If you enjoyed the psychological thriller 'Distorted' (2018), with its gripping suspense and mind-bending twists, you'll love these 10 similar movies and shows. This article explores titles that share themes of paranoia, surveillance, and psychological manipulation, perfect for fans of intense, thought-provoking storytelling.

The Manchurian Candidate (1962)
Description: A Cold War-era thriller exploring brainwashing and political manipulation, with a protagonist unraveling a sinister conspiracy.
Fact: The film was controversial for its portrayal of political figures and was temporarily withdrawn from circulation after JFK's assassination.


The Conversation (1974)
Description: A psychological thriller centered around surveillance, guilt, and the moral dilemmas of eavesdropping, with a protagonist haunted by what he uncovers.
Fact: The film's sound design was revolutionary, using overlapping dialogue and ambient noise to create a sense of unease. It won the Palme d'Or at Cannes.


The Parallax View (1974)
Description: A gripping political thriller that delves into conspiracy theories and paranoia, featuring a protagonist uncovering hidden truths behind a seemingly random event.
Fact: The film's famous 'Parallax Test' sequence is a psychological montage designed to identify potential assassins. It was shot in Seattle, including the iconic Space Needle.


Three Days of the Condor (1975)
Description: A tense spy thriller where a low-level analyst becomes a target after uncovering a deadly conspiracy within his own organization.
Fact: The film's depiction of CIA operations was praised for its realism, and it inspired real-life intelligence officers to adopt some of its tradecraft techniques.


Enemy of the State (1998)
Description: A high-tech surveillance thriller where an innocent man is pursued by government agencies, highlighting themes of privacy invasion and unchecked power.
Fact: The film's portrayal of surveillance technology was considered cutting-edge at the time, with some experts noting its eerie accuracy to real-world developments.


The Insider (1999)
Description: A gripping drama based on true events, focusing on a whistleblower's struggle against corporate and media manipulation to expose the truth.
Fact: The film's script was heavily influenced by real-life interviews and court transcripts, lending it an unprecedented level of authenticity.


The Constant Gardener (2005)
Description: A political thriller and love story that uncovers corporate corruption and exploitation in Africa, with a protagonist seeking justice for his murdered wife.
Fact: The film was shot on location in Kenya and used local non-actors for many roles, adding to its gritty realism and emotional impact.


The Lives of Others (2006)
Description: A dramatic exploration of surveillance in East Germany, focusing on the moral awakening of a Stasi officer assigned to spy on a playwright.
Fact: The film's authenticity was bolstered by input from former Stasi officers and victims, and it won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film.


Argo (2012)
Description: A tense historical thriller about a covert operation to rescue hostages, blending real-life events with Hollywood-style deception and suspense.
Fact: The film's climax was shot in Istanbul, standing in for Tehran, and used thousands of extras to recreate the 1979 airport scene.


The Ghost Writer (2010)
Description: A political thriller about a writer uncovering dangerous secrets while ghostwriting a former prime minister's memoirs, blending suspense with sharp commentary on power.
Fact: The film's eerie atmosphere was enhanced by its shooting locations, including a stormy German island that mirrored the story's tension.
