About Fight Club
Directed by David Fincher, Fight Club is a psychological thriller about a disgruntled corporate worker (Edward Norton) who meets a carefree soap salesman (Brad Pitt). Together they begin a ‘fight club.’ A club for men to let off some steam in some bare-fisted boxing. However, pretty soon this is taken to a whole new level where the ‘carefree soap salesman’ ends up being a paranoid delusion. A delusion which wants to start a revolution by taking out America’s largest credit reporting agency through use of homegrown terrorism.
After a recent re-watch I started to think about other psychological thriller movies like Fight Club. Even if you have seen them already, these are some great movies to revisit.
Movies worthy of David Fincher’s Fight Club.
1. Memento (2000)
Written and directed by Christopher Nolan, Memento follows the investigations of Leonard Shelby, an insurance investigator who suffers from anterograde amnesia which means he can’t form new memories. So he uses notes and tattoos addressed to himself as clues to help him find the person responsible for murdering his wife.
There’s also plenty of stars from The Matrix films that appear which will made me come up with the conspiracy theory: what if Memento is just another level of The Matrix? I clearly need help.
2. The Machinist (2004)
Written by Scott Kosar and directed by Brad Anderson, The Machinist is a dark psychological drama featuring a machinist who is suffering from guilt and paranoid delusions because he hasn’t been able to sleep for an entire year. Fun fact: this is the film in which people started to speculate and worry about Christian Bale’s health as he lost 28 kilos (62 pounds) in order to look the part for the film.
I remember loaning the DVD of The Machinist to an old room mate who swiftly returned it after watching with a note attached saying “this is f***ed up.” And if that’s not an accurate review then I don’t know what is.
3. Tenet (2020)
Written and directed by Christopher Nolan, Tenet is a science fiction movie which challenges the normal flow of the space time continuum. In Tenet, the viewer is drawn into the world of a former CIA agent who learns how to weaponise time itself and prevent attacks from the future.
And in true Christopher Nolan form, there’s plenty of clever camera tricks that will make you feel like you’re the one travelling through time and on mind altering substances. This film is peak Nolan creativity.
4. 1408 (2007)
Directed by Mikael Håfström, 1408 is based on a Stephen King short story of the same name in which writer Mike Enslin investigates the strange and paranormal occurrences in a seedy and rundown hotel. The paranormal activity seems centralised on room 1408 and Mike Enslin a barrage of strange and unusual ghostly activity.
This is a film not to watch just before bed – or if you’re staying in a hotel.
5. Inception (2010)
Inception is a science fiction action film written and directed by Christopher Nolan in which Cobb and Arthur perform a form of corporate espionage by infiltrating the dreams of their subjects and placing ideas in their subconscious.
The dream-like state is achieved by Nolan and his team through a series of impressive camera and CGI techniques which create a mind-altering state.
6. Shutter Island (2010)
Directed by Martin Scorsese, Shutter Island is a psychological thriller about a Deputy U.S. Marshal who investigates a patient disappearance on an island whose facility houses the insane and disturbed. As the movie and storyline begins to unfold, it becomes clear to the viewer that all is not as it appears to be.
With the reveal at the end cementing Shutter Island as one of Leonardo Di Caprio’s greatest performances!
7. American History X (1998)
Directed by Tony Kaye, American History X follows white supremacist Derek who goes to jail for a hate crime in which he “curb stomps” an African American, killing him instantly. Once out of jail and seeing the error of his pro-Nazi ways, Derek does what he can to try and change the thoughts of his younger brother, Danny, who is following a similar to his older brother. A path which could spell disaster for both of them.
American History X is a violent and uncomfortable reminder that racism, hate crimes and homegrown terrorism is still a present threat – even over 20 years after this movie was first released.
8. American Psycho (2000)
Directed by Mary Harron and based on Bret Easton Ellis’ novel of the same name, American Psycho is a dark psychological thriller which verges on horror and comedy to convey its overall message. American Psycho is about investment banker Patrick Bateman who leads a double life where he lives out his psychopathic fantasies as a serial killer.
At the start of the movie he’s able to balance his double life precariously but eventually he devolves and his thirst for blood becomes uncontrollable. Over time, critics have spoken ill of this film for promoting this idea that white privileged men can get away with anything but I’m going to let you be the judge.
9. Natural Born Killers (1994)
Directed by Oliver Stone, Natural Born Killers is a violent thriller involving two lovers who also commit crime together. Not unlike a Bonnie and Clyde duo, Natural Born Killers starts off with the childhood of the two killers which are both traumatic. This turns them into lovers and killers ultimately.
The theme of Natural Born Killers is American media’s glorification of violence and crime. Not to mention the worship of serial killers. It’s as visceral as Fight Club’s commentary on hyper-aggressive capitalism. All in all, it’s an interesting narrative.
10. Seven (1995)
Directed by David Fincher, Seven is a psychological thriller featuring a serial killer who bases his kills around the seven deadly sins mentioned in the bible. It’s a dark movie with almost horror-like traits, drug references and a commentary on the seedy underbelly that was New York in the 1980s. It’s also one of the first psychological thrillers that started the trend of an ending twist which surprised audiences all around the world.
Seven also saved David Fincher’s career and helped Brad Pitt transition into more serious roles – so there’s that.
What did you think of this list of ‘Movies like Fight Club’?
What did you think of Fight Club? Have you seen any of these movies before?
Let me know in the comments.
