Films about hearing voices delve into a variety of psychological, supernatural, or science fiction themes, exploring the complexities of the human mind, the unseen forces of the universe, or the untapped potential of humanity. These films often hinge on the premise of characters who hear voices, either as a result of mental health issues, as communication from the beyond, as part of a technological reality, or through divine or mystical intervention. This subject matter allows filmmakers to explore the boundaries of reality, sanity, and perception, offering audiences a window into the experiences of those who navigate life guided by voices others cannot hear.
“A Beautiful Mind”, 2001
Director: Ron Howard
This film is a biographical drama about John Forbes Nash Jr., a brilliant but asocial mathematician who struggles with paranoid schizophrenia, which causes him to experience delusional episodes and hear voices. It delves into how these auditory hallucinations impact his life and career, offering a poignant look at mental illness.
Starring: Russell Crowe, Ed Harris, Jennifer Connelly, Christopher Plummer, Paul Bettany, Adam Goldberg, Josh Lucas, Anthony Rapp, Jason Gray-Stanford, Judd Hirsch;
Production year: 2001;
Genre: biography, drama, melodrama;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 135 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 8,2;
More information about the film “A Beautiful Mind” on the website imdb.com
“Donnie Darko”, 2001
Director: Richard Kelly
A unique blend of psychological thriller and science fiction, “Donnie Darko” explores the story of a troubled teenager who survives a bizarre accident only to start having visions of a man in a large rabbit suit who manipulates him into committing a series of crimes. The protagonist hears voices that lead him to question reality and his own sanity.
Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Jena Malone, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Mary McDonnell, Holmes Osborne, Patrick Swayze, Noah Wyle, Drew Barrymore, James Duval, Katharine Ross;
Production year: 2001;
Genre: science fiction, thriller, drama, detective;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 113 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 8;
“Field of Dreams”, 1989
Director: Phil Alden Robinson
This film is a magical realism sports fantasy that tells the story of an Iowa farmer, Ray Kinsella, who hears a mysterious voice one night in his cornfield saying, “If you build it, he will come,” prompting him to construct a baseball diamond in his fields. The voices and visions lead him on a journey of faith and reconciliation.
Starring: Kevin Costner, Amy Madigan, Gaby Hoffmann, Ray Liotta, Timothy Busfield, James Earl Jones, Burt Lancaster, Frank Whaley, Dwier Brown, James Andelin;
Production year: 1989;
Genre: fantasy, drama, family, sport;
MPAA rating: pg;
Duration: 107 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,5;
More information about the film “Field of Dreams” on the website imdb.com
“The Sixth Sense”, 1999
Director: M. Night Shyamalan
A psychological thriller featuring a young boy who communicates with spirits that don't know they're dead and seeks the help of a disheartened child psychologist. The film intricately explores the theme of hearing voices from the perspective of a child, blending supernatural elements with deep emotional storytelling.
Starring: Bruce Willis, Haley Joel Osment, Toni Collette, Olivia Williams, Trevor Morgan, Donnie Wahlberg, Peter Anthony Tambakis, Jeffrey Zubernis, Bruce Norris, Glenn Fitzgerald;
Production year: 1999;
Genre: detective, fantasy, science fiction, thriller, drama;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 107 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 8,2;
More information about the film “The Sixth Sense” on the website imdb.com
“Shutter Island”, 2009
Director: Martin Scorsese
This psychological thriller, set in 1954, follows U.S. Marshal Edward “Teddy” Daniels as he investigates a psychiatric facility on Shutter Island after one of the patients goes missing. Throughout the film, Teddy experiences disturbing visions and auditory hallucinations that hint at a much darker truth.
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Mark Ruffalo, Ben Kingsley, Max von Sydow, Michelle Williams, Emily Mortimer, Patricia Clarkson, Jackie Earle Haley, Ted Levine, John Carroll Lynch;
Production year: 2009;
Genre: thriller, detective, drama;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 138 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 8,2;
“Voice from the Stone”, 2016
Director: Eric D. Howell
A haunting thriller set in 1950s Tuscany. A nurse is hired to help a young boy who has fallen silent since the sudden passing of his mother. She confronts a mysterious entity and eerie voices that permeate the ancient walls of the family's estate, suggesting a supernatural aspect to the boy's condition.
Starring: Emilia Clarke, Marton Csokas, Caterina Murino, Remo Girone, Lisa Gastoni, Edward Dring, Duccio Camerini, Nicole Cadeddu, Antonella Britti, Giampiero Judica;
Production year: 2016;
Genre: thriller, drama, detective;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 90 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 5,2;
These films, each in their unique way, use the concept of hearing voices to drive narrative and thematic elements, providing viewers with profound insights into human psychology, mystery, and the beyond.
The exploration of films that delve into the phenomenon of hearing voices presents a diverse and compelling tapestry, reflecting the intricate relationship between the human mind and its external realities. Through haunting narratives in psychological thrillers, the internal struggle of characters in dramas, and the innovative storytelling in science fiction, cinema has effectively harnessed this complex experience to probe the depths of identity, reality, and the unseen forces that shape our perceptions. These films stand as a testament to the power of the medium to empathize, challenge, and ultimately illuminate the multifaceted experiences of mental health and the human condition. As society continues to evolve in its understanding and acceptance of mental health issues, the cinematic journey through the minds of those who hear voices remains an essential cultural dialogue, pushing audiences to confront stigma, understand difference, and embrace the profound mystery of what it means to be truly human.
