“ESP” stands for extrasensory perception, a term used to describe abilities such as telepathy, clairvoyance, precognition, and psychokinesis. Films about ESP often explore the idea of individuals with these extraordinary abilities and the impact they have on the world around them. These films can be thrilling, thought-provoking, and often delve into the unexplained or supernatural.
“Scanners”, 1980
Director: David Cronenberg
Directed by David Cronenberg, “Scanners” is a sci-fi horror film that revolves around individuals with telepathic and telekinetic abilities known as “scanners.” The story follows a powerful scanner who is recruited by a corporation to hunt down rogue scanners, leading to a thrilling and intense exploration of ESP powers.
Starring: Jennifer O'Neill, Stephen Lack, Patrick McGoohan, Lawrence Dane, Michael Ironside, Robert A. Silverman, Lee Broker, Mavor Moore, Adam Ludwig, Murray Cruchley, Fred Doederlein, Géza Kovács, Sonny Forbes, Jérôme Tiberghien, Denis Lacroix, Elizabeth Mudry, Victor Désy, Louis Del Grande, Anthony Sherwood, Ken Umland, Anne Anglin, Jock Brandis, Jack Messinger, Victor Knight, Karen Fullerton, Margaret Gadbois, Terrance P. Coady, Steve Michaels, Malcolm Nelthorpe, Nicholas Kilbertus, Don Buchsbaum, Roland Nincheri, Kimberly McKeever, Robert Boyd, Graham Batchelor, Dean Hagopian, Alex Stevens, Neil Affleck, John Brasington, Chris Britton, Jack Canon, Richard Chapman Jr., Leon Herbert, William Hope, Thomas Kovacs, Michael Maloley, Ian McQue, Chuck Shamata, Sam Stone;
Production year: 1980;
Genre: horror, science fiction;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 103 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,7;
More information about the film “Scanners” on the website imdb.com
“The Fury”, 1978
Director: Brian De Palma
Directed by Brian De Palma, this film follows the story of a government agency's pursuit of a young man with psychokinetic abilities. The film explores the ethical and moral implications of harnessing and controlling ESP powers, leading to a gripping and suspenseful narrative.
Starring: Kirk Douglas, Amy Irving, Carrie Snodgress, John Cassavetes, Charles Durning, Fiona Lewis, Andrew Stevens, Carol Eve Rossen, Rutanya Alda, Joyce Easton, William Finley, Jane Lambert, Sam Laws, J. Patrick McNamara, Alice Nunn, Melody Thomas Scott, Hilarie Thompson, Pat Billingsley, J.P. Bumstead, Barry Cullison, Jack Callahan, Dennis Franz, Anthony Hawkins, Michael O'Dwyer, Felix Shuman, Albert Stevens, Anne Peterson, Eva Cadet, John Roche, Gordon Jump, Eleanor Merriam, Harold Johnson, Wayne Dahmer, Joe Finnegan, Kathleen Francour, Daryl Hannah, Laura Innes, Clair Nelson, Peter O'Connell, Al Wyatt Sr., Douglas J. Stevenson, Mickey Gilbert, Hanns Manship, Marland Proctor, Marshall Colt, Roberta Feldner, Stephen Johnson, Robin Marmor, Michael Copeland, Alfred Tinsley;
Production year: 1978;
Genre: science fiction, thriller, drama;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 113 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,3;
More information about the film “The Fury” on the website imdb.com
“Firestarter”, 2022
Director: Keith Thomas
Based on a novel by Stephen King, “Firestarter” tells the story of a young girl with pyrokinetic abilities who becomes the target of a government agency seeking to exploit her powers. The film delves into themes of power, control, and the consequences of wielding extraordinary abilities.
Starring: Ryan Kiera Armstrong, Zac Efron, Sydney Lemmon, Kurtwood Smith, John Beasley, Michael Greyeyes, Gloria Reuben, Tina Jung, Hannan Younis, Gavin Maciver-Wright, Vadims Grossmans, Jeremy Ferdman, Jamillah Ross, Morrissa Nicole, Sheila Boyd, Darrin Maharaj, Danny Waugh, Lanette Ware, Hunter Smalley, Isaac Murray, Nicholas Vilord, Vasanth Saranga, Shane Marriott, Moses Nyarko, Claire Armstrong, Neven Pajkic, David F. Sheridan, Miranda Millar, Xavier Lopez, Darryl Scheelar, Zion Forrest Lee, Patrick Kerton, A. Ross De St. Croix, Phi Huynh, Shannon McDonough, Jae Shim;
Production year: 2022;
Genre: science fiction, drama;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 94 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 4,6;
More information about the film “Firestarter” on the website imdb.com
“Push”, 2009
Director: Paul McGuigan
This action-packed film revolves around a group of individuals with various psychic abilities, including telekinesis, clairvoyance, and mind control. The story follows their attempts to evade a secret government agency while using their ESP powers to outmaneuver their pursuers.
Starring: Chris Evans, Dakota Fanning, Camilla Belle, Cliff Curtis, Djimon Hounsou, Corey Stoll, Maggie Siff, Ming-Na Wen, Nate Mooney, Scott Michael Campbell, Joel Gretsch, Neil Jackson, Li Xiaolu, Colin Ford, Robert Tsonos, Brandon Rhea, Kai Cheung Leung, Hsin-Nan Hung, Tam Wai-Man, Hal Yamanouchi, Chi-Kwan Fung, Jacky Heung, Paul Che, Neva Wong Lam, Bun Lam Shing, Hung Liu Kwok, Siu Yin Ming, Rain Lau, Sai Tang Yu, Pancy Pui-Sze Chan, Cheuk Shing Sum, Fanny Lee, Ming-Fai Sheung, Man Kit, Yuk Hing Chan, Jason Wong, Andy Tsang, Woon-Ling Hau, Shafin;
Production year: 2009;
Genre: science fiction, action, thriller;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 111 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,1;
More information about the film “Push” on the website imdb.com
“The Dead Zone”, 1983
Director: David Cronenberg
Directed by David Cronenberg and based on a novel by Stephen King, “The Dead Zone” follows a man who awakens from a coma with psychic abilities that allow him to see into the future. The film explores the moral dilemmas and personal sacrifices that come with possessing such extraordinary powers.
Starring: Christopher Walken, Brooke Adams, Tom Skerritt, Herbert Lom, Anthony Zerbe, Colleen Dewhurst, Martin Sheen, Nicholas Campbell, Sean Sullivan, Jackie Burroughs, Géza Kovács, Roberta Weiss, Simon Craig, Peter Dvorsky, Julie-Ann Heathwood, Barry Flatman, Raffi Tchalikian, Ken Pogue, Gordon Jocelyn, Bill Copeland, Jack Messinger, Chapelle Jaffe, Cindy Hinds, Helene Udy, Ramon Estevez, Joseph Domenchini, Roger Dunn, Vladimir Bondarenko, Claude Rae, John Koensgen, Leslie Carlson, James Bearden, Hardee T. Lineham, William B. Davis, Seirge LeBlanc, Vera Winiauski, Joe Kapnaiko, David Rigby;
Production year: 1983;
Genre: horror, thriller, drama, detective;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 103 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,2;
More information about the film “The Dead Zone” on the website imdb.com
These films about ESP offer a captivating exploration of the human mind and its untapped potential, often blurring the lines between science fiction and the unexplained.
The selection of films about ESP presents a captivating exploration of the human mind's extraordinary capabilities, delving into the realms of telepathy, precognition, and psychokinesis. From the intense psychological thriller “Inception” to the mind-bending classic “The Sixth Sense,” these films have skillfully navigated the enigmatic world of extrasensory perception, challenging viewers to ponder the boundless potential of the human psyche. Each film offers a unique perspective on the complexities of ESP, leaving audiences spellbound by the mysterious and awe-inspiring nature of the mind's untapped powers. Whether unraveling the intricacies of clairvoyance or confronting the profound implications of telepathic communication, these films have undoubtedly mesmerized and captivated audiences, cementing their place as timeless explorations of the extraordinary capabilities of the human mind.
