For the past few weeks, I’ve been back in Seattle, largely for the Seattle International Film Festival (which has a full week left, so go see some films!) but also of course to see all the wonderful friends that I miss terribly.

Of course, me being me, the topic of movie recommendations has come up numerous times on this trip, both in relation to SIFF and just in general, seeing as how I can’t resist telling people they just HAVE to watch some film or another. Eventually it was suggested that I collect some of recommendations into a more concrete lists for people to reference, and I fell upon this task with a little too much fervor. My initial list was 39 films and still kept growing!

I did discover a theme within that list: films I can’t resist recommending, but are somehow weird or bizarre or extreme - not your run-of-the-mill Hollywood feature. So for my first concrete set of recommendations, it seemed appropriate to explore that theme, as divisive and strange as they may be. Here’s my ‘full disclosure’ comment: I enjoyed ALL of these films. You may not. That is okay. Many of these are really weird, so-called art house films, and those aren’t for everyone. Anyway, fair warning should you decide to make a movie night or two from this list!

Films That are Weird, WTF, and Wildly Satisfying

‘Under the Skin (2013)’

Bizarre and hypnotic, full of Glaswegian accents, and a fantastically enigmatic performance from Scarlett Johansson. The story can’t quite be described without ruining the experience of the film, but it’s about self-discovery for a woman in Scotland. The score by Mica Levi, combined with the excellent sound editing, really heightens the picture.

‘The Neon Demon (2016)’

I would have stills from this film plastered on my walls, it’s so damn beautiful. Another Nicolas Winding Refn film - they’re getting steadily more bizarre, but I’m okay with that. This one is crazy, garish, gorgeous, and ridiculous. Moral of the story - modeling in L.A. requires a strong stomach!

‘Brigsby Bear (2017)’

I talked about this movie on my blog back when I first saw it at SIFF two years ago, and my feelings haven’t changed. Since it is a movie about a guy who is obsessed with a children’s TV show that it turns out was made just for him, the film’s set-up falls into the ‘weird’ category… but it is really just so pure of heart and lovely that you can’t help loving it. Well, at least I couldn’t.

‘When Marnie Was There (2014)’

This is a truly beautiful film from Studio Ghibli, with a lovely - if a little strange - story. But really, strange kind of comes with the territory on these films. The animation is truly top notch, of course, and the music is fantastic. (I especially recommend this if you liked 2016’s ‘Your Name’.)

‘You Were Never Really Here (2017)’

A brutal, fantastic film that will knock you off balance and have you doubting what is real. Lynne Ramsay doesn’t waste a frame here - she has told exactly the story she wants to tell, in an incredibly effective way. It’s a brilliant performance from Joaquin Phoenix. (It’s also super violent, so if you’re put off by that… read the parental guide first.)

‘Picnic at Hanging Rock (1975)’

I first waxed poetic about this film on my blog during my 365 film project. I won’t repeat all of that here, but this is the type of film I would want to make if I made films. It’s gauzy, dreamlike, sensually hypnotic, and fantastically shot. As I said back then, I want to put it on a loop and float in an diffused dream state for a while.

‘Solaris (1971)’

Let me first confirm that this is not, I repeat NOT, the George Clooney remake. No no. This is the nearly three-hour, fantastically weird, wonderful, artistic, and mind-bending original by Tarkovsky. It’s sci-fi, and yet it’s also more than just that, it’s a great example of effective slow cinema, and how sometimes film can be an experience, not just entertainment.

‘mother! (2017)’

My review of ‘mother!’ is already up on this blog, and I stand by it - I absolutely love this film. It turned out to be very divisive, which somehow makes me love it more. It is stunningly shot, and Jennifer Lawrence gives one hell of a performance.

‘First Reformed (2017)’

For more words on this film, check out my review from when I saw it at SIFF last year. But honestly, this is the performance of a career for Ethan Hawke. And it’s yet another visually stunning film on this list - every shot is gorgeous.

‘Liza the Fox-Fairy (2015)’

I feel like the best way to promote this wonderfully funny, bizarre film is just to provide you with the IMDb blurb: “Liza is a nurse, seeking love. Her only company is a long-dead Japanese pop star, who turns her into a fox-fairy out of jealousy. Now, every man who desires Liza shall die horribly. Can she overcome the curse?”

‘Pig (2018)’

This was another SIFF discovery - I’ve now seen two of director Mani Haghighi’s films and very much enjoyed them both. He makes vibrant films with a touch of the bizarre, both visually satisfying and entertaining. ‘Pig’ is bitingly funny and strange, with touches of meta-comedy and narcissism amidst the serial murdering.

‘The One I Love (2014)’

I’m really not sure how I discovered this film, but I do remember the impression it left - it’s another film that causes you to doubt what is real and what isn’t on screen. It’s a strange story about a couple whose relationship needs a bit of help… but their therapeutic getaway turns bizarre.

‘Mulholland Drive (2001)’

One of the classic ‘wtf is happening’ directors, David Lynch knocks this one out of the park with visual style and a twisting, dreamlike narrative. You can watch this as many times as you want, you’ll still never be sure you understand what it all means. But it is absolutely worth the ride.

‘Revenge (2017)’

This is another film that I saw last year at SIFF and immediately reviewed on the blog, and started recommending to everyone - it’s the most beautiful, artistic, blood-filled grindhouse film in existence.

‘Heathers (1988)’

Now this is an absolute classic. Who knew that high school cliques could be so dangerous? It’s basically ‘Mean Girls’ if there was a body count. Young Winona Ryder and Christian Slater are just bonuses. This film is a jet-black cult comedy that is eternally quotable and watchable.

For more information about these movies, I’ve made a list over on IMDb!