Buzz
I've watched countless movies throughout my life, and with each one, I find myself asking: what’s the real point of it all? Sure, there are plenty of films that deliver clear answers to your questions, but now and then, a film arrives that leaves you pondering more questions than it provides solutions. It’s these films that define or destroy a career. Some might be regarded as groundbreaking, others as disastrous, but they’ll all have one thing in common – they’ll leave you scratching your head. Beware: spoilers ahead.
10. Fight Club
I had to include this one on the list, not because it’s the most perplexing movie ever, but because I feared the internet backlash if I didn’t. My take? It’s not the most confusing. The twist was spoiled for me before I saw it, which took away from the experience, though Edward Norton’s performance made up for it. Even so, it remains a baffling film and a far better effort than David Fincher’s own Se7en. Anyone who’s seen Fight Club will understand why it’s on this list. If you haven’t – the final scenes will show you exactly why.
9. Donnie Darko
Talking rabbits, time travel, schizophrenia, strange therapy sessions – this film encompasses it all. However, the one element it lacks is clarity. If you’ve seen it, you likely adore it. Gyllenhaal delivers an exceptional performance in what is undeniably one of the most eccentric films of its era. This is a must-watch – no matter how complex or confusing it may be.
8. Eraserhead
Is it just a bad dream or a glimpse into a post-apocalyptic world? Set in an industrial town where massive machines constantly churn, belch smoke, and create an unrelenting noise, Henry Spencer resides in a building that, much like the rest, seems deserted. The lights flicker on and off, he has bowls of water stashed in his dresser drawers, and his only entertainment is listening to the Lady in the Radiator sing about finding joy in heaven. Henry’s girlfriend, Mary X, suffers from frequent, uncontrollable fits. After Mary gives birth to a grotesque mutant child, a wave of sexual imagery is injected into this depressive, chaotic narrative.
7. Memento
This film is a fascinating one. The concept is intriguing because it’s something that hasn’t really been explored before. The confusion arises from its non-linear storytelling, dictated by the protagonist’s short-term memory loss. It’s not the first movie to play with time (think Pulp Fiction), but unlike Tarantino’s masterpiece, Memento is deeply rooted in the character’s psychological struggle. The confusion here isn’t just a result of artistic direction but of the character’s mental condition. If you haven’t seen it yet, do yourself a favor and watch it – you won’t regret it.
6. Big Man Japan
Masaru Daisato is a man burdened with the responsibility of defending Japan from monstrous threats. Through the power of electricity, he can grow to colossal sizes, but he’s shunned by society. His heroic lineage casts a shadow over his own less-than-stellar achievements as a monster fighter. On top of that, his personal life is in ruins, failing as both a father and a grandson. Ultimately, his doubts and failures spiral into a hallucinatory climax. Now you see why this film is a worthy entry on this list.
5. The Shining
Stanley Kubrick and David Lynch are two filmmakers who stand at the forefront of the bizarre. The Shining, while Stephen King may not have been fond of it, remains a definitive cult classic. Kubrick took a simple horror story and transformed it into something far stranger. Upon initial viewing, you might not see it, but it’s undeniably odd. The sparse dialogue and surreal imagery leave room for countless interpretations. Honestly, how ordinary is a film that features an elevator overflowing with blood?
4. Mulholland Drive
David Lynch has made some straightforward films, but then there are works like this one – the creation for which he will forever be remembered. This film is notorious for its confusion, and it’s no surprise – even Lynch himself doesn’t fully understand it! Multiple actresses portray the same characters, identity crises are rampant, and some theories suggest that the first three-quarters of the movie are simply a dream sequence. Lynch’s iconic TV show Twin Peaks was initially meant to have this film as its successor, but instead, it was released as a movie, leaving many questions unanswered.
3. 2001: A Space Odyssey
In the midst of this masterpiece, there’s a bizarre 15-minute segment filled with psychedelic visuals and odd music (reminiscent of a Windows screensaver). What Stanley Kubrick was thinking remains a mystery, but despite the film's surreal moments, he will forever be remembered for providing some of the most realistic depictions of space travel.
2. The Matrix Trilogy
Thomas A. Anderson lives two separate lives. By day, he’s an ordinary computer programmer, but by night, he’s the rogue hacker known as Neo. Neo has always doubted his reality, but the truth is beyond anything he could imagine. When the authorities target him, he’s contacted by Morpheus, a legendary hacker deemed a terrorist by the government. Morpheus reveals the real world to Neo – a desolate wasteland where machines have enslaved humanity, feeding off their body heat while trapping their minds within the artificial world of the Matrix. As a key figure in the human rebellion, Neo must re-enter the Matrix and face the agents, powerful programs set on destroying him and the entire resistance. The central question of this film is: what is real?
1. Primer
This is one of the most overlooked science fiction films I have ever encountered. Shot on a mere budget of $7,000, with a small cast that could be counted on a single hand, Shane Carruth's Primer reimagines the classic tale of time travel in a unique way. What sets Primer apart from other puzzling films is that there isn't a single person who can claim to fully understand it. Even Carruth himself was unsure of the film's direction during its writing (which brings to mind David Lynch’s *Inland Empire*). It came together almost by accident. The confusion is intentional, affecting everyone involved – from the writers and actors to the characters and the audience.
