Both films feature minimalist storytelling, with long stretches of silence punctuated by bursts of extreme tension. The films also share a stylized, almost mythic approach to their respective genres, elevating them beyond typical genre fare.

Fact: Ryan Gosling learned how to perform stunt driving for the film. The film's soundtrack, by Cliff Martinez, became a cult hit and influenced a wave of synthwave music. Director Nicolas Winding Refn was inspired by fairy tales, seeing the Driver as a 'knight in shining armor.'

Description: Similar to 'Whiplash' in its intense exploration of obsession, perfectionism, and the psychological toll of artistic pursuit. Both films feature protagonists who push themselves to the brink of madness in their quest for greatness, with a relentless, almost abusive mentor figure (Terence Fletcher in 'Whiplash' and Thomas Leroy in 'Black Swan'). The films share a visceral, high-tension atmosphere and a focus on the physical and emotional extremes of performance.

Fact: Natalie Portman trained for over a year in ballet to prepare for her role, despite having a dance background as a child. The film's director, Darren Aronofsky, originally conceived the project as a follow-up to his film 'The Wrestler', seeing them as companion pieces about artists destroying themselves for their craft. The film's budget was $13 million, and it grossed over $329 million worldwide, making it one of the most profitable films of

Description: 'Foxcatcher' shares with 'Whiplash' a dark, psychological exploration of mentorship, ambition, and the toxic dynamics that can develop between a mentor and protégé. Both films depict the destructive consequences of the pursuit of excellence, with Steve Carell's John du Pont serving as a chilling counterpart to J.K. Simmons' Terence Fletcher. The films also share a slow-burning tension that erupts in shocking moments of violence.

Fact: Steve Carell underwent extensive prosthetic makeup to resemble John du Pont, a process that took about three hours each day. Director Bennett Miller insisted on a restrained, almost documentary-like approach to the material, avoiding melodrama. The real-life Mark Schultz, whom Channing Tatum portrays, initially praised the film but later criticized its accuracy.

Description: Directed by Darren Aronofsky, 'The Wrestler' shares with 'Whiplash' a raw, visceral portrayal of an artist (in this case, a professional wrestler) sacrificing everything for their craft. Both films explore themes of physical and emotional pain, the fleeting nature of fame, and the personal costs of dedication. The films also share a gritty, realistic aesthetic that immerses the viewer in their respective worlds.

Fact: Mickey Rourke performed many of his own stunts, despite having no prior wrestling experience. The film's budget was only $6 million, and it was shot in just 35 days. Bruce Springsteen's song 'The Wrestler', written for the film, won the Golden Globe for Best Original Song.

Description: While not about music or performance, 'The Social Network' shares with 'Whiplash' a focus on ambition, genius, and the personal costs of success. Both films feature protagonists (Andrew Neiman and Mark Zuckerberg) who are driven to the point of alienating those around them. The rapid-fire dialogue and intense pacing of 'The Social Network' mirror the relentless energy of 'Whiplash', and both films explore themes of mentorship, rivalry, and the pursuit of legacy.

Fact: Aaron Sorkin wrote the screenplay in two weeks while holed up in a hotel room in London. Jesse Eisenberg reportedly studied tapes of Olympic fencers to capture Zuckerberg's unique way of speaking and moving. The film won three Academy Awards, including Best Adapted Screenplay for Sorkin.

Description: Like 'Whiplash', 'The Master' explores the complex, often toxic relationship between a mentor and protégé. Both films delve into themes of control, manipulation, and the search for identity. The intense, psychologically charged performances in 'The Master' (particularly Joaquin Phoenix's) mirror those in 'Whiplash', and both films use their respective art forms (music in 'Whiplash', pseudo-scientific therapy in 'The Master') as metaphors for larger human struggles.

Fact: The film was shot in 65mm, a rare format that provides exceptional image quality. Joaquin Phoenix based his character's physicality on a wounded animal, hunching his shoulders and clenching his jaw. The character of Lancaster Dodd was loosely inspired by L. Ron Hubbard, the founder of Scientology.

Description: Like 'Whiplash', 'Nightcrawler' features a protagonist (Jake Gyllenhaal's Lou Bloom) whose relentless ambition and lack of empathy drive him to disturbing extremes. Both films critique the dark side of the American dream and the lengths people will go to achieve success. The intense, almost manic energy of Gyllenhaal's performance mirrors Miles Teller's in 'Whiplash', and both films build to climactic sequences that are as thrilling as they are unsettling.

Fact: Jake Gyllenhaal lost 20 pounds for the role to achieve Lou Bloom's gaunt, hungry appearance. The film's writer/director, Dan Gilroy, was inspired by the rise of 'if it bleeds, it leads' local news coverage. The film was shot entirely at night, adding to its eerie, nocturnal atmosphere.