Iconic Directors: Psychological Thrillers

Martin Scorsese

Martin Scorsese was born in Queens, New York in 1942. His parents were both actors working in the garment industry. Throughout his childhood Scorsese was unable to play sports and join teams due to severe asthma, so he was often taken to movie theatres as a consolation, which began his passion for cinema. He studied at New York University's film school where he began making his first short films.

Cape Fear

Cape fear was Scorsese's first psychological thriller film. It was released in 1991, and stars his usual collaborator Robert DiNero. It follows the story of a convicted rapist who seeks revenge on who he believes is responsible for his 14-year-sentence. The running idea of 'revenge' is a theme we have pulled inspiration from in our own movie synopsis for our trailer.

Shutter Island

Shutter Island is one of Scorsese's most recent psychological thrillers. It follows U.S. Marshal Edward "Teddy" Daniels (Leonardo DiCaprio) , who is investigating a psychiatric facility on Shutter Island, but his own sanity comes into question. I liked the questionable mental stability featured in this film. I admired how ambiguous the lead character is in sense of what unfolds in the narrative, as he is presented as sane before equilibrium is disturbed.

David Fincher

David Fincher, was born 1962 in Denver. He gained recognition for his controversial campaign advert for smoking awareness, which feature a foetus smoking a cigarette. With his mother being a mental health nurse, psychological areas were not uncommon to Fincher, and it is said that this influenced much of his later work in the thriller genre.

Se7en 

Se7en was a 1995 psychological-thriller starring Brad Pitt, and Morgan freeman as detectives on a mass murder case of a killer who based his murders on the seven deadly sins. This was Fincher's first critically acclaimed  feature film. I loved the tension built throughout this film, and the mystery surrounding the murder case, as well as the allusiveness of the film's setting. 

Panic Room 

Panic Room was a 2002 film starring Jodie Foster. It follows a woman and her daughter who must hide in a safe room  It became known as one of the most famous thrillers ever made. I admired the female dominance in the film, however I would take into my own trailer a different presentation of women, as perhaps more powerful than just a victim like is presented in this film. 

Darren Aronofsky 

Darren Aronofsky born 1969 is an american film director best known for his acclaim over surreal, disturbing films. He studied social anthropology and film making. He has stated spike lee and Roman Polanski as his major influences. 

Requiem for a Dream 

Requiem for a Dream is a 2000 film in the genre of psychological drama. It holds the disturbance that we wish to portray in our trailer. The film is known for its mature themes and controversiality. We have found inspiration from the way it pushed boundaries and was a true exploration psychologically. 

Black Swan 

Black Swan was a 2011 psychological thriller starring Natalie Portman. It came to much critical acclaim with an oscar win for best actress awarded to Portman. It explores the mental and psychological breakdown of a ballet dancer as she is cast in the lead role of Swan Lake. We were inspired by the psychological depth, and the female dominated cast. We believe that the female cast brought a sympathetic depth to the psychological traumas and dysfunctions, and it brought in a new audience to psychological thrillers, something we would hope to do.