In this section of our Colossus Movie Guide for Vertigo, we provide recommendations for movies with similar themes and vibes.
Cast
- James Stewart – John “Scottie” Ferguson
- Kim Novak – Judy Barton / Madeleine Elster
- Tom Helmore – Gavin Elster
- Barbara Bel Geddes – Marjorie “Midge” Wood
- Henry Jones – the coroner
- Raymond Bailey – Scottie’s doctor
- Ellen Corby – manager of McKittrick Hotel
- Konstantin Shayne – Pop Leibel
- Alec Coppel – Writer
- Samuel Taylor – Writer
- Alfred Hitchcock – Director
Movies like Vertigo
The Double Life of Véronique (1991)
Directed by Krzysztof Kieślowski, The Double Life of Véronique is a mystical exploration of identity, connection, and fate. Starring Irène Jacob, it tells the story of two women, one in France and the other in Poland, who are complete strangers but share a deep, inexplicable bond. The film’s dreamlike visual style and its haunting meditation on the nature of individuality and the unseen links between people, resonate well with Vertigo‘s exploration of identity and duality.
Blade Runner (1982)
Directed by Ridley Scott, Blade Runner is a cornerstone of the science fiction and neo-noir genres. This 1982 classic, based on Philip K. Dick’s novel “Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?”, unfolds in a dystopian future Los Angeles. Harrison Ford stars as Rick Deckard, a ‘blade runner’ tasked with hunting down and ‘retiring’ advanced androids known as replicants. The film not only investigates themes of identity and memory but also questions the very nature of humanity itself, similar to how Vertigo challenges perceived reality. In addition, Blade Runner‘s distinctive visual aesthetics, combined with its atmospheric world-building and Vangelis’ haunting score, contribute to a cinematic experience that fans of Vertigo‘s stylized visuals and suspenseful narrative would find appealing.
The Face of Another (1966)
Hiroshi Teshigahara’s The Face of Another is a fascinating exploration of identity and alienation. The story revolves around a man, disfigured in an accident, who gets a new face and subsequently a new identity. The film delves into themes such as the fluidity of identity and the influence of physical appearance on personality, which makes it a compelling watch for fans of Vertigo.
Mulholland Drive (2001)
David Lynch’s Mulholland Drive presents a gripping exploration of identity, reality, and the dark side of Hollywood. The plot evolves in a non-linear manner, weaving in surreal elements that blur the boundaries between dreams and reality. Naomi Watts and Laura Harring deliver spellbinding performances as two women navigating the labyrinthine narrative. Lynch masterfully employs cinematic language to draw audiences into a narrative that operates on dream logic, accentuated by its atmospheric visuals and eerie soundtrack. Fans of Vertigo would appreciate Mulholland Drive‘s shared focus on the malleability of identity and the unreliability of perceived reality.
The Uninvited (1944)
Directed by Lewis Allen, The Uninvited is a classic, atmospheric ghost story. The plot centers on a brother and sister who move into a seaside house, only to discover it’s haunted. Its blend of suspense, romance, and supernatural elements, as well as its exploration of obsession and the past’s influence on the present, echoes Vertigo‘s narrative and thematic complexity.
Inception (2010)
From acclaimed director Christopher Nolan comes Inception, a visually stunning and intellectually engaging film. Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, the movie explores the human mind’s labyrinthine layers through its central premise of dreams within dreams. This thriller not only deals with themes of guilt, loss, and self-deception but also questions the nature of reality itself. With its complex narrative structure, breathtaking visuals, and emotive soundtrack, Inception can certainly appeal to fans of Vertigo, another film where nothing is as it seems.
Persona (1966)
Ingmar Bergman’s Persona is an exploration of identity and the human psyche. The Swedish film, starring Bibi Andersson and Liv Ullmann, presents an intense psychological drama unfolding between a nurse and her patient. Known for its radical narrative style, Persona probes deep into the themes of identity, duality, and mental illness. Its abstract approach to storytelling, the striking black-and-white cinematography, and the haunting performances contribute to an atmosphere that will remind Vertigo fans of the latter’s dark exploration of human psychology.
Cure (1997)
Kiyoshi Kurosawa’s Cure is a chilling Japanese psychological horror film that delves into themes of identity, memory, and suggestion. It follows a detective investigating a series of murders where the perpetrators have no memory of their actions. The film’s uncanny atmosphere and its exploration of the darker sides of the human psyche align with Vertigo‘s thematic depth.
Last Year at Marienbad (1961)
Alain Resnais’ Last Year at Marienbad is an avant-garde masterpiece that eschews conventional storytelling. It focuses on a man and a woman who may (or may not) have met the previous year at Marienbad. The film embraces ambiguity, playing with memory, perception, and reality much like Vertigo. The dreamlike narrative, the baroque visuals, and the hypnotic organ score, combined with the movie’s existential and phenomenological undertones, create a cinematic puzzle that fans of Vertigo‘s psychological depth and visual elegance would find intriguing.
Memento (2000)
Directed by Christopher Nolan, Memento is a psychological thriller that explores the fragility and subjectivity of memory. Guy Pearce stars as Leonard Shelby, a man suffering from anterograde amnesia, who is on a desperate quest to find his wife’s murderer. The story unfolds in a unique, non-linear structure, with two separate timelines intercutting throughout the film. This inventive narrative strategy, along with the exploration of themes of identity, truth, and reality, makes Memento a fascinating watch for Vertigo fans. Both films delve deep into the human psyche and toy with audience perceptions, making them question what they know and what they remember.
La Jetée (1962)
Chris Marker’s La Jetée is a French short film that stands out for its innovative narrative form and its philosophical depth. The film, comprised almost entirely of still images, tells the story of a man sent back and forth in time after a nuclear war. The film’s exploration of memory, time, and the illusion of reality resonate strongly with Vertigo‘s thematic concerns. It’s a fascinating piece of experimental cinema that Vertigo fans would find thought-provoking.
Stalker (1979)
Andrei Tarkovsky’s Stalker is an existential science fiction film that takes the audience on a profound philosophical journey. The narrative follows a guide, known as the Stalker, who takes two men into a mysterious Zone where hidden truths and deepest desires can be fulfilled. This film is not just visually stunning but also deeply introspective, exploring themes of faith, desire, and the essence of the human condition. Much like Vertigo, Stalker offers an immersive and meditative cinematic experience that leaves viewers with more questions than answers, challenging them to seek their own interpretations.
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, directed by Michel Gondry and written by Charlie Kaufman, stars Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet in an unconventional romance story. When their relationship turns sour, the characters undergo a scientific procedure to erase each other from their memories. However, as their memories fade away, they rediscover their love for each other. The film’s exploration of memory, identity, and the painful yet necessary process of letting go overlaps with Vertigo‘s themes. Its inventive storytelling, combined with a heartrending exploration of love and loss, creates a poignant and memorable narrative that Vertigo fans will appreciate.
Caché (2005)
Michael Haneke’s Caché is a suspenseful French thriller that deals with guilt, surveillance, and memory. Daniel Auteuil and Juliette Binoche star as a couple who receive anonymous videos that intrude into their personal lives, causing them to confront past guilt. This film uses its suspenseful narrative to delve into the themes of past trauma and responsibility, much like Vertigo. It also uses the motif of surveillance to examine how the past can continue to haunt the present, echoing Vertigo‘s obsession with observation and the past.
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