Contemporary Concern: Altering Perception of Reality
The mind has the ability to process and make sense of the chaos around us. However, it can also alter our perception of reality and trap us within ourselves. This subconscious maze can become a cell, forcing us to confront the things we are repressing. Such surreal perceptions of reality can be seen in Joaquin Phoenix’s character’s journey in ‘Beau is Afraid‘.
This altered reality is also depicted in three barbaric and challenging films, available on streaming platforms.
Lost Highway: A Complex Mystery
David Lynch’s ‘Lost Highway’ is an abstract and challenging film that involves a complex mystery. The key to the entire film is a character’s statement: “I like to remember things my way…not exactly how they happened.” This attitude makes it convenient to live in a world that best suits oneself.
Fight Club: A Radical Satire
‘Fight Club‘, directed by David Fincher, is a radical satire on consumerism and toxic masculinity. The protagonist’s disrupted perception of reality takes us on a journey through the gray monotony of life. The narration is abstract yet digestible, and the ending is iconic.
I’m Thinking of Ending Things: Ambitious Moments
Charlie Kaufman’s ‘I’m Thinking of Ending Things’ is completely alienating to the average viewer. It explores the complex recesses of the mind, representing the abstract decomposition of memory. Its gloriously ambitious moments are among the best in Kaufman’s cinema.
Conclusion
These films offer unique perspectives and challenge the average viewer. They explore abstract and complex themes, depicting altered perceptions of reality. Watching them may be unsettling, but they are worth the experience and offer a deeper understanding of the human mind.
