User:Vin101e/List of films about reality (philosophical)

List of Films about Reality (Philosophical) ...

This article is used to compile a list of movies that ask or make assertions about the nature or perception of reality. Fantasy and Sci-Fi movies will not be included if they only present a similar reality to our own with a few changes. For example, in The Lord of the Rings film trilogy or in Star Wars the characters' experience of time and space is generally similar to ours save "magic" or "space technology" exists.

Because the very institution of movies and watching movies is an entertainment of fantasy, not ALL movies that defy the normal are included. Only movies that directly question the malleability and existence of reality and its subsequent freedom from consequence.

These movies question the malleability and existence of reality, some with existential doubts.

Warning: Spoiler Alert!

Movies that ask "Is this Real?"
The movies in this section feature a character who at various points in the movie prompt the audience member to ask themselves - is this really happening?


 * Sucker Punch (film) (2011)
 * Black Swan (film) (2010)
 * The Truman Show (1998)
 * The Matrix (1999)

Movies about dreams
These movies also prompt the audience to ask whether or not the character is really experiencing what is happening on screen, but explains timeline shifts and perceptual inconsistencies by citing dreaming. Movies like Alice in Wonderland (2010 film) and Wizard of Oz (1939 film) are not cited because the character falls into dreaming but then wakes up back in "our reality." Movies like that do not question the nature of everyday life and reality.

Movies cited ask if life is a dream and if we will ever wake up...

Although the main character does wake up and distinguishes dreaming from reality, at some point in the movie we must ask ourselves, is this really happening?
 * Inception (2010)
 * Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)

Movies about perception or mental illness
These movies explicitly explain reality alterations by a shift in perception or mental illness. Because the main character in Black Swan (film) does not explicitly describe herself as having a mental illness, which mental illness if any she has is vague and inconclusive.

These movies do not necessarily make assertions about all reality, but generally question the saneness of the main character's reality -- generally by ascribing the main character a suspect perception.


 * Memento (film) (2000)
 * Fight Club (1999)

Other movies
Although other movies about time travel are NOT included, this movie is special because it discusses the philosophical and physic's idea of Multiple-universe_theory and Butterfly_effect.
 * The_Butterfly_Effect (2004)

Like the above movie, although it discusses timelines, it also discusses the philosophical concept of Multiple-universe_theory.
 * Donnie Darko (2001)

Although this movie is about dreaming, one critic argues that the fact that the top continues spinning at the end is because the main character is still dreaming. He argues that in fact, the top most layer of reality is OUR REALITY and that movies are the collective audience dream (and since we are still dreaming, the top keeps spinning). Read more here article
 * Inception

This film is included because of J.K. Rowling's assertion about the nature of time (not just time travel).
 * Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (film) (2004)

Notes: include movies that debate time travel

Notable movies that do not directly address the issue of reality
Although like most fantasy movies, the only difference between the movie's reality and our own is that the main character "can see dead people," it brings up the question of where do dead people go (religious/philosophical questions) and whether or not the universe of dead people is a parallel one to our own. Once again begs the question of Multiple-universe_theory.
 * The_Sixth_Sense (1999)