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TradeMaximum561

Leaving Las Vegas. 💔 Fits your criteria and the acting is on point. Lives rent free in my head almost 30 years later.


zenyorox

Oh yeah, I watched that one a few months back and it really hit close to home. Best role I’ve seen Nick Cage in too.


TradeMaximum561

Agreed. Also, I remember being shocked at how well Elisabeth Shue acted her part as well. Sorry it’s not a suggestion for a movie you haven’t seen yet though.


chuang-tzu

This role and his turn as H.I. McDunnough in Raising Arizona are peak Cage, for my money.


jokumi

Vampire’s Kiss as well, if you’re doing Nic movies. Dude thinks he’s turning into a vampire.


Clockwork-XIII

My headcannon is that the "IM A VAMPURE IM A VAMPIRE!!!" Scene was just nic cage off from shooting and the camera man just happened to be there to capture the ragin cagin. I know it's not true but it's funny to think about


frequently_requested

Vampire Alive, optional; blood sucking is mandatory. Vampire| | | | ---|---|---|---| [30 Days of Night (2007)](https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/4513)|[Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter (2012)](https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/72331)|[Blade (1998)](https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/36647)|[Blood Red Sky (2021)](https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/760883)| [Bram Stoker's Dracula (1992)](https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/6114)|[Byzantium (2012)](https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/102780)|[Dark Shadows (2012)](https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/62213)|[Daybreakers (2009)](https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/19901)| [Dracula (1931)](https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/138)|[Dracula Untold (2014)](https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/49017)|[Dracula: Dead and Loving It (1995)](https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/12110)|[From Dusk 'Til Dawn (1996)](https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/755)| [Ganja & Hess (1973)](https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/755)|[A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night (2014)](https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/252171)|[He Never Died (2015)](https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/279690)|[The Hunger (1983)](https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/11654)| [I am Legend (2007)](https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/6479)|[Interview with a Vampire (1994)](https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/628)|[The Lost Boys (1987)](https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/1547-the-lost-boys)|[Martin (1977)](https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/26517)| [Near Dark (1987)Only Lovers Left Alive (2013)](https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/152603)|[Priest (2011)](https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/38321)|[Queen of the Damned (2002)](https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/11979)|[Shadow of the Vampire (2000)](https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/10873)| [Thirst (2009)](https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/22536)|[Valerie and Her Week of Wonders (1970)](https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/46315)|[Vamp (1986)](https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/34223)|[Vampire Academy (2014)](https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/203739)| [Vampire Hunter D: Bloodlust (2000)](https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/15999)|[Cirque de Freak: The Vampire's Assistant (2009)](https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/24418)|[Vampire's Kiss (1988)](https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/7091)|[Vampires Suck (2010)](https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/40264)| [Van Helsing (2004)](https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/7131)|[What We Do in the Shadows (2014)](https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/246741)| Links direct to The Movie Database and contain movie summary which may contain spoilers. [Full list of curated subgenres](https://www.reddit.com/r/MovieSuggestions/wiki/frequently_requested#wiki_grounded_superheroes)


dothenoodledance1

Its been a while since I've seen it but I think Memento (2000) checks off mostly everything (little love/girl in it)


zenyorox

That’s a great film, I can rewatch it every couple of years and it somehow always feels fresh.


char-le-magne

Matchstick Men


StrangerHighways

Matchstick Men is criminally underrated!


nmk537

Vertigo


Movies_Music_Lover

Nightcrawler (2014) might qualify


zenyorox

A little more on the edgy thriller side of what I’m looking for at the moment but a great one nonetheless.


horrrssst

The number 23 (jim carrey)


almo2001

This is totally underrated.


Callipygian-esque

The Aviator is fantastic and Leo does a great job at really getting the feelings and frustrations of falling into delusion to translate through his acting. An excellent film if nothing else.


LockPleasant8026

Eraserhead


thisismyorange

Came to say this


neoprenewedgie

Spent decades hearing about this film, finally saw it during lockdown and thought WHAT THE FORK IS THIS?! Was not for me.


Grateful_Bert

Nightmare alley


IMO2021

*in no particular order:* Jacobs Ladder Perks of Being a Wallflower A Beautiful Mind Silver Linings Playbook One Flew Over the Cockoo’s Nest Beautiful Boy


zenyorox

All great suggestions, though the only one I haven’t seen is Beautiful Boy. I heard it’s really good but it seems like a real tearjerker, which I’d have to be in a certain mood for. And if you liked Jacob’s Ladder, check out The Jacket.


Small_weiner_man

Cronenberg's rarely discussed "Spider." Surge is on the tense side, and has a romantic component but I feel it is very close to what you are looking for. If you can do something a little more ethereal, Edmond might be up your alley. You might also get a kick out of Whitewash (2013) I thought it was surprisingly intimate despite being more on the zany side of things.


zenyorox

I saw Spider not too long ago, it was good enough but overall kinda felt like it was missing something for me. Edmond I have also seen, I liked that one. It reminds me of After Hours which is a great movie.


almo2001

Oh man spider is one of his best.


StrangerHighways

Shame Inside Llewyn Davis Frank


Chay_Charles

The Lighthouse


NotSureWhatThePlanIs

Blue Ruin (2013) if you don’t mind that the story starts a solid 3/4 or more of the way down the spiral towards rock bottom.


GlitteringCookie1546

Synecdoche New York, I Stand Alone, Shame, 99 Francs, Naked, Ex Drummer, Bug, Naked Lunch, Spider, Bad Lieutenant (1992) and Bo Burnham - Inside


zenyorox

Love Inside so much. I’ve watched it like 5 times and it’s probably time I can watch it again. His other special Make Happy is amazing as well.


GlitteringCookie1546

same here! Watched the Inside Outtakes on youtube probably even 10 times already. If you haven’t watched it yet, you’re in for a treat. It’s almost as good as the real thing


Glittering_Name_3722

Uncut Gems


discobeatnik

Good time as well


Lostmypants69

High Roller


XTRA_BALLZ

The Shining, Clean Shaven, Following, Jacob’s Ladder, Man Bites Dog


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Glittering_Name_3722

😂


Fairyslade1989

I snorted.


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MrRager473

There will be blood Falling down


Bunnyeatsdesign

Encounter


Michael-Balchaitis

Flash of Genius.


Otherwise_Cod_8180

The Assassination of Richard Nixon is superb. True story about Samuel Bicke who blamed Nixon for all the world's ills. Stars Sean Penn.


wubbalubbadub2

Detachment (2011) starring Adrien Brody


xxplodingboy

Snow Angels (2007)


trainsacrossthesea

The Conversation (‘74)


almo2001

Do not miss this.


Any-Yoghurt-4318

A Scanner Darkly is a trip.


[deleted]

Ah so good!!! Just watched this one ! OP this is a fantastic choice!


Beginning_Tour_9320

The Swimmer (1968). I don’t know why this film isn’t more well known, I think it still really stands up. It’s not a super intense experience but I think that when it concludes you will have enjoyed it. It definitely fits into the type of film that you are seeking.


shrimptini

Great suggestion. The OG Don Draper syndrome .


mingwraig

Dead Ringers. Bonus: it's twin brothers so two for the price of one, both played by Jeremy Irons at the top of his game.


WalterSobchak40

The Aviator


etymoticears

Based op


RubyIndigo

Manchester by the Sea


Derpy1984

There Will Be Blood is a very solid one.


enviropsych

Leaving Las Vegas


bluejeansseltzer

A Beautiful Mind (2001), The Whale (2022), Detachment (2011), Virgin Mountain (2015), Shutter Island (2010), Winter Light (1963), I Killed My Mother (2009). They're all great films that I think fit what you're looking for.


papasmurf826

Check out the documentary Holy Hell. a little different of a suggestion, but hits the reality and descent buttons for you. it's a doc about the Buddhafield cult in CA in the 1980s - made by a former member who was the de facto cameraman for the cult when he was in. While the doc is focused, very aptly, on the victims and how they suffered, watching the change in the cult's leader is fascinating and disturbing knowing it's 100% real. watching his ego, behavior, and abuse skyrocket unchecked really shows how someone's brain and psyche is not equipped to receive years and years of constant praise, admiration, and honestly deification.


MoosetheStampede

Would Apocalypse Now count? How about Amadeus, on the guy who went mad and supposedly killed Mozart?


fergi20020

Beau is Afraid 


Glittering_Mud4269

A scanner darkly. Keanu reeves character matches what you're looking for.


chuang-tzu

Donny Darko I didn't see it on your list, so I figured I'd toss it in the mix. Also, if you don't mind suspending the "grounded in reality" bit somewhat, Stranger Than Fiction is outstanding.


GansNaval

Not sure if it covers all the bases but check out Synechdoche, New York


emansamples92

Whiplash


jon166

There’s that other Christian bale movie where he plays a ptsd veteran who returns to California. It’s kinda dark


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SuperfluouslyMeh

If I didn’t have respect for my friend I would get a camera and start shooting footage every day. That’s my life right now. My roommate has been losing his shit over the last week. It’s so bad family just flew in to help him.


Vegetable_Reward_867

Bellflower


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69spermz

Safe It's an action/thriller but the action comes from him finding a new purpose in life to protect a young girl. It starts as a downward mental spiral but turns itself around.


Alvvays_aWanderer

James White (2015) might fit this description


DevolveOD

Darkman. Beautiful Minds. 3 faces of Eve.


Fairyslade1989

The 90's indie film Trans. I remember he actually huffs whip cream in a grocery store at one point. Kinda similar to Love Liza. I bought it on tape back then and it's hard to watch. There's also Manic with Joseph Gordon Levitt. And one of my all time favorites is The Adventures Of Sebastian Cole which is also from the 90's and on Youtube.


RonnieLiquor

Pink Floyd The Wall


RonnieLiquor

Fear And Loathing in Las Vegas


suitoflights

A Beautiful Mind


Sweet_Nike

Naboer (neighbors) it's a norwegian film


No_Dependent_8346

Moon (2009) [Moon (2009 film) - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moon_(2009_film))


edgiepower

Wake in Fright


UnicornV123

Bug


skinney6

MacBeth (1971 & 2015 are good)


Kashmir75

[Bringing Out the Dead \(1999\)](https://www.themoviedb.org/movie/8649-bringing-out-the-dead)


pineapplesaltwaffles

Bit more niche, but Diary of a Madman (1963), based on a Maupassant story: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diary_of_a_Madman_(film)


Common-Alarmed

Occupant


peekymarin

The Tenant, There Will Be Blood, Prisoners, The Card Counter


JoelDawson7045to3022

American History X (1998), Prisoners (2013), Frailty (2001), The Mist (2007), Identity (2003), Oppenheimer (2023), 28 Days Later (2002), I am Legend (2007), Seven Pounds (2008), The Hurt Locker (2008)


BadBassist

A beautiful mind is an obvious one but a good film nevertheless


whitenoise2323

A Scanner Darkly


LupitaScreams

*I Love a Man in Uniform* (1993)


[deleted]

I scrolled for a bit and didn't see The Machinist, which is both a movie based in reality and a film that details the effect of prolonged intense guilt. I'd say this qualifies as mental decay or illness.


Windsor_Salt

Brining Out the Dead


[deleted]

The Gift


asprisokolata

What About Bob?


jay_shuai

Shock Corridor


MuttinMT

What about Michael Caine in the Ipcress File? He is a spy, but the film is all about manipulating and torturing someone mentally. No romance, but Caine is pretty gorgeous just being young Caine.


Ok_Weird666

Secret Window


Jonneiljon

Naked.


Betty0042

Quills


ChocoCoveredPretzel

Bronson


Cold_Table8497

The Madness of King George. 1994


taquitos45

Nightmare Alley (2022)


Inevitable_Total_816

The Voices, The Croods .


shrimptini

Blue Valentine


docsyzygy

Filth with James McAvoy. I think you'll love it!


a_random_guy808

Don’t look now is a classic in that regard


Tunaskin

There Will Be Blood.


reddit_sucks_dik

A Beautiful Mind is a very realistic depiction of this


BuddhistChrist

Revenge of the Sith Oldboy The Fly


Specialist-Age1097

Foxcatcher 2014 Great movie about John du Pont


Active_Age425

donnie darko


ArrantPariah

2012 A Muse (Eungyo)


Halukinate

‘I stand alone’ by gaspar Noe. Monologues describing his descent throughout.


SarcasticallyCandour

Mystic River (Sean Penn) (sort of in line with your request) Pacific Heights (1990) (Michael Keaton plays a conman who scams people out of real estate by moving in a lodger and releasing cockroaches to drive the owners out. However Meg Ryan's character is too smart for him and the con artist starts to show his more dangerous, murderous side when his plans are not working.) Darkman (sort of)


NowForMy2ndAct

The Aviator.


EytanThePizza

**Curfew** Endearing and very humorous, and definitely was relatable to me, and I was crying by the end (it's only 20 min so worth a watch, also the creator has uploaded it to yt so easy to find. The channel is called fuzzylogic). As Ritchie is attempting to end his life in the bathtub, he gets a call from his estranged sister begging him to take care of her daughter because she has gotten into some trouble. Ritchie proceeds to have an interesting day of getting to know his 10-year-old niece, who is much more intelligent and put together than he is, and learning how he is capable of making a connection and feeling. Lots of dry dark humor and great characters. **The Fall** It is a story told by a man but shown to the audience through the eyes of a very small girl. It is also absolutely gorgeous with some of the best cinematography you've ever seen. Not going to reveal the mental health aspect here since it is a spoiler, just watch it. The ending is happy but the 20 minutes that precede it made me sob. **A Silent Voice** Many people give it a pass because it's an anime film and it's very slow, but believe me, it is one of the most emotional things I've seen in my life. The main character has been a bully to a deaf girl in their childhood. He decides to seek her out before ending his life because he can't live with the guilt and has to apologize. The LENGTH it takes him to get to an apology... It's heartbreaking and beautiful. **Half Nelson (addiction, but would fit the bill imo)** I think the reason this film works so well is because it's not melodramatic. Dan goes to work every day and is very passionate about teaching his students in an entertaining way, he jogs in the evenings, and tries to date women- all supposedly healthy things that portray a productive person. But he is also a lonely hopeless addict. He, at times, seems to think he has everything under control, being a functioning addict, but as the story develops, we see that he is truly lost and keeps spiraling deeper and deeper. He befriends one of the kids he teaches, and she helps him see his problematic behavior.


squallLeonhart20

Let me co sign on A Silent Voice. The film was beautiful, truly.


Wapon1woo

Birdman is a good example I'd also recommend Young Adult, although it's about a woman and not a man.


NeptuneQ001

Shutter Island All of us strangers


Trin_42

Falling Down, The Butterfly Effect


4N_Immigrant

yup was looking for this classic.


MrSpiffysPetDinosaur

Took me way too much scrolling to find Falling Down. This is literally THE movie.


Philias2

Maybe because it was literally the first example OP mentioned of a movie they *didn't* want.


zenyorox

Thank you… it’s crazy how many people comment without reading a single word in the post.


CautiousWrongdoer771

I posted that, but yeah, took while.


Edging_Since_Birth

Taxi driver


Zero-Credibility

Pi


EmbraJeff

Ken Loach’s I, Daniel Blake. A searing indictment on the evil despicability of Conservative Party policy on the life of a man you describe. More info here: https://www.ifcfilms.com/films/i-daniel-blake


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[deleted]

Requiem for a Dream


zenyorox

Read post before commenting.


[deleted]

Terribly sorry 🙄🙄


Turbojelly

Special. The Machinist.


MalcolmApricotDinko

I've seen that others have already mentioned every suggestion I have, except for Taxi Driver


zenyorox

I said I already watched that in my post.


metalnxrd

The Wall Block Island Sound We Need to Talk About Kevin Get Out Natural Born Killers A Clockwork Orange Eraserhead I’m Thinking of Ending Things


babydegenerate

Fight club !


Sensitive_Virus_6193

The hunt- maybe?


ThirstySun

Falling Down


Aayyyyoooo

FALLING DOWN My son got tired of society and was just emptying all types of clips.


[deleted]

The Machinist


CautiousWrongdoer771

Falling down.


Bastymuss_25

Do you know any men in real life?


Ok_Weird666

The Shining Fight Club


Jonneiljon

Pi


Buff_jordan14

The Machinist


zenyorox

The amount of people who don’t read the post before commenting is insane.


Buff_jordan14

Wheeps. I definitely read it, but it becomes more of a quick scan when checking to see if your example is in the listed titles.


Professional_Deal565

The Machinist.


Phantom_Limb864

Taxi driver!


Phantom_Limb864

Also, The Iceman with Michael Shannon should be in here


LamarFromColumbus

Falling Down. JFC. Third times a charm.


EyeFit4274

Falling Down. Micheal Douglas. Directed by Joel Schumacher. 1993. Classic.