Buzz
Madame Web wasn't designed to perplex its limited audience. Yet, the comic book adaptation ended up doing just that—whether due to poor execution, lackluster direction, or other reasons, the truth remains a mystery.
Many films crafted by visionary directors aim to challenge viewers, urging them to piece together intricate narratives to uncover deeper meanings. While most achieve this goal, others leave audiences bewildered, still pondering the story's essence long after the final scene. Below, we explore thirteen films renowned for their ability to confuse and captivate.
Tenet (2020)
Numerous blog posts and YouTube videos have attempted to decode the intricate plot of Christopher Nolan's time-bending adventure. Despite its stunning action sequences, even the acclaimed director acknowledges that this film, featuring John David Washington and Robert Pattinson, is "not entirely comprehensible." So, if you dive into this cerebral thriller, simply savor the experience.
Where to stream: Digital rental
Dune (1984)
Truthfully, nearly any film by surrealist David Lynch could belong on this list, but none have demanded a glossary to decipher the universe he built from Frank Herbert's sci-fi classic. Considering director Denis Villeneuve successfully adapted the same novel into two blockbuster films, one might question if Mulholland Drive is truly as complex as it seems.
Where to stream: Max, Digital rental
Enemy (2014)
Denis Villeneuve's next project after the somber Prisoners brought him back together with Jake Gyllenhaal. This perplexing tale of doubles flew under the radar upon its release, a common fate for many of A24's non-horror films. (Their marketing team struggles to promote movies lacking a flashy hook.) Over the years, it has earned a cult following, even as Villeneuve transitioned to blockbuster projects like Arrival and his two-part adaptation of Dune.
Where to stream: Kanopy, Cinemax, Digital rental
Barton Fink (1991)
The Coen Brothers' story of a pompous screenwriter struggling to find inspiration swept multiple awards at the 1991 Cannes Film Festival, including the prestigious Palme d'Or. But what made it so special? Was it the sharp satire of Hollywood, or its allegorical exploration of heaven and hell? Likely both. Yet, when John Goodman charges down a blazing hotel corridor with a shotgun in the finale, you might question the true message the filmmakers intended to deliver.
Where to stream: Digital rental
Inherent Vice (2014)
Joaquin Phoenix stars as a detective searching for his former lover and her affluent new partner. What begins as a single case spirals into three, set against a backdrop of '70s rock music, baffling contradictions, and a convoluted storyline that rewards repeated watches. Paul Thomas Anderson's adaptation of Thomas Pynchon's intricate novel is a film you'll gladly return to for deeper insights.
Where to stream: Paramount+ with Showtime, Digital rental
2001: A Space Odyssey (1968)
The iconic film adored by your favorite director features an enigmatic conclusion so puzzling that its mediocre sequel, 2010: The Year We Made Contact, becomes necessary to decode its meaning. Directed by Stanley Kubrick, this masterpiece's revolutionary visual effects remain impressively relevant, making it a must-watch even today.
Where to stream: Max, Digital rental
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (2011)
Featuring a stellar lineup of Britain's finest actors from the past three decades, this adaptation struggled to simplify John le Carré's dense and layered spy novel. For a clearer narrative, the 1979 BBC series starring Alec Guinness as George Smiley, spanning over five hours, is a far superior choice for unraveling its tale of espionage and deceit.
Where to stream: Starz, Digital rental
Under the Skin (2014)
Numerous subreddits are devoted to dissecting Jonathan Glazer's enigmatic film, where Scarlett Johansson plays an alien who lures and preys on humans (or so it seems), only to develop empathy for them (a popular theory). The movie's essence is often debated, particularly a haunting scene featuring a baby stranded on a beach, which some argue clarifies its message while others find it adds to the confusion.
Where to stream: Kanopy, Max, Digital rental
Synecdoche, New York (2008)
Philip Seymour Hoffman embodies a stand-in for writer-director Charlie Kaufman, portraying a man who uses a MacArthur Grant to stage a play within a massive replica of New York City. As time passes, the boundaries between the performance and reality blur, leaving both the characters and the audience grappling to discern what is genuine.
Where to stream: Digital rental
Annihilation (2018)
With a notable gap between critic and audience scores on Rotten Tomatoes, this visually striking yet perplexing sci-fi film, featuring Natalie Portman and Oscar Isaac, left viewers more puzzled than satisfied. The story follows a biologist unraveling the mystery of her husband's fate within a strange phenomenon known as "The Shimmer," but its cryptic conclusion likely left many scratching their heads.
Where to stream: Pluto TV, Digital rental
Asteroid City (2023)
Beginning as another whimsical Wes Anderson creation, this film explores aliens interacting with humans in a quaint desert town. As characters grapple with the unpredictability of this encounter, the narrative shifts into a meta-commentary on storytelling itself. Devotees of Anderson's unique style will find much to admire, though newcomers may remain unconvinced by this fragmented yet star-filled masterpiece.
Where to stream: Prime Video, Digital rental
The Fountain (2006)
Brad Pitt allegedly left this project due to the script's perceived lack of coherence, penned by Darren Aronofsky. Hugh Jackman stepped in, portraying a man pursuing immortality across three distinct timelines. The disjointed narratives failed to resonate with audiences, cementing its status as one of cinema's most notorious financial failures.
Where to stream: Digital rental
Naked Lunch (1991)
Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert expressed admiration for David Cronenberg's take on William S. Burroughs' novel, which delves into themes of paranoia and addiction, yet they couldn't endorse it. The film blends aspects of Burroughs' life and writings into its script, but its surreal elements, including conversing insects, render the storyline nearly impossible to follow.
Where to stream: Max
