Cut!17 Movies Where the Main Character’s Life Spirals into Chaos

1. A Serious Man 2009，IMDB Rating: 7.0, IMDB Votes: 150996, ID: 1019452
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A Serious Man (2009) is a dark comedy that follows the life of Larry Gopnik, a physics professor whose life spirals out of control after his wife leaves him. The film brilliantly portrays the mental states of its characters and their struggles with faith and morality. Despite its dark theme, the film’s unique blend of humor and drama makes it a compelling watch.
2. Requiem for a Dream 2000，IMDB Rating: 8.3, IMDB Votes: 907350, ID: 0180093
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Requiem for a Dream (2000) is a harrowing exploration of addiction and its devastating effects on the lives of its characters. The film’s unflinching portrayal of the downward spiral of its characters, driven by their substance dependencies, is both disturbing and deeply moving. It serves as a stark reminder of the destructive power of addiction.
3. Uncut Gems 2019，IMDB Rating: 7.4, IMDB Votes: 322464, ID: 5727208
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Uncut Gems (2019) is a high-stakes thriller that follows Howard Ratner, a jeweler and gambling addict, whose life becomes increasingly chaotic due to his risky bets and debts. Despite the stress-inducing plot, the film’s strong performances and engaging storyline make it a riveting watch.
4. Leaving Las Vegas 1995，IMDB Rating: 7.5, IMDB Votes: 136039, ID: 0113627
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Leaving Las Vegas (1995) is a tragic love story about a man who decides to drink himself to death and a compassionate prostitute who takes him in. The film’s depiction of the destructive nature of alcoholism and the desperate attempts at finding solace in love make it a deeply affecting cinematic experience.
5. The Banshees of Inisherin 2022，IMDB Rating: 7.7, IMDB Votes: 258981, ID: 11813216
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The Banshees of Inisherin (2022) is a tragicomedy that explores the deteriorating relationship between two lifelong friends on a remote Irish island. The film’s exploration of friendship, loneliness, and purpose, combined with its dark humor and stunning Irish scenery, make it a unique and memorable watch.
6. Inside Llewyn Davis 2013，IMDB Rating: 7.4, IMDB Votes: 164539, ID: 2042568
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Inside Llewyn Davis is a poignant tale of a struggling folk singer navigating the Greenwich Village music scene in the 1960s. The film beautifully captures the character’s continuous struggle and his inability to achieve success. As a viewer, you can’t help but empathize with Llewyn’s plight, making it a compelling watch.
7. Falling Down 1993，IMDB Rating: 7.6, IMDB Votes: 209369, ID: 0106856
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Falling Down is a gripping portrayal of a man’s descent into chaos after losing his job and being separated from his family. The film’s exploration of societal indifference towards mental illness and the resulting spiral into violence is both disturbing and thought-provoking. It’s a stark reminder of how quickly life can take a turn for the worse.
8. After Hours 1985，IMDB Rating: 7.6, IMDB Votes: 83096, ID: 0088680
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After Hours is a dark comedy that takes you on a wild ride through one man’s nightmarish journey in New York City. The protagonist’s life gets progressively worse as he encounters bizarre and dangerous situations. The film’s surreal atmosphere and relentless tension make it a fascinating study of a life spiraling out of control.
9. Joker 2019，IMDB Rating: 8.4, IMDB Votes: 1515417, ID: 7286456
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Joker is a deeply unsettling exploration of a man grappling with mental illness, whose life deteriorates into violence. The film’s portrayal of the protagonist’s descent into madness is both disturbing and thought-provoking. It’s a stark depiction of how societal neglect can lead to catastrophic consequences.
10. The Butterfly Effect 2004，IMDB Rating: 7.6, IMDB Votes: 525170, ID: 0289879
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The Butterfly Effect is a psychological thriller that explores the concept of time travel and its unintended consequences. The protagonist’s attempts to change his past to improve his present only make things worse. The film is a chilling reminder of how small changes can have far-reaching effects on our lives.
11. Fight Club 1999，IMDB Rating: 8.8, IMDB Votes: 2353642, ID: 0137523
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Fight Club, directed by David Fincher, is a dark and fast-paced drama that presents a stark critique of consumerism and the emptiness of a life driven by material possessions. The film’s protagonist, played by Edward Norton, is a discontented white-collar worker whose life spirals out of control as he forms an underground fight club with Brad Pitt’s character, Tyler Durden. As the club evolves into an anti-capitalist domestic terrorist organization, the protagonist’s life continuously worsens, reflecting the movie’s theme of the main character’s life getting progressively worse. Despite its controversial nature, the film has been recognized as a cult classic and has received an IMDb rating of 8.8/10.
12. Mulholland Dr. 2001，IMDB Rating: 7.9, IMDB Votes: 387458, ID: 0166924
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Mulholland Dr., a film that leaves viewers in a state of confusion and befuddlement, tells the story of two young women, one of whom suffers from amnesia after a car accident. The film, directed by David Lynch, is a mesmerizing experience that explores the disconnect between individuals and their true desires, caused by the monotony of life and the pressure to conform to societal standards. As the plot unfolds, the life of the protagonist, played by Naomi Watts, continuously worsens, making it a fitting entry in the list of movies where the main character’s life continuously gets worse.
13. Ocean’s Eleven 2001，IMDB Rating: 7.7, IMDB Votes: 625053, ID: 0240772
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Ocean’s Eleven is a stylish and entertaining heist film that combines a star-studded cast with a clever plot. George Clooney, Brad Pitt, and Matt Damon lead a charismatic ensemble in a movie that’s as fun as it is thrilling. The film’s slick direction and witty dialogue make it a must-watch, proving that thrillers can be both smart and immensely enjoyable.
14. Ocean’s Twelve 2004，IMDB Rating: 6.5, IMDB Votes: 416970, ID: 0349903
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Ocean’s Twelve may not capture the same magic as its predecessor, but it still offers a fun and twisty ride. The ensemble cast returns with their charm intact, and the European setting adds a fresh flavor to the heist. While the plot can be overly complex, the film’s playful tone and stylish execution keep it entertaining.
15. Ocean’s Thirteen 2007，IMDB Rating: 6.9, IMDB Votes: 369684, ID: 0496806
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Ocean’s Thirteen brings the gang back together for another slick and entertaining caper. The film returns to the Las Vegas setting, with Al Pacino adding a new layer of villainy. While it follows a familiar formula, the movie’s charm and the cast’s chemistry make it a satisfying conclusion to the trilogy.
16. Se7en 1995，IMDB Rating: 8.6, IMDB Votes: 1819404, ID: 0114369
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Se7en is a dark and disturbing thriller that delves into the depths of human depravity. David Fincher’s direction, combined with powerful performances from Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman, creates a chilling atmosphere that lingers long after the credits roll. The film’s exploration of the seven deadly sins is both horrifying and thought-provoking, making it a standout in the genre.
17. Firewall 2006，IMDB Rating: 5.8, IMDB Votes: 59813, ID: 0408345
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Firewall is a formulaic yet engaging thriller that sees Harrison Ford as a bank security expert forced to rob his own bank to save his family. While it doesn’t break new ground, the film’s solid performances and tense moments make it a decent watch. It’s an underrated entry in Ford’s filmography that delivers enough suspense to keep you hooked.