Published By: Nirtika Pandita

Hollywood movies exploring the subject of the human mind

They are mind-boggling and force you to think

Of the many subjects explored by the movie directors and narrators, the subject of mind has always been a unique one. While there have been narrations taking the audience back in time or in the future, there are few movies that solely explore the human mind. Right from bringing to screen the actual human emotions to the complexities of the brain, these movies are unique in every aspect. So here is a list of some of the movies exploring the concept of the human brain.

Inside Out

This computer-animated comedy-drama film explores the basic emotions of anger, disgust, sadness, and fear through the mind of an 11-year-old girl. Through Riley, the movie shows these basic emotions and how they control her actions. These emotions also tend to show how the memories form, change, and evaporate over time. Her experiences eventually become memories that are stored as colored orbs, which are sent into long-term memory each night. It is the aspects of these five most important ‘core memories’ from the five floating islands. Joy as the leader, along with other emotions, they try to limit Sadness's influence.

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

This 2004 romantic science-fiction drama film revolves around the subject of erasing the memories that no longer serve the purpose of joy. Through its character, Joel Barish played by Jim Carry, and Clementine Kruczynski played by Kate Winslet, the story shows how one finds it easy to get rid of the memories that are making them sad. As a couple, after the fight, Clementine erases her memories of Joel and he decides to do the same.

Inception

This 2010 science fiction action film, written and directed by Christopher Nolan, explores the concept of sub-consciousness. Starring Leonardo DiCaprio, the film shows him as a professional thief but not stealing material things but breaking and entering people’s minds. DiCaprio is someone who steals information by accessing the subconscious of his targets. The narration is to show the implanting and extracting of memories from the brain.

Total Recall

A science fiction action film, it is based on the 1990 film of the same name. The plot of the film begins at the end of the 21st century wherein chemical warfare has devastated the Earth. And now the only habitable land left is the United Federation of Britain (UFB), located in the British Isles and northwestern Europe; and the Colony, spanning all of Australia. And to move one has to pass through a machine wherein they can live any reality they wish.

Other movies are A Space Odyssey, Memento, Spellbound, Blade Runner and Blade Runner 2049, The Matrix, and The Bourne Trilogy.