One of the leading directors of the “New Hollywood” generation, Brian De Palma is recognized as one of the greatest directors in the history of American cinema.
Admired by many critics and cinephiles as a genius, he is known for his suspense films that explore voyeurism and eroticism.
His works are characterized by a distinct visual style, often using techniques such as sequence shots, split screen and split focus.
Below, we present a list of Brian De Palma’s 10 greatest films.
Brian de Palma: the 10 best films
The cult erotic thriller “Body Double” makes direct references to Alfred Hitchcock films, such as “Body Double” (1958) and “Rear Window” (1954). Exploring the theme of voyeurism, the cast includes Craig Wasson, Gregg Henry, Melanie Griffith and Deborah Shelton.
The plot follows an unemployed, claustrophobic actor (Wasson) who is offered the job of looking after a luxury apartment in Los Angeles.
There he begins to spy, through a telescope, on the attractive neighbor who habitually dances sensually through the window. However, when she witnesses something terrible happen to her, she becomes embroiled in a web of mysteries.
A box office success, “Dressed to Kill” is an erotic thriller with references to Alfred Hitchcock’s classic “Psycho” (1960). The film stars Michael Caine, Angie Dickinson, Keith Gordon and Nancy Allen.
In the story, a psychopathic killer attacks one of the patients (Dickinson) of a psychiatrist (Caine) and stalks a prostitute (Allen) who witnessed the crime.
Supernatural thriller with horror and science fiction elements, “The Fury” is based on the novel of the same name by John Farris, who also wrote the screenplay. The film stars Kirk Douglas, John Cassavetes, Amy Irving, Carrie Snodgress, Charles Durning and Andrew Stevens.
In the plot, the life of a former government agent (Douglas) takes a turn when his teenage son, gifted with psychokinetic powers (Stevens), is kidnapped.
The Kidnappers are a secret government organization that wants to exploit your abilities. In a desperate attempt to save her son, he asks for help from a young woman (Irving) who also has psychic powers.
Based on the novels “Carlito’s Way” (1975) and “After Hours” (1979) by judge and writer Edwin Torres, “The Final Payment” is a crime film. Considered one of Brian De Palma’s best films, his cult following has grown over the years.
The film stars Al Pacino, who plays Carlito, a gangster who has just been released from prison with the help of his lawyer and friend (Sean Penn). Carlito intends to give up crime, but is unable to escape this life due to his past and external pressures.
Penelope Ann Miller, Luis Guzmán, John Leguizamo, Jorge Porcel, Joseph Siravo and Viggo Mortensen complete the cast.
Considered one of Brian De Palma’s masterpieces, “A shot in the night” is inspired by the film “Blow-Up – After that kiss”, by Michelangelo Antonioni. The film stars John Travolta, Nancy Allen and John Lithgow.
In the plot, Jack (Travolta) is a sound effects technician who witnesses a car accident while recording sounds for a film. The accident kills a presidential candidate and injures a prostitute (Allen), whom Jack saves.
However, reviewing his recordings, Jack discovers the sound of a gunshot before the car went out of control, realizing that the accident could have been a homicide.
Starring Nicolas Cage, “Serpent Eyes” is a thriller appreciated for its technical and visual attention. In the plot, a corrupt detective (Cage) witnesses the murder of a politician in the middle of a boxing match.
The crime, committed by a remote sniper, leads the detective to find himself involved in a complex web of conspiracies as he investigates the case.
Considered by moviegoers and fans of Brian De Palma as one of his best works, “Tragic Obsession” was well received at the box office. Cliff Robertson, Geneviève Bujold and John Lithgow star in the production.
With a plot inspired by Hitchcock’s “The Falling Dead,” the film follows a businessman (Robertson) whose life changes when his wife and daughter are kidnapped and die during a rescue attempt.
However, years later, he meets and falls in love with a young woman who is exactly identical to his late wife (Bujold).
Suspense featuring a character with multiple personalities, “Cain Syndrome”, with John Lithgow in the lead role. In the plot, Carter (Lithgow), an esteemed child psychologist, worries his wife Jenny (Lolita Davidovich) by obsessively studying their daughter.
When Carter discovers that Jenny is cheating on him, one of his multiple personalities comes to the surface: the violent Cain.
Additionally, neighborhood children begin to disappear, leading Jenny to suspect that Carter is reprising the experiments of his late father, a deranged psychologist.
Science fiction and adventure film, “Mission: Mars” features names like Tim Robbins, Gary Sinise, Don Cheadle, Connie Nielsen, Jerry O’Connell and Kim Delaney in the cast. The film was poorly received by critics upon its release, but it is another case of a film that has gained cult status over time.
In the plot, the first manned mission to explore Mars in 2020 fails mysteriously. A rescue mission is sent to bring the survivors back and find out what happened.
A box office failure, “Femme Fatale” is yet another case of a Brian De Palma film that was poorly received by critics upon its release and subsequently became a cult hit.
An erotic thriller, the film stars Antonio Banderas and Rebecca Romijn-Stamos.
In the plot, a former mercenary thief (Romijn-Stamos) restarts her life as an ambassador’s wife after a major coup years ago. However, a photo taken by a paparazzi obsessed with her (Banderas) exposes her new identity to her enemies.
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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.
