10 Crime Films Exploring the Loss of Humanity

Description: In this dystopian tale, a young delinquent undergoes experimental aversion therapy to cure his violent tendencies, only to lose his free will and humanity in the process. It's a profound exploration of morality and control.

Fact: The film was banned in several countries due to its graphic violence. Stanley Kubrick himself withdrew it from UK cinemas after threats were made against his family.

Description: This epic saga of the Corleone family shows how family loyalty and the pursuit of power can lead to the loss of one's moral compass, with Michael Corleone's transformation being the most poignant.

Fact: Marlon Brando famously turned down his Oscar for Best Actor, sending a Native American activist to accept it in protest of Hollywood's portrayal of Native Americans.

Description: Travis Bickle, a Vietnam vet turned taxi driver, descends into madness and violence, losing touch with his humanity as he tries to "clean up" the city. It's a raw portrayal of isolation and moral decay.

Fact: The film was controversial upon release for its graphic violence and depiction of mental illness. Robert De Niro improvised the famous "You talkin' to me?" scene.

Description: This iconic film traces the rise and fall of a mobster, illustrating how the pursuit of power and wealth can strip away one's humanity, leaving only a shell of the person they once were.

Fact: The film is based on the true story of Henry Hill, a mobster who turned informant. It was nominated for six Academy Awards, winning one for Best Supporting Actor for Joe Pesci.

Description: After a botched robbery, the surviving members of a gang turn on each other, revealing the depths of their depravity and loss of humanity in a tense, confined setting.

Fact: This was Quentin Tarantino's directorial debut, and it was made on a very low budget. The film's non-linear narrative was groundbreaking at the time.

Description: Two detectives hunt a serial killer who uses the seven deadly sins as his modus operandi, leading them into a dark exploration of human nature and the loss of morality.

Fact: The film's ending was kept secret from the cast and crew until the last day of shooting. The role of John Doe was offered to several actors before Kevin Spacey accepted.

Description: Patrick Bateman, a wealthy investment banker, leads a double life as a serial killer, losing all sense of humanity in his quest for perfection and status. The film satirizes the excesses of the 1980s.

Fact: The film was initially met with controversy and was banned in some countries for its graphic violence. Christian Bale's performance was critically acclaimed.

Description: This film follows an undercover cop and a mole in the police force, both trying to expose each other while losing their sense of identity and morality in the process. It's a gripping tale of betrayal and the erosion of humanity.

Fact: The film is a remake of the Hong Kong film "Infernal Affairs." It was Martin Scorsese's first Best Director Oscar win.

Description: While not strictly a crime film, it explores the theme of losing humanity through the character of the Joker, who embodies chaos and pushes Gotham's citizens to their moral limits.

Fact: Heath Ledger's posthumous Oscar win for Best Supporting Actor was for his role as the Joker. The film was one of the first to use IMAX cameras for a major motion picture.

Description: A hunter stumbles upon a drug deal gone wrong and takes the money, setting off a chain of events where characters are pushed to their moral limits, showcasing the brutal loss of humanity in the face of greed and violence.

Fact: The Coen brothers adapted this film from Cormac McCarthy's novel. The character of Anton Chigurh, played by Javier Bardem, was ranked #45 on AFI's 100 Years...100 Heroes & Villains list.