If you were captivated by the psychological depth and eerie atmosphere of 'Martha Marcy May Marlene,' you're in for a treat. This article explores 10 movies and shows that share its unsettling themes of identity, trauma, and cult influence. Whether you're drawn to slow-burning tension or complex character studies, these recommendations will keep you on the edge of your seat.
The Others (2001)
Description: A gothic horror film that plays with perceptions of reality and the supernatural, focusing on a family isolated in a remote house with eerie occurrences.
Fact: The film was shot almost entirely in natural light or candlelight to enhance its haunting atmosphere, a technique rarely used in modern cinema.
Watch Now 
Black Swan (2010)
Description: A psychological thriller that delves into the protagonist's deteriorating mental state, blurring the lines between reality and hallucination, with intense emotional and physical transformations.
Fact: Natalie Portman trained in ballet for over a year to prepare for the role, and some of her dance scenes were performed by a body double, which adds to the film's themes of duality.
Watch Now 
Under the Skin (2013)
Description: A surreal and atmospheric exploration of alienation and identity, with a protagonist who navigates a world that feels both familiar and deeply unsettling.
Fact: Many of the scenes featuring non-actors were filmed with hidden cameras, giving the film a documentary-like realism amidst its sci-fi horror elements.
Watch Now 
The Neon Demon (2016)
Description: A visually striking horror film that explores themes of beauty, obsession, and identity, with a protagonist whose innocence is corrupted by a predatory world.
Fact: The film's color palette was inspired by 1980s fashion photography, and many of the scenes were lit with neon lights to create a hyper-stylized, dreamlike effect.
Watch Now 
The Babadook (2014)
Description: Delves into psychological horror and the blurred lines between reality and delusion, focusing on a protagonist whose mental state deteriorates under stress and trauma.
Fact: The Babadook monster was inspired by German Expressionist cinema, and the film's title is a play on the word 'babble' and 'dook,' a child's mispronunciation of 'boogeyman.'
Watch Now 
The Gift (2015)
Description: A psychological thriller that examines the lingering effects of past trauma and the way secrets can unravel relationships, creating a pervasive sense of dread.
Fact: The film marks Joel Edgerton's directorial debut, and he also wrote the screenplay, which was inspired by classic psychological thrillers of the 1990s.
Watch Now 
It Comes at Night (2017)
Description: A psychological horror film that explores themes of paranoia, isolation, and the breakdown of trust within a family unit, mirroring the unsettling atmosphere and psychological tension.
Fact: The film was shot in just 20 days, and the director intentionally kept the script vague to heighten the sense of mystery and unease.
Watch Now 
The Killing of a Sacred Deer (2017)
Description: A chilling, slow-burn thriller that examines guilt, retribution, and the disintegration of a family under supernatural or psychological pressure.
Fact: The film's title references the Greek myth of Iphigenia, who was sacrificed by her father Agamemnon to appease the gods, tying into the film's themes of fate and sacrifice.
Watch Now 
Hereditary (2018)
Description: A harrowing exploration of family dysfunction, grief, and psychological unraveling, with a slow-burning tension that escalates into full-blown horror.
Fact: The miniature models seen throughout the film were all handcrafted by the protagonist actress herself, adding a meta-layer to the film's themes of control and artistry.
Watch Now 
The Lighthouse (2019)
Description: A claustrophobic and surreal descent into madness, with two characters trapped in an isolated setting, their psyches unraveling under pressure and paranoia.
Fact: The film was shot in black and white on 35mm film to emulate the look of early 20th-century photography, adding to its timeless, nightmarish quality.
Watch Now 
