Movies & Shows Like The Pretend One

Description: Explores themes of reality versus illusion, where the protagonist's life is unknowingly a constructed reality for entertainment, delving into existential questions about free will and authenticity.

Fact: The film's concept was inspired by an episode of The Twilight Zone. It was one of the first movies to predict the rise of reality television.

Description: A poignant exploration of memory, love, and identity, blending surreal visuals with a deeply emotional narrative about the complexities of human relationships.

Fact: The film's title is taken from a line in Alexander Pope's poem 'Eloisa to Abelard'. The script was sold with the condition that Michel Gondry would direct.

Description: A visually inventive film that blurs the line between dreams and reality, exploring creativity, love, and the subconscious mind.

Fact: The film's dream sequences were created using handmade props and stop-motion animation. It was shot in both French and English.

Description: A unique blend of comedy and existential drama, where a man discovers his life is being narrated by an unseen author, questioning fate and authorship.

Fact: The film's script was featured in the 2005 Black List of best unproduced screenplays. The typewriter used in the film was a vintage Hermes

Description: A touching story about loneliness and delusion, where a man forms a relationship with a lifelike doll, exploring themes of acceptance and mental health.

Fact: The film was inspired by a news story about a man who married a doll. It was shot in just 30 days on a modest budget.

Description: A futuristic love story that examines the boundaries between human and artificial relationships, focusing on emotional intimacy and the nature of consciousness.

Fact: The film's futuristic setting was inspired by Shanghai's urban landscape. Spike Jonze wrote the screenplay as a personal project over several years.

Description: A meta-narrative about creation and control in relationships, where a writer's fictional character comes to life, blurring the lines between fantasy and reality.

Fact: The film marks the first screenplay written by Zoe Kazan. It was produced by the same team behind Little Miss Sunshine.

Description: A quirky indie film about a classified ad claiming to seek a partner for time travel, blending humor with themes of belief and connection.

Fact: The film was inspired by a real classified ad that went viral. It was shot in just 24 days with a small crew.

Description: A heartfelt story that mixes time travel with everyday life, focusing on love, family, and the small moments that define our existence.

Fact: The film was shot in Cornwall and London. Richard Curtis initially conceived it as a much darker story about a man with a terminal illness.

Description: A psychological drama about a couple's retreat that turns surreal, examining identity, desire, and the complexities of romantic relationships.

Fact: The film was shot in secret, with the actors not knowing the full plot beforehand. It was marketed as a romantic comedy to avoid spoilers.