As we all know, the figure of the psychopath has been used repeatedly in the world of cinema. Normally, characters with psychopathic features are represented by the typical knife killer who chases young teenagers who are spending a crazy evening with their friends.

Movies about psychopaths: the definitive ranking

But we go beyond that. We invite the most film buffs, and especially fans of this genre, to enter the world of antisocial personality disorder through the magic of film. To achieve this, we have drawn up a list of films particularly recommended by a passionate fan of this subject.

We won’t give you spoilers about the movies so you can enjoy them fully!

Traditional classics that address psychopathy

We cannot open this article without mentioning, of course, the classic films that deal with psychopathy . You probably already know many of them, but we should not forget these jewels of show business.

1.The Silence of the Lambs (1991)

Considered a cult film and one of the best in the horror genre, we find ourselves with a classic: The Silence of the Lambs (along with all the others in the saga), with Hannibal Lecter as the protagonist represented by the great Anthony Hopkins, was a film that won five Oscars.

The FBI is looking for the so-called “Buffalo Bill”, a serial killer who hunts down and kills teenagers , carefully preparing each crime and skinning them afterwards. Clarice Starling, an expert in psychopathic behavior is hired to help catch this ruthless killer. To do so, she visits the high security prison where Hannibal Lecter, a former psychoanalyst and cruel murderer with an intelligence far superior to that of the common people, is being held, with the aim of obtaining information about the behavioural patterns of the killer who is walking free.

2.American Psycho (2000)

Patrick Bateman , played by the famous and charming Christian Bale, is a handsome and successful yuppie from Wall Street who apparently has it all: he is gentlemanly, he is attractive, he is intelligent, he is powerful and he gets the woman he wants. But it seems that underneath all this apparent perfection lies a potential sadistic killer, whom no one suspects because of his high social status.

For those of you who haven’t seen this movie, what are you waiting for? Absolutely recommended, heartbreaking, with touches of acidic humour that go like a glove, mixed with scenes of depravity that make American Psycho an essential film about psychopathy.

3.Clockwork Orange (1971)

Directed by the excellent and neat Stanley Kubrick , the story of Clockwork Orange is about a boy (led by the very successful Malcolm McDowell), who is used to a stormy life, full of violence and chaos. After multiple criminal acts committed by him and his companions, he is finally captured and imprisoned. During his internment as a prisoner, he decides to voluntarily submit to a method based on behavioral psychology that aims to suppress violent impulses.

Probably, A Clockwork Orange is the best known film about antisocial personality disorder. A famous film that, in spite of having been in the retina of film lovers around the world for more than 40 years, is still one of the best cinematographic creations in history, as well as one of the most interesting for delving into criminal behaviour.

4.The Shining (1980)

Continuing with Stanley Kubrick’s direction and starring the experienced Jack Nicholson, the film is about the story of Jack Torrance , an ex-alcoholic writer who moves with his family to a lonely high mountain hotel to work as a night watchman.

Once there, he begins to undergo a series of psychic changes that lead to a spiral of violence against his wife and child. In this case, the protagonist’s personality would fit better in the sociopathy , because of the psychological change that Jack suffers due to the sudden change he experiences in his life.

5.Psychosis (1960)

We could not make this list without mentioning the famous film Psycho , directed by Alfred Hitchcok and starring Anthony Perkins.

This film is about the search for the murderer of the secretary Marion Crane , an intrepid woman who was staying in a lonely roadside motel after running away with her company’s money.

6. Se7en (1995)

Essential. Directed by David Fincher and with a deluxe cast, with Morgan Freeman , Brad Pitt , Gwyneth Paltrow and Kevin Spacey . A series of murders keeps two police officers in the investigation department on tenterhooks. Horrified by the cruelty of the crimes, they are surprised by the hidden message the killer is trying to leave behind.

With one of the most unexpected endings in the history of cinema, Se7en pushes the viewer to the limit, transporting him into the world of a macabre psychopath who aims to leave a dark message for humanity.

Recent movies about psychopathy

At last! Having reviewed the undisputed classics that combine high-quality cinema with psychopathic characters, it is now time to review some titles that have been showing for less than a decade and that also tell us about characters with antisocial personality disorder.

7.Funny games (2007)

A couple and their child are going to spend a few days and rest at their holiday home. Newly arrived, they meet two young people (Michael Pitt and Brady Corbet), apparently very friendly and polite, who ask them for eggs. From that moment on, the family is going to be involved in a hell they wish they hadn’t been part of even their worst nightmares.

Although there is an older version, I will recommend the most current remake . With its scenes of extreme cruelty, it’s disturbing, not suitable for sensitive people! In order not to spoil the sensations experienced when watching this film, I will not explain anything else. However, I recommend you not to watch the trailer. Enjoy it! It’s simply not wasted.

8. Joshua, the Son of Evil (2007)

A couple like any other celebrates the birth of their second child, Lily. Joshua, their first child, is no ordinary child. He has a scary intelligence and precocity. He shows a macabre serenity for his young age, and seems increasingly unhappy with the arrival of his sister into the family.

Afterwards, the family will be involved in a serious situation of domestic terror that they would never have expected. The reason?

9.Hard candy (2005)

Jeff, a 32-year-old photographer, organizes a meeting with Hayley (played by a very young Ellen Page), a 14-year-old with whom he has been chatting on the Internet for some time. After meeting for coffee, Jeff invites Hayley to his house for a photo shoot.

A horrifying, twisted film that plays with the viewer’s mind and leaves no one indifferent. Totally recommended!

10.Perfume (2006)

Jean Baptiste was born among the remains of fish and rot, abandoned by his mother. He was sent to a hospice where he was raised in a totally hostile environment, repudiated by all due to his strange peculiarity: he had no body odor. However, he had an exceptional sense of smell, which led him to become obsessed with trapping all kinds of essences: the smell of glass, copper… and of young, beautiful women.

Excellent film that won multiple awards and recognitions. In the line of The Silence of the Lambs , following a serial killer who commits his crimes in a very peculiar way and whose victims are only women.

11.Stoker (Perverse Ties, 2013)

The film is about India Stoker , a teenager who loses her father. Since then her life is broken, as her father was the only person with whom she felt a deep bond. Her impassive behaviour hides deep dark feelings, which will be understood and shared by her uncle Charlie , a character who will appear by surprise to take care of her and her unstable mother (Nicole Kidman).

A special and surprising film, to say the least, for its delicate and poetic way of dealing with violence and disturbance, mixing it exquisitely with eroticism.

12.We need to talk about Kevin (2011)

Last but not least, my greatest discovery and most recommended recent film on antisocial personality disorder.

Starring the incomparable Ezra Miller (in his teenage years) and nominated for several awards, this film is mainly about Kevin and his mother Eva. Since his birth, Kevin is a difficult child: he doesn’t show any appreciation for his mother, cries incessantly, doesn’t learn to go to the bathroom just to be annoying and shows no interest in anything. As the child grows up, his behavior becomes more sinister and his relationship with his mother more conflictive.

A film that combines parts of the past and present, keeping the viewer in constant uncertainty. Exquisitely disturbing, with little dialogue and playing with textures, colors… to let the viewer’s mind flow in all kinds of sensations. Only recommended for true followers of the genre!

Shutter island (2010)

This film does not fully meet the criteria of antisocial personality disorder. In fact, it may have more to do with another psychopathology: post-traumatic stress disorder.But I wanted to include it in this ranking of films that deal with psychopathy, not only because of its indirect relationship with the disorder but also because of its enormous psychological relevance. Well, let’s say it all: because I think it’s an absolutely wonderful film.

I won’t say any information about her, for the same reason as Funny Games . Just… enjoy every second of this work of art!