Movies About Narcissistic Mothers

From Todd Phillips, starring Joaquin Phoenix, Robert De Niro, Zazie Beetz, Frances Conroy
Rated R

Joker is an American psychological thriller film directed by Todd Phillips and written by Phillips, Scott Silver, and producer/director/actor Joaquin Phoenix. The film follows the origin story of Arthur Fleck, a failed stand-up comedian, who transforms into the criminal mastermind known as the Joker. After turning to a life of crime, Arthur is driven to insanity and becomes a symbol of chaos in Gotham City. With the help of his allies, namely Penny and Randall, Arthur is able to cause mayhem and his influence spreads throughout the city. The film explores themes of mental illness, poverty, and the lack of support for those in need, as well as themes of revenge and justice. The film stars Joaquin Phoenix in the lead role, with Robert De Niro, Zazie Beetz, Frances Conroy, and Brett Cullen in supporting roles.

From Darren Aronofsky, starring Natalie Portman, Mila Kunis, Vincent Cassel, Winona Ryder
Rated R

Black Swan is a psychological thriller directed by Darren Aronofsky, starring Natalie Portman as Nina Sayers, a ballet dancer who strives for perfection and is set to star in a production of Swan Lake. She takes on the challenge of mastering both the White Swan and the Black Swan role, but as she immerses herself in the role, she begins to have hallucinations and starts to lose her grip on reality. She is driven to the brink of madness by her powerful and manipulative director, Thomas Leroy (Vincent Cassel), her mother (Barbara Hershey), and her rival, Lily (Mila Kunis). As Nina's journey continues, she descends deeper into darkness and is consumed by the duality of her roles.

From James Cameron, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet, Billy Zane, Kathy Bates
Rated PG-13

Titanic is a 1997 American epic romance and disaster film directed, written, co-produced, and co-edited by James Cameron. A fictionalized account of the sinking of the RMS Titanic, it stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet as members of different social classes who fall in love aboard the ship during its ill-fated maiden voyage. The film focuses on the contrasting social classes aboard the Titanic, as well as the personal stories of the ship's crew and its passengers. The film begins with an elderly Rose narrating her story about the Titanic's sinking. In 1912, 17-year-old Rose boards the luxury liner with her mother and fiancé, Cal. During the voyage, Rose meets and falls in love with Jack, a penniless artist. As their love blossoms, Cal becomes increasingly jealous. When the ship strikes an iceberg and begins to sink, a panicked evacuation begins. Rose is saved by Jack, and the two escape together in a lifeboat. After surviving freezing waters and dehydration, they are rescued and taken to America, where Rose and Jack part ways. Rose's story concludes with her visiting the Titanic's wreck, and her elderly self throwing away the Heart of the Ocean, a jewel

From Joe Wright, starring Keira Knightley, Matthew Macfadyen, Brenda Blethyn, Donald Sutherland
Rated PG

Pride & Prejudice is a 2005 romantic drama film directed by Joe Wright and based on Jane Austen's novel of the same name. The movie follows the five Bennet sisters, who come from a small town in 19th century England. The eldest, Elizabeth (Keira Knightley), is strong-willed and determined to marry for love, despite the fact that her mother (Brenda Blethyn) is desperate to marry off her daughters and secure their financial futures. When the wealthy, single Charles Bingley (Simon Woods) arrives in town, along with his haughty friend, Mr. Darcy (Matthew Macfadyen), Elizabeth finds herself in a battle of wits and emotions with the latter, who she initially finds prideful and arrogant. Through a series of events, the two gradually get to know each other and eventually fall in love, but not before having to overcome several obstacles and prejudices.

From Nick Cassavetes, starring Gena Rowlands, James Garner, Rachel McAdams, Ryan Gosling
Rated PG-13

The Notebook is a romantic drama set in the 1940s. It follows two star-crossed lovers, Noah Calhoun and Allie Hamilton, as they traverse a tumultuous journey of love and heartbreak. After a summer romance, Allie is forced to move away due to her family's social status, but Noah refuses to forget her and continues to write her every day for a year. When Allie returns, she must choose between her fiancé, Lon, and Noah. Despite the obstacles they face, including Allie’s family’s disapproval and Lon’s determination to keep them apart, Noah and Allie are determined to make their love last. The story is narrated by an elderly man reading from a notebook that recounts the story of Noah and Allie. The Notebook is a timeless and unforgettable love story.

From Directors: Nathan Greno, Byron Howard, starring Mandy Moore, Zachary Levi, Donna Murphy, Ron Perlman
Rated PG

Tangled is an animated musical fantasy adventure film released in 2010, directed by Nathan Greno and Byron Howard. It is based on the German fairy tale "Rapunzel" by the Brothers Grimm and follows the story of a lost princess with long, magical hair who yearns to leave her isolated tower. She is soon rescued by a thief named Flynn Rider, and together they embark on an exciting and comical journey of self-discovery, facing danger and hurdles along the way. Along the way, they make new friends, learn about themselves, and discover the importance of family. The film features numerous original songs and features the voices of Mandy Moore and Zachary Levi.

From Tim Burton, starring Alec Baldwin, Geena Davis, Michael Keaton, Annie McEnroe
Rated PG

Beetlejuice is a 1988 American dark fantasy-comedy film directed by Tim Burton and starring Michael Keaton as the title character. The film follows a recently deceased couple, Adam and Barbara Maitland, who seek the help of a devious bio-exorcist called Betelgeuse (pronounced "Beetlejuice"), to remove the obnoxious family that has moved into their home. But when Beetlejuice's crazed antics become uncontrollable, the Maitlands must drive him away and save the home they love. The film also stars Alec Baldwin and Geena Davis as Adam and Barbara Maitland, and Winona Ryder as their teenage daughter Lydia Deetz. The film received positive reviews from critics and was a box office success at the time of its release, grossing $73 million in the United States alone against a budget of $15 million.

From James L. Brooks, starring Shirley MacLaine, Debra Winger, Jack Nicholson, Danny DeVito
Rated PG

From Baz Luhrmann, starring Tom Hanks, Austin Butler, Olivia DeJonge, Helen Thomson
Rated PG-13

From Lee Daniels, starring Gabourey Sidibe, Mo'Nique, Paula Patton, Mariah Carey
Rated R

From Directors: Clyde Geronimi, Wilfred Jackson, Hamilton Luske, starring Ilene Woods, James MacDonald, Eleanor Audley, Verna Felton
Rated G

From Peter Kosminsky, starring Michelle Pfeiffer, Renée Zellweger, Robin Wright, Alison Lohman
Rated PG-13

From Andy Muschietti, starring Jessica Chastain, James McAvoy, Bill Hader, Isaiah Mustafa
Rated R

From Ate de Jong, starring Phoebe Cates, Rik Mayall, Marsha Mason, Tim Matheson
Rated PG-13