Conspiracy theories are phenomena with a strong presence in contemporary society. In general, these theories refer to beliefs, often without solid foundations, that important events are the result of secret and planned actions by powerful occult groups or government bodies.
The appeal of believing in these conspiracies is complex and the reasons are varied. However, the ability of these far-fetched stories to provide simplistic explanations for complex and disturbing events is often quite appealing.
And perhaps it is precisely because of this fascination that cinema has become interested in conspiracy theories as a source of inspiration for countless productions. Below we list 8 films that address this topic in some way.
Conspiracy theory films
Conspiracy Theory (1997)
Available for rental and purchase on Amazon Prime Video, Google Play Movies & TV, Apple TV and Microsoft Store.
As the name of the film suggests, this work directed by Richard Donner (“Superman” and the “Lethal Weapon” film series) deals with conspiracy theories.
The film stars Mel Gibson, who plays a New York cab driver with an obsession with conspiracy theories. He believes many absurd stories and lives in constant fear of being persecuted by government agents for what he believes to be the “truth”.
The plot, however, takes a surprising turn when the taxi driver becomes involved in a real conspiracy. The film also stars Julia Roberts and Patrick Stewart.
Operation Avalanche (2016)
Available for rental and purchase on Amazon Prime Video.
In “Operation Avalanche,” Matt Johnson (“BlackBerry”) directs and stars in a “found footage” mockumentary that mocks and satirizes the conspiracy theory that the Apollo 11 moon landing was a fake.
The plot is set in 1967 and follows a team of CIA agents who infiltrate NASA disguised as a documentary team with the aim of investigating suspected Soviet espionage. However, the agents end up discovering that the United States is unable to land on the Moon and return safely. However, the most ambitious agent of the team has a brilliant idea: to create “Operation Avalanche”, whose mission is to stage filming on the Moon.
JFK – The Question That Won’t Be Silent (1991)
Available to HBO Max and Star+ subscribers.
Oliver Stone’s controversial and controversial film explores conspiracy theories surrounding the 1963 assassination of US President John F. Kennedy.
The plot revolves around the investigation conducted by prosecutor Jim Garrison into the assassination of JFK. Garrison is haunted by the idea that Kennedy’s assassination was the result of a larger conspiracy than the official version presented.
Kevin Costner plays Jim Garrison and the cast also includes Tommy Lee Jones, Gary Oldman, Kevin Bacon, Michael Rooker, Jack Lemmon, Laurie Metcalf, Sissy Spacek, Joe Pesci, John Candy, Walter Matthau, Donald Sutherland, among others.
Soaked in Bleach (2015)
Docudrama investigating the death of Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain. However, the film calls into question the official version of the suicide, based on the conspiracy theory that Cobain may have been murdered.
The main interviewee is the private investigator hired by Courtney Love (Cobain’s wife at the time) to locate the musician, who disappeared before being found dead in 1994. This man claims that there are discrepancies in the police investigation and the description of the crash site, which raises the possibility of homicide rather than suicide.
Additionally, the documentary uses fictional dramatic re-enactments with actors to explore the controversies involving Courtney Love and Kurt Cobain’s final days.
Available to Amazon Prime Video subscribers.
Director David Robert Mitchell, known for directing the horror film “Treat of Evil,” directs this conspiracy-filled neo-noir opus. The film contains several pop culture references and explores conspiracy theories, subliminal messages in pop songs, secret codes and occult symbolism. All of this makes for a challenging, delirious and paranoid journey through the city of Los Angeles.
Actor Andrew Garfield stars in the production, playing an unemployed young man who becomes involved in a series of mysterious and strange events after meeting his neighbor, who mysteriously disappears.
“Capricorn One” is a science fiction thriller directed by Peter Hyams that explores conspiracy theories in the era of the space race and the Cold War, featuring an all-star cast of Elliott Gould, James Brolin, Brenda Vaccaro, Sam Waterston, O.J. Simpson and Hal Holbrook.
The plot revolves around an elaborate hoax by the United States to cover up the failure of a manned mission to Mars. The crew of Capricorn One is removed at the last moment and forced to participate in a simulation, through threats. However, the truth threatens to come to light thanks to astronauts and a journalist, but the conspiratorial forces will do everything to hide the facts.
Available to Netflix subscribers.
“The Da Vinci Code,” based on the novel of the same name by Dan Brown, is a box office success that has sparked discussion for its exploration of conspiracy theories related to religious themes and secret societies.
The film follows a professor of religious symbolism (Tom Hanks) and a cryptographer (Audrey Tautou) as they investigate the murder of a curator at the Louvre, uncovering clues and secrets hidden in the history of the Catholic Church and the work of Leonardo da Vinci. . This touches on the mysteries related to the Holy Grail and the descent of Jesus Christ, protected by a secret society.
The cast also includes Ian McKellen, Jean Reno, Paul Bettany and Alfred Molina.
A film that dives deep into the world of conspiracy theories, “The Conspiracy” tackles this theme in an intense found footage-style thriller.
In the plot, two documentary filmmakers work on a film about a hardcore conspiracy theorist known as “Terrence G”. Terrence is a controversial figure, the subject of ridicule on the internet. However, he has a large repertoire of conspiracy theories.
However, Terrence G disappears during the film’s production. From that moment on, the two filmmakers are drawn into the world of a powerful secret society.
The post 8 Conspiracy Theory Movies to Drive You Crazy appeared first on Olhar Digital.
Source: Olhar Digital
Rose James is a Gossipify movie and series reviewer known for her in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the latest releases. With a background in film studies, she provides engaging and informative reviews, and keeps readers up to date with industry trends and emerging talents.
