If you were captivated by the dark, erotic thriller 'The Canyons' (2013), you're likely craving more films that blend psychological tension with raw sensuality. This article explores 10 movies and shows that share similar themes of obsession, deception, and the underbelly of glamour, perfect for fans of Paul Schrader's provocative style.
Sunset Boulevard (1950)
Description: A cynical look at Hollywood's dark side and the price of fame, featuring morally compromised characters and a decaying glamour aesthetic.
Fact: The film's iconic closing line was originally much longer but was cut for greater impact. Several real silent film stars appear as themselves in the movie.
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The Long Goodbye (1973)
Description: A revisionist take on film noir that subverts genre expectations with its meandering plot and morally ambiguous characters in sun-drenched Los Angeles.
Fact: The film was a commercial failure upon release but later gained cult status. It features a continuous musical motif that appears in various forms throughout.
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Chinatown (1974)
Description: A neo-noir masterpiece exploring corruption and moral decay beneath the glamorous surface of Los Angeles, with intricate plotting and dark themes.
Fact: The famous line 'Forget it, Jake, it's Chinatown' was almost cut from the film. The movie's water conspiracy plot was inspired by real historical events.
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The Grifters (1990)
Description: A dark, stylish crime drama about con artists operating in a morally bankrupt world, featuring complex relationships and shocking violence.
Fact: The film was shot in just 35 days on a relatively modest budget. It features one of cinema's most shocking scenes involving an orange, which was achieved with practical effects.
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The Player (1992)
Description: A satirical take on Hollywood's ruthless and morally ambiguous industry, filled with dark humor and a self-referential narrative style.
Fact: The film features over 60 celebrity cameos, many playing themselves. Its opening shot is a famous unbroken take lasting nearly eight minutes.
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L.A. Confidential (1997)
Description: A complex crime drama exposing the seedy underbelly of 1950s Los Angeles, featuring intersecting storylines and morally ambiguous characters.
Fact: The film's production meticulously recreated 1950s Los Angeles, including building a full-scale replica of a famous coffee shop. It won two Academy Awards despite initial modest box office performance.
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The Black Dahlia (2006)
Description: A stylish noir exploring obsession and corruption in 1940s Los Angeles, with a focus on a gruesome real-life crime and its psychological aftermath.
Fact: The film's elaborate recreation of 1940s Los Angeles included building entire city blocks. It was based on James Ellroy's fictionalized account of the famous unsolved murder.
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Inherent Vice (2014)
Description: A psychedelic detective story set in 1970s Los Angeles, blending noir elements with absurdist humor and a hazy, dreamlike atmosphere.
Fact: It was the first Thomas Pynchon novel to be adapted into a film. The production used vintage lenses to achieve its distinctive visual style.
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The Neon Demon (2016)
Description: A dark, visually striking exploration of beauty and obsession set in the cutthroat world of modeling, featuring surreal aesthetics and a morally ambiguous narrative.
Fact: The film's cinematography was inspired by the works of photographer Guy Bourdin, known for his provocative fashion imagery. It premiered at the Cannes Film Festival to polarized reactions.
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Under the Silver Lake (2018)
Description: A neo-noir mystery that delves into conspiracy theories and hidden meanings beneath the surface of Los Angeles, blending surrealism with a critique of modern culture.
Fact: The film includes numerous hidden codes and symbols, some of which remain unsolved by fans. It was initially scheduled for a May 2018 release but was delayed by nearly a year.
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