5 Films to Keep Us Awake Past Midnight

From violently graphic to painfully nostalgic, films are a powerful medium of expression. Read on to explore five that have kept us awake well past midnight. 

Decision to Leave (2022) 

“The moment your love ends, my love begins.” 

Marking the 11th film made by Park Chan-wook, the South Korean director is known for the viscerality of violence and erotica in his films. However, ‘Decision to Leave’ takes a departure from the filmmakers usual style. 

A twisted, modern romantic thriller ‘Decision to Leave’ is a masterclass in crafting a mystic, enigmatic story that will keep you up at night. Seasoned detective Hae-jun is assigned to investigate the murder of a man’s death- only to become entangled with his elusive wife, the prime suspect of the case. As a secretive affair blossoms between the two, a story fraught with desire, sacrifice, and the acceptance of the responsibility the two have. 

Parasite (2019)

"She’s not 'rich but still nice.' She’s nice because she's rich."

Bong Joon-ho’s Oscar-winning black comedy is the psychological thriller of the decade. Stunning cinematography and a masterfully written script create a compelling narrative that pushes you to confront the themes of capitalism and colonialism present through the story. 

As a lower-class family slowly infiltrates the life of a wealthy one, the audience begins to question who is the true parasite. The film manages to create humanity in even its most unsympathetic characters, blurring the line that divides by wealth and class.

Memoirs of a Geisha (2005)

“To a man, geisha can only be half a wife. We are the wives of nightfall.”

From the 14th century onwards, female Japanese hostesses known as ‘Geisha’ traditionally entertained men in a variety of settings. Based on a novel of the same name, the visually alluring film documents the journey of 9-year-old Chiyo’s transformation into a well-respected geisha. 

The film captivates through artistic shots of soft flowing silk and gorgeously landscaped gardens, but on a deeper level, contrasts the dissonance of individual identity with societal norms. 

Audition (1999) 

“Only pain and suffering will make you realize who you are.” 

Grisly, evocative classic ‘Audition’ tells the story of a mock audition casting for a man’s new wife. The film is both a psychological horror entangled with romantic plotlines, and fraught with themes of love, abuse, and revenge, that cements itself as a must-see for all thriller fans. 

One of the gorier films on the list, ‘Audition’ entertains themes of sexism through the unhealthy dynamics between several characters. The eerie, brutal scenes of torture make in a heavier watch, but no less memorable.  

Ghost in a Shell (1995) 

“Man is an individual only because of his intangible memory. But memory cannot be defined, yet it defines mankind.”

In 2029, Cyborg agent Major Motoko Kusanagi embarks on a journey to discover her origin, only to descend into a twisted plot of human alienation and stolen identity. 

In an era of rapidly developing artificial intelligence and social disconnect, Ghost in a Shell hits close to home. Despite being released nearly three decades ago, the dystopian interpretations of artificial intelligence and painfully accurate commentary on human identity of the film still rings true today.