Here are Cinephile Corner’s 10 recommendations for movies like Zodiac:
Memories of Murder
Memories of Murder remains my favorite of Bong Joon-ho’s films, narrowly edging out Parasite, and is a testament to his unparalleled ability to weave societal critique into gripping narratives. Few movies are as chilling, as masterfully constructed, or as deeply affecting as Memories of Murder. Not just Bong’s best, but one of the best films ever made.
No Country for Old Men
Revisiting No Country for Old Men on its 4K Criterion Collection release reminded me why this film stands among the greats—not just of 2007, not just of the 21st century, but of all time. It’s Joel and Ethan Coen at their most precise and uncompromising, blending their dualistic approach to filmmaking: the sharp nihilism of their darker works with the understated, situational humor that defines their lighter outings. It’s a masterpiece of tension, craft, and existential dread, all wrapped in a narrative as sparse and unrelenting as the Texas landscape it inhabits.
The Batman
The Batman is a complete reimagining of superhero genre tropes. A moody noir piece backed by a haunting score and Robert Pattinson as the caped crusader, Matt Reeves’ 2022 blockbuster rewrites what’s possible for these genre films.
Se7en
30 years after the movie’s release, Se7en stands the test of time by being David Fincher’s first significant breakthrough hit. A murder mystery, the film leans on great performances and rainy imagery.
Woman of the Hour
Anna Kendrick’s directorial debut Woman of the Hour is a taut genre piece with a few thrilling plot threads that pull you along. It’s one of the better releases in 2024 under the Netflix brand. And although I prefer my serial killer movies to have a lot less style and window dressing than this, the 1970s aesthetic doesn’t entirely suffocate the story that the movie is trying to tell. Kendrick stars with a worthy leading performance, while Daniel Zovatto is eerily effective as the big bad opposite her.
Strange Darling
Strange Darling wears its influences on its sleeve. Director JT Mollner isn’t ashamed to let his inspirations be known as his latest thriller delivers twists and turns around every corner, and is told in a nonlinear fashion that makes it really hard not to think of a few classics. The likes of James Wan and Quentin Tarantino come to mind for these reasons, but Mollner’s Strange Darling doesn’t feel nearly as fresh as Saw or Pulp Fiction felt decades ago.
The Social Network
The Social Network might not be a “perfect” movie in a traditional sense, but it’s as close as any film has come in the 21st century. Directed by David Fincher and written by Aaron Sorkin, this 2010 masterpiece remains endlessly rewatchable, endlessly quotable, and deeply resonant in ways that continue to evolve with time. I’ve seen it more than any other movie—memorized its rhythm, its cutting dialogue, its thumping Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross score that pulses through every moment. It’s a film that never loses its edge, no matter how many times you revisit it.
Oppenheimer
Oppenheimer is undoubtedly one of the best movies directed by Christopher Nolan, who puts any doubt to rest that he wouldn’t be capable of capturing a story of this magnitude. Cillian Murphy gives an iconic performance that intensifies each moment rolling along this breakneck biopic of J. Robert Oppenheimer.
The Killer
The Killer is nothing short of a triumph for David Fincher and a treat for fans of his filmography. It may be the most Fincherian movie ever made, but far from devolving, it solidifies his mastery of the medium. A calm Michael Fassbender performance helps seal The Killer as on of the best movies of 2023.
Decision to Leave
Park Chan-wook deserves all the credit he’s getting for Decision to Leave – a film the relies heavily on a master filmmaker working at his best. Although it isn’t as violent or abrasive as his past gems, Decision to Leave still finds its pocket in a filmography full of clever material.
