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When you imagine suburbia, what do you see? For many, it’s a place where ordinary individuals lead predictable, uneventful lives, free from disruption or drama. However, what if there’s a hidden layer beneath this tranquil facade? Directors such as David Lynch have made it their mission to expose the unsettling truths lurking within small-town America. The films featured here push this idea to its limits, offering a gripping exploration of suburban darkness.
10. A Simple Favor
Directed by Paul Feig, this 2018 dark comedy and crime thriller follows Stephanie (Anna Kendrick), a single mother residing in Connecticut. She forms an unlikely friendship with Emily (Blake Lively), a glamorous and enigmatic PR executive in the fashion industry. Emily’s life, filled with luxury and intrigue, contrasts sharply with Stephanie’s. She resides in a sleek, modern home in an affluent neighborhood alongside her husband, a renowned author turned college professor, and their young son.
Suddenly, Emily vanishes without a trace, leaving Stephanie to unravel the mystery. What starts as a puzzling disappearance soon escalates into a web of murder, betrayal, and vengeance. As hidden truths come to light, the story spirals into a complex maze of lies and deception.
Highlight: Emily’s flawless fashion sense, brought to life by the breathtaking Blake Lively, is absolutely enviable.
9. Thoroughbreds
Cory Finley’s 2018 debut film introduces us to Lily (Anya Taylor-Joy) and Amanda (Olivia Cooke), childhood friends who reunite in suburban Connecticut after years of separation. Lily has transformed into a refined, affluent teenager, while Amanda remains a social outsider, living on the fringes of their community.
Amanda’s mother hires Lily to tutor her daughter, though it’s clear the arrangement is more about providing Amanda with companionship. Lily insists she isn’t being paid, but their interactions are strained, as the two have grown apart. Despite this, they eventually find common ground in Lily’s deep-seated resentment toward her stepfather. Amanda, a cold and calculating sociopath, devises a chilling plan to eliminate him.
Sad Fact: Thoroughbreds marked the final appearance of 27-year-old Star Trek actor Anton Yelchin, who tragically passed away in a freak accident shortly after filming concluded.
8. Get Out
This 2018 horror masterpiece, penned and directed by Jordan Peele, centers on Chris (Daniel Kaluuya) and his girlfriend, Rose (Allison Williams), as they embark on a weekend trip to Upstate New York to visit her family. What initially appears to be a routine introduction to her parents takes a sinister turn as unsettling events unfold, leaving Chris questioning whether he’ll escape the ordeal alive.
Interesting Insight: Kaluuya faced criticism from Samuel L. Jackson, who questioned if he was “black enough” to portray the lead role.
7. Blue Velvet
David Lynch’s 1986 film, a profound critique of middle-class America, redefined the exploration of suburban life. The story follows Jeffrey Beaumont (Kyle MacLachlan), a college student who returns to his hometown in North Carolina after his father suffers a stroke. While walking home from the hospital, Jeffrey stumbles upon a gruesome discovery: a severed human ear in a field.
Jeffrey takes the ear to the police station, where he encounters Sandy (Laura Dern), the detective’s daughter and a familiar face from his past. She suggests the ear might be linked to Dorothy Vallens (Isabella Rossellini), a local lounge singer with a mysterious background.
Jeffrey and Sandy join forces to unravel the mystery surrounding the ear. Their investigation leads them into the disturbing and chaotic life of Frank Booth (Dennis Hopper), a deranged and sexually deviant psychopath. As they delve deeper, they soon realize they’ve stumbled into a dangerous situation far beyond their control.
Ironic Fact: Hopper, who portrayed this wild, drug-fueled character, was completely sober and had just completed rehab at the time of filming.
6. Edward Scissorhands
This 1990 gothic fantasy romance stands as one of Tim Burton’s most iconic works. The story revolves around a scientist who dies unexpectedly before finishing his masterpiece: an artificial man left incomplete, with scissors replacing his hands.
Edward (Johnny Depp), the unfinished creation, lives in solitude within the late scientist’s mansion until Peg (Diane West), a kind-hearted Avon representative, discovers him. She decides to bring Edward into her suburban neighborhood, introducing him to a world far removed from his isolated existence.
Edward becomes a source of fascination and alienation in the town. His life takes a dramatic turn when he develops feelings for Kim (Winona Ryder), Peg’s daughter. However, an incident involving his scissorhands causes the community to view him as a danger.
Movie Fact: Edward Scissorhands marked the beginning of a long-standing creative partnership between Burton and Depp.
5. Heathers
Michael Lehmann’s 1988 cult classic focuses on Veronica (Winona Ryder), a member of her high school’s most elite clique, which includes three other girls, all named Heather. Tired of their cruel behavior, Veronica seeks an escape from the group. Her life changes when she meets J.D. (Christian Slater), a rebellious newcomer with a penchant for chaos and targeting the popular crowd.
Veronica and J.D. quickly become a couple, but what she assumes is a prank takes a dark turn when J.D. murders one of the Heathers by poisoning her. The aftermath spirals into chaos. Despite its initial box office failure, Heathers has since gained a cult following and even inspired a musical adaptation.
How Many Heathers?: The name is spoken precisely 90 times during the film.
4. Donnie Darko
This 2001 psychological thriller, written and directed by Richard Kelly, features Jake Gyllenhaal as Donnie, a troubled teen who sleepwalks one night and encounters Frank, a terrifying, human-sized rabbit. Frank warns Donnie that the world will end in 28 days. Upon returning home, Donnie discovers a jet engine has crashed into his bedroom, narrowly missing him.
The story delves into time travel and wormholes, prompting Donnie’s family to seek therapy for him. His therapist interprets his visions as hallucinations and signs of paranoid schizophrenia. As Frank manipulates Donnie into committing crimes, the quiet town of Middlesex, Virginia, is thrown into disarray.
High Inspiration: Kelly drew his inspiration for the futuristic blobs from an unexpected source: watching John Madden’s chalk talk segments on Monday Night Football.
3. American Beauty
Regarded as one of the finest films of modern cinema and featuring one of the most acclaimed screenplays, this 1999 masterpiece by Sam Mendes delivered unforgettable dialogue, striking visuals, and powerhouse performances that left an indelible mark on audiences.
Kevin Spacey portrays Lester Burnham, a suburban man trapped in a life he despises—working a dead-end job and married to a wife (Annette Bening) he no longer loves. His life takes a dramatic turn when he becomes obsessed with his daughter’s best friend, sparking a newfound sense of purpose.
Critical Acclaim: At the 1999 Academy Awards, American Beauty triumphed with wins for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor (Spacey), Best Original Screenplay (Alan Ball), and Best Cinematography (Conrad Hall). The film received 160 nominations and secured 89 awards in total.
2. The Virgin Suicides
Adapted from the acclaimed novel of the same title, Sofia Coppola’s 1999 directorial debut presents a narrative through the eyes of a group of teenage boys growing up in 1970s Grosse Pointe, Michigan.
The boys reminisce about their interactions with the Lisbon sisters, their neighbors, whose overprotective parents confined them to an isolated existence. When the sisters ventured beyond their sheltered lives, the results were often tragic.
Sibling Facts: Therese, the oldest at 17, was followed by Mary, Bonnie, Lux, and Cecilia, the youngest at 13.
1. Girl, Interrupted
James Mangold’s 1999 psychological drama, inspired by the real-life experiences of Susanna Kayson, stars Winona Ryder (marking her third appearance on this list!) as a directionless 18-year-old in the 1960s. After a suicide attempt, she is admitted to a New England psychiatric hospital for young women. There, she forms bonds with fellow patients, including the captivating Lisa (Angelina Jolie). Susanna faces a pivotal choice: remain with the friends she’s grown to care for inside the institution or brave the daunting challenges of the outside world.
Casting Trivia: Jolie secured the role of Lisa over Claire Danes and Rose McGowan. A young Elisabeth Moss, barely recognizable at 16, portrayed Polly, a burn victim.
