Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), once known as multiple personality disorder, has long fascinated filmmakers and audiences alike. These films delve into the complexities of the human mind, where characters grapple with multiple identities, often leading to thrilling, suspenseful, and sometimes terrifying narratives. This curated list offers a journey through the psyche, showcasing how DID can be portrayed in cinema, providing both entertainment and a deeper understanding of this psychological condition.

The Three Faces of Eve (1957)
Description: Based on a true story, this film follows a woman with three distinct personalities, offering one of the earliest cinematic portrayals of DID.
Fact: Joanne Woodward won an Academy Award for Best Actress for her role as Eve.


Primal Fear (1996)
Description: A defense attorney takes on the case of an altar boy accused of murder, only to uncover a complex web of personalities and motives.
Fact: Edward Norton's performance earned him an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor.


Fight Club (1999)
Description: This cult classic explores the life of an insomniac office worker who forms an underground fight club with a soap salesman, only to discover that his alter ego has taken over.
Fact: The film was based on Chuck Palahniuk's novel, and the rule "You do not talk about Fight Club" became a cultural phenomenon.


The Cell (2000)
Description: A psychologist enters the mind of a comatose serial killer to find his latest victim, encountering his multiple personalities in a surreal landscape.
Fact: The film's visual effects were groundbreaking at the time, earning it an Oscar nomination.


Identity (2003)
Description: Ten strangers are brought together at a remote motel, and as they start dying one by one, it's revealed that they might all be part of one person's fractured psyche.
Fact: The film's twist ending was inspired by Agatha Christie's "And Then There Were None."


The Machinist (2004)
Description: An industrial worker suffering from insomnia and weight loss finds himself entangled in a psychological thriller where reality and paranoia blur.
Fact: Christian Bale lost over 60 pounds for his role, showcasing his dedication to the character.


Black Swan (2010)
Description: A ballerina's obsession with perfection leads her to lose her grip on reality, blurring the lines between her own identity and that of the Black Swan.
Fact: Natalie Portman won an Oscar for her role, and the film was praised for its psychological depth.


Shutter Island (2010)
Description: A U.S. Marshal investigates the disappearance of a patient from a psychiatric hospital, only to question his own sanity and identity.
Fact: The film is based on Dennis Lehane's novel and features a twist that has become a topic of much discussion.


The Voices (2014)
Description: Jerry, a factory worker, hears voices from his pets, leading him down a dark path as he struggles with his own mental health.
Fact: The film blends dark comedy with horror, offering a unique take on DID.


Split (2016)
Description: Kevin, a man with 23 distinct personalities, kidnaps three girls, and his 24th personality, "The Beast," emerges, leading to a chilling exploration of DID.
Fact: The film is part of M. Night Shyamalan's "Eastrail 177" trilogy, with connections to "Unbreakable" and "Glass."
