As someone who has spent a considerable amount of time immersed in the intricacies of political history and cinema, I find myself drawn to these thrillers that not only entertain but also serve as a mirror reflecting society’s darkest fears and deepest secrets.
This article was originally published on November 4, 2020. Just in case you weren’t feeling anxious (and possibly paranoid) enough ahead of the 2024 presidential election, we’ve updated the list to include ten more conspiracy-driven movies.
As a contemporary movie critic, I find myself drawing parallels between the “paranoid style” identified by historian Richard Hofstadter in 1964 and the conspiracy theories that have persisted throughout American history, and are once again making headlines today.
Movies have a complicated history with conspiracy theories, as they’ve been employed to propagate misinformation and falsehoods about various topics such as 9/11 conspiracies, COVID-19 disinformation, UFO cover-ups, and whatever questionable claims Dinesh D’Souza might be promoting. However, the allure of sensational storytelling that comes with these theories, despite their tendency to unravel upon closer scrutiny, can be hard to resist. The intrigue of a world shrouded in secrecy and hidden agendas can be both enticing and unsettling. This theme isn’t confined solely to films explicitly about conspiracy theories; it also seeps into other movies. We’ve included some examples, although they may not rank as high on the list due to their non-conspiracy focus. A film by a certain director (Steven Spielberg) would place higher on a list of science fiction films but still deserves a spot here for its exploration of these themes.
What might not literally be accurate can still be metaphorically true. Here’s Hofstadter again: “Style has more to do with the way in which ideas are believed than with the truth or falsity of their content.” In the right hands, conspiracy theory–inspired movies tap into a deeper sense of unease and distrust. They can also feed into it. Would our distrust of the government have deepened quite as intensely after Watergate were it not for the Watergate-inspired films that followed it? We may never know. But we can explore the question via some compelling films inspired by the deepest, darkest pockets of political discourse.
25.
Soylent Green (1973)
In Richard Fleischer’s film adaptation of Harry Harrison’s novel Make Room! Make Room!, the shocking conclusion often steals the show, overshadowing the intricate narrative that precedes it. The story unfolds as detective Robert Thorn (played by Charlton Heston) uncovers a web of corruption and inequality within a densely populated, wretched future New York City. Although Soylent Green is science fiction, its portrayal of the wealthy exploiting the less fortunate through deception echoes similar themes found in other works that expose social injustices by means of sensational conspiracies.
24.
National Treasure (2004)
A movie that explores conspiracy theories, National Treasure features Nicolas Cage portraying Benjamin Franklin Gates, a historian and skilled treasure hunter. In the film, Gates contemplates a daring heist of the Declaration of Independence, but his motives are altruistic as he searches for a hidden map on its reverse that hints at a stash of wealth hidden by Freemasons, a group often associated with conspiracy theories. However, similar to the 2007 sequel National Treasure: Book of Secrets, the conspiracy itself is more about preserving history and patriotism rather than anything malicious. The real antagonists are those who wish to misuse this discovery for their personal benefit, not for America’s detriment.
23.
Conspiracy Theory (1997)
In a somewhat surprising twist, a paranoid thriller like “Conspiracy Theory,” released in 1997, can be viewed as a product of a simpler era. Unlike today, where conspiracy theorists can easily spread their ideas online, Jerry Fletcher (played by Mel Gibson) in this movie used a physical newsletter to share his theories with subscribers who actively chose to receive it. This was a time when spreading conspiracy theories required effort and the reach was limited to like-minded individuals.
22.
Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977)
As a movie enthusiast, let me tell you that National Treasure was my gateway into the captivating realm of concealed facts and covert operations. On the other hand, Steven Spielberg’s follow-up to Jaws, titled Close Encounters of the Third Kind, offered an earlier generation a sneak peek into this mysterious world. In this film, extraterrestrial beings shake up the lives of ordinary earthlings as they initiate first contact. While the movie maintains an overall optimistic tone, it subjects its characters—mainly Richard Dreyfuss portraying an electric-company employee and Melinda Dillon playing a single mom—to a series of trials and tribulations. These challenges stem not from extraterrestrial entities but from secretive government agents who are hell-bent on suppressing the truth about these visitors. The true peril, however, lies in the shadowy figures in suits who strive to prevent any revelations about their operations.
21.
Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988)
Similar to another tale set in California higher up on this list, “Who Framed Roger Rabbit” is based on real-world events, albeit with a fantastical twist. While Los Angeles never had a Toontown and humans didn’t live side by side with cartoon characters, it did have a functioning streetcar system owned by the Pacific Electric Railway Company that was eventually overshadowed by the construction of freeways. The decline of this railway company was due to several factors, such as shifting population patterns and the rise of automobiles. However, the film’s portrayal of a beloved and efficient service being destroyed by greedy forces in pursuit of profits presents the historical truth in a more sensational, conspiracy-theory style manner.
20.
Executive Action (1973)
Reframing the statement in a more accessible and conversational manner: The classic Kennedy assassination movie penned by Dalton Trumbo stands as the granddaddy among its peers, but it’s not all glowing compliments. Instead, this docudrama serves as an intriguing artifact of a specific era marked by conspiratorial thoughts. It combines real-life footage with reenactments and dramatic sequences, similar to another well-known Kennedy assassination movie that came later. The film, titled Executive Action, immediately sets the stage for who was behind Kennedy’s death by depicting a secret gathering of influential conservatives – Burt Lancaster, Robert Ryan, Will Geer, among others. They all agree, albeit reluctantly, that Kennedy should be eliminated due to his support for civil rights, plans to end the Vietnam War, and other issues they found inconvenient. The rest of the film painstakingly unfolds the details of their plan.
1970s’ Executive Action sparked significant debate, with several critics contending that the production was inappropriate given its subject matter. Whether it’s tasteful or not is still a topic of discussion, but the film masterfully illustrates how swiftly conspiracy theories emerged in relation to the Kennedy assassination. It also portrays how Kennedy’s death became synonymous with a generation’s downfall. The enigmatic conspirators depicted in the film serve as detestable yet familiar antagonists. Of course, these unidentified individuals meeting in secret to preserve the current order are the villains. They’ve always been the villains, and villains thrive on silencing those who dare challenge the system – a fact further reinforced by the subsequent deaths of Robert Kennedy, Martin Luther King, Malcolm X, and others for those who believe a hidden force was responsible.
19.
Rebel Ridge (2024)
In this Jeremy Saulnier-directed thriller, Aaron Pierre’s character, Terry, attempts to cycle into the small town of Shelby Springs, Louisiana, with plans to rescue his cousin, purchase a pickup truck, and start fresh elsewhere. However, upon being stopped by the police and having the cash he brought confiscated under the claim of “civil forfeiture,” Terry uncovers that the town’s illicit funds, which seem to be an open secret, are used to maintain power, with the police chief (Don Johnson) wielding this power to exact vengeance. This movie is a gripping action film that also serves as a frustrating expose of a common, everyday conspiracy that extends beyond mere theory.
18.
Wag the Dog (1997)
Larry Beinhart’s 1993 novel American Hero is set in a scenario where Operation Desert Storm was used to boost George H.W. Bush’s political standing. The film Wag the Dog, directed by Barry Levinson and written by Hilary Henkin and David Mamet, expands on this concept: What if a president under investigation for scandals led the nation into a war that never took place, complete with emotional stories, brave soldiers, and even a theme song? To pull off such deception requires the collaboration of a secretive fixer (Robert De Niro), a presidential advisor (Anne Heche), and a self-centered Hollywood producer (Dustin Hoffman). However, if closely examined, Wag the Dog collapses quickly. As a critique of politics driven by images and sound bites, and the ease at which false information can overshadow the truth, it is both smart and incisive. Although it seemed relevant in the ’90s, its prescience becomes striking as we look back several decades.
17.
Absolute Power (1997)
Reflecting on 1997 now, it appears as though it was a year filled with corrupt fictional presidents. For instance, in “Wag the Dog,” an unidentified president is implicated in a child sexual assault scandal. Meanwhile, President Alan Richmond from “Absolute Power” indulges in depraved sexual desires that lead to the murder of a wealthy woman, which is then concealed by the Secret Service. If it weren’t for a pesky jewel thief named Luther Whitney, played and directed by Clint Eastwood, the president might have escaped punishment. The film initially presents its characters with a cynical view that those in power are inherently evil, and as Whitney uncovers more about the dangerous information he possesses, the film’s tone becomes increasingly grim, suggesting that even the most incriminating evidence could topple the mightiest figure on Earth.
16.
JFK (1991)
Director Oliver Stone has often referred to JFK as a “counter-narrative,” an alternative account – whether factual or not and containing inconsistencies regardless – that challenges the established narrative of the John F. Kennedy assassination as presented by the Warren Commission. This approach to filmmaking about historical events is risky, and JFK has likely contributed more than any previous assassination literature in fueling speculation about Kennedy’s murder. However, this is a testament to the influence of filmmaking. Despite its debatable methods and conclusions, JFK is undeniably a powerful demonstration of how films can alter our perception of reality. Kevin Costner plays Jim Garrison, a district attorney from New Orleans who investigates clues that lead him to suspect Lee Harvey Oswald was not the only assassin of Kennedy. Stone constructs the film as a dizzying whirl, employing various film stocks, abrupt editing, and disconcerting sound effects to mimic the turmoil and uncertainty stirred by Kennedy’s death and the possibility that the whole truth may never be known. As an earnest quest for the truth, it falls short, but that is not the nature of counter-narratives.
15.
The Manchurian Candidate (2004)
In my film critic perspective, this fresh take on Richard Condon’s 1959 masterpiece swaps the original Cold War backdrop for the geopolitical tensions of the early 2000s. The literal Manchuria transforms into Manchurian Global, a powerful, intricate financial conglomerate that thrives on global instability and nurtures war. Reworking a timeless classic like Frankenheimer’s original is no easy feat, but director Jonathan Demme masterfully reimagines the narrative, focusing on the emotional turmoil of brainwashed Major Marco (Denzel Washington) and the devastation caused when unscrupulous forces manipulate democracy from within. Meryl Streep delivers a striking performance as a senator with questionable motives that some at the time speculated, against Streep’s repeated denials, were inspired by Hillary Clinton.
14.
Winter Kills (1979)
In a more extreme interpretation of a Condon novel, the film “Winter Kills” stars Jeff Bridges as Nick Kegan, the semi-brother of a president reminiscent of JFK, who embarks on a chilling quest to uncover the truth behind his death two decades later. His inquiry propels him on a progressively unsettling odyssey that makes him question everyone from the mafia to rival politicians to a film studio, ultimately arriving at the most dismal solution imaginable. Director William Richert employs the JFK assassination as a basis for dark humor (with an emphasis on the somber), resulting in a gruesome portrayal of political anxiety that boasts an ensemble cast including John Huston, Anthony Perkins, Sterling Hayden, and an unaccredited Elizabeth Taylor. (Richter had to navigate numerous obstacles to bring it to life. After underhanded dealings and a murdered producer halted production, the director and Bridges made another film partly to fund the completion of “Winter Kills”.) Despite its lack of popularity during its initial release, it feels like the almost nihilistic culmination of the paranoid 1970s thriller. As for a related topic…
13.
Under the Silver Lake (2018)
In a nutshell, the character Sam (Andrew Garfield), who tends to view the world as a complex web of conspiracies and hidden meanings, serves as an intriguing investigator in David Robert Mitchell’s lesser-known, darkly comedic film. The movie is set against a backdrop of Los Angeles that teems with encoded messages, secret hideouts, enigmatic songwriters, dog-targeting serial killers, and other peculiarities. Reminiscent of both “Inherent Vice” and “Foucault’s Pendulum,” the film becomes increasingly coherent as it grows more bizarre, following Sam as he descends deeper into a fracture in reality caused by the disappearance (under potentially suspicious circumstances) of his neighbor (Riley Keough).
12.
The Insider (1999)
Michael Mann’s film, a sequel to “Heat,” focuses on Jeffrey Wigand (Russell Crowe), a former executive in the tobacco industry who is persuaded by Lowell Bergman, a producer for 60 Minutes, to reveal damaging secrets about his past employers. In this movie, Mann illustrates how powerful corporations use intimidation tactics like legal threats and veiled warnings of violence to keep their wrongdoings hidden. The cover-up in this case may not be as heinous as the crime itself – manipulating cigarettes to make them more addictive – but it’s still highly problematic. Mann’s cool, subtle filmmaking technique effectively conveys a feeling of unavoidable foreboding.
11.
Three Days of the Condor (1975)
As a cinephile, I’d rephrase it this way: In the aftermath of the Kennedy assassination, America’s foundation of trust began to crack. However, it was during the tumultuous 1970s and films like Sydney Pollack’s “Three Days of the Condor” that turned these cracks into chasms, making shadowy government operatives a common trope in cinema. This movie takes the paranoia to another level, portraying a world where nothing is as it seems, and every seemingly ordinary person on the street could be a danger. Robert Redford plays a CIA analyst who, upon returning from lunch, finds his entire New York office empty. Suspecting everyone, he coerces an innocent woman (Faye Dunaway) to hide him. Given it’s a film starring Robert Redford, romance blossoms between them, but their love offers little protection against threats that appear to reach the highest echelons of government. The ambiguous, downbeat ending seems to echo the sense that something fundamental in American life had shattered and may never be restored again.
10.
Seven Days in May (1964)
John Frankenheimer continued his exploration of political intrigue with the movie “Seven Days in May,” a story about an attempted takeover of the US government following “The Manchurian Candidate.” These films offer a compelling comparison due to their themes. Written by Rod Serling, “Seven Days in May” derives its strength from its realistic portrayal and subtle acting, resulting in a strikingly believable depiction of a military coup aimed at replacing the president (Frederic March). Kirk Douglas plays a marine colonel who becomes suspicious that the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (Burt Lancaster), a revered figure, is planning a coup d’état. At times, the film feels like an extension of Frankenheimer and Serling’s earlier work in live television, lending it a sense of urgency that a more stylistic approach might not be able to capture.
9.
The Parallax View (1974)
Director Alan J. Pakula was known for his suspenseful ’70s films, such as Klute and All the President’s Men, which brought a thrilling atmosphere to real-life events like the Watergate scandal. The film The Parallax View, sandwiched between these works, is a conspiracy-theory inspired thriller starring Warren Beatty as Joe Frady, a reporter who uncovers a series of assassinations connected to a presidential candidate’s death. As he digs deeper, clues point him towards the enigmatic Parallax Corporation, but he finds himself in over his head in ways he could not have foreseen. Famous for its brainwashing scene, Pakula’s film heightened the era’s sense of fear to hysterical levels without losing credibility. It joined other films that reinforced the idea that corporations and governments, sometimes working together, might not always have our best interests at heart, even if their actions didn’t match our wildest, most terrifying nightmares.
8.
They Live (1988)
In a striking, science-fiction narrative by John Carpenter, he employs a crisp, potent symbolism to craft an allegory about how ordinary people unknowingly serve interests benefiting the affluent and influential: What if these affluent and powerful entities were extraterrestrial beings disguised as humans, manipulating us through subliminal messaging in entertainment and advertisements to consume and conform? The film stars professional wrestler-turned-actor “Rowdy” Roddy Piper as John Nada, a Los Angeles wanderer who stumbles upon sunglasses that reveal the disguised aliens among us. Perhaps, the movie implies, there might be some basis in even the most outlandish conspiracy theories, and perhaps these conspiracies lurk beneath appealing facades. Carpenter’s film humorously portrays this scenario but remains a clear-cut appeal to scrutinize what we accept as truth from the era of Ronald Reagan.
7.
Secret Honor (1984)
As a devoted admirer, let me express how profoundly impactful it was for me to witness Philip Baker Hall’s remarkable portrayal of Richard Nixon in Robert Altman’s cinematic masterpiece, “Secret Honor.” Adapted from a play by Donald Freed and Arnold M. Stone, who were instrumental in shaping the acclaimed work Executive Action, this film is an intense, solitary monologue delivered by a drunken, perspiring Nixon, reflecting on his life, presidency, grudges, and those who deceived him. Hall’s performance is simply outstanding, so exceptional that it’s effortless to forget the climax revolves around a conspiracy theory that gives the title an unexpected literalness. Whether or not the film endorses this theory is almost irrelevant. “Secret Honor” leaves an indelible impression, hinting at forces so powerful that not even the President of the United States can withstand them.
6.
Blow Out (1981)
In the spirit of Michelangelo Antonioni’s Blowup, Brian De Palma’s film Blow Out delves into a murder mystery concealed within sounds rather than images. The protagonist, Jack Terry, played by John Travolta, is a sound technician in a Philadelphia movie production company. During his work on some ambient noise, he accidentally records a car accident involving a presidential candidate, an incident Jack begins to suspect was actually an assassination. Directed with intense momentum by Brian De Palma, Blow Out skillfully weaves together elements from the Kennedy assassination, the Chappaquiddick incident, and post-Watergate anxiety, creating a gripping enigma that hints at the possibility of seemingly random killings being part of a larger conspiracy. The film culminates in a climax that is almost hauntingly bleak in its despair.
5.
The Conversation (1974)
Remarkably, the movie “The Conversation,” produced by Francis Ford Coppola between “The Godfather” and “The Godfather Part II,” coincidentally emerged during the Watergate scandal era. However, this timing is quite fitting given the shared themes in both works: nothing is ever as it seems, and there’s always a figure lurking behind the scenes manipulating events. In “The Conversation,” Gene Hackman plays an audio surveillance expert who, on behalf of a mysterious client known as the Director (Robert Duvall), records conversations that could potentially expose murder plans. While not a classic conspiracy theory film, it captures the raw paranoia of the ’70s and portrays a world controlled by unseen, enigmatic puppeteers, making it a significant addition to the genre of conspiracy-tinged cinema (or cinéma de complot).
4.
Chinatown (1974)
In this Roman Polanski-directed, Robert Towne-written film noir titled “Chinatown,” the character Jake Gittes, portrayed by Jack Nicholson, starts off as a skeptic who underestimates the level of corruption in 1930s Los Angeles, his home. The movie’s central plot revolves around an intrigue to displace farmers for control over the city’s water resources, which reflects a darker truth about the city’s history – that it often thrives on secretive schemes orchestrated in private to serve the interests of a select few. While the film may oversimplify and merge various historical events from different decades, its portrayal of a city where deceitful machinations occur behind closed doors hints at a possible overlap between conspiracy theories and urban planning.
3.
All the President’s Men (1976)
In “All the President’s Men,” Alan J. Pakula utilized the filmmaking techniques from his previous works such as “Klute” and “The Parallax View.” These tools, effective in both fact and fiction, were instrumental in this project. The lead roles of Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein, portrayed by Robert Redford and Dustin Hoffman respectively, recount the true story of how these reporters uncovered the Watergate scandal. This break-in at the Democratic National Committee’s headquarters led them on a path through a shady underworld of secret funds, deceitful tactics, and misleading narratives – ultimately reaching the highest office in the United States. For many, the Watergate affair was less a shock than a confirmation that politicians would go to great lengths to attain and maintain power, regardless of the principles and democratic procedures they might trample in the process. The daily headlines during this time had an unsettling, gripping quality reminiscent of a suspenseful, well-researched, intricate thriller. Pakula’s film remains factually accurate – other films on this list may claim to uncover hidden truths, but it is firmly rooted in proven facts. His understated, unsettling style reflects the convergence of nightly news and the chilling visions that many ’70s directors, including Pakula himself, had created.
2.
The Manchurian Candidate (1962)
In simple terms, John Frankenheimer’s film adaptation of Richard Condon’s novel “The Manchurian Candidate,” set during the Cold War, uses elements like McCarthy-era hysteria and rumors about American POWs undergoing Chinese mind control during the Korean War to create an unsettling atmosphere where trust is elusive and nothing seems genuine. Frank Sinatra plays Bennett Marco, a former POW haunted by dreams of his comrade Raymond Shaw (Laurence Harvey) carrying out murders on orders from their communist captors. After being promoted into politics by Shaw’s mother (Angela Lansbury), who is married to an anti-communist senator, Shaw becomes a valuable piece in a sinister game that Marco must uncover and thwart.
The movie is remarkably memorable not just because of its captivating plot, but also due to the palpable feelings of fear and tiredness it evokes. This is evident in the surreal brainwashing sequences or the way Sinatra portrays Marco’s sweaty agony as he converses with a compassionate bystander (Janet Leigh) on a train. It’s a vivid depiction of a historically exhausting period, and when it was first released, a year before the Kennedy assassination, no one could have anticipated just how much more dramatic events were about to become.
1.
Z (1969)
The underlying truths of some conspiracies may be camouflaged, blending seamlessly with everyday life. For instance, Costa-Gavras’ film “Z,” based on Vassilis Vassilikos’ novel and inspired by the 1963 assassination of Greek politician Grigoris Lambrakis, employs a subtle veil to depict the same right-wing forces who would seize power through a military junta in 1967. Yves Montand plays a character akin to Lambrakis, who is murdered publicly following a speech advocating for nuclear disarmament. Despite numerous witnesses, the police peddle a false story of a drunk driving accident, a ruse to conceal the assassins hired by the military to eliminate a perceived threat. A dedicated magistrate (Jean-Louis Trintignant), a photojournalist (Jacques Perrin), and a few others are left to expose and disseminate the truth.
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2024-10-25 01:55