M. Night Shyamalan's breakthrough film, The Sixth Sense, is a supernatural thriller that became famous for its iconic twist ending. Bruce Willis plays a child psychologist helping a young boy who claims to see dead people. The film builds a quiet, eerie atmosphere and focuses on the emotional journey of its characters. While perhaps less overtly complex than some other films on this list, its famous revelation undeniably shifts the audience's perception of everything they've seen, making it a classic example of a cinematic rug-pull.

Park Chan-wook's Oldboy is a brutal and stylish South Korean thriller that is part of his acclaimed Vengeance Trilogy. The story follows a man who is inexplicably imprisoned for 15 years and then just as suddenly released, setting out to find his captor and understand why. The film is known for its shocking twists, intense violence, and complex exploration of vengeance and consequences. It's a dark, captivating, and ultimately tragic tale that will leave you stunned.

Christian Bale underwent a shocking physical transformation for his role in The Machinist, playing a factory worker suffering from extreme insomnia and paranoia. The film is a descent into psychological horror, where the protagonist's exhaustion and guilt manifest in increasingly disturbing ways. The line between what is real and what is hallucination is constantly blurred, pulling the audience into his fragmented state of mind. It's a grim, atmospheric film that explores the devastating effects of guilt and sleep deprivation.

Darren Aronofsky's Black Swan is a psychological horror film that delves into the intense pressure and rivalry within the world of professional ballet. Natalie Portman gives an Oscar-winning performance as a dancer striving for perfection, whose grip on reality begins to slip as she prepares for the demanding dual role in Swan Lake. The film masterfully blurs the lines between performance and reality, sanity and madness, creating a suffocating and unsettling atmosphere. It's a visceral exploration of ambition, identity, and the destructive pursuit of artistic perfection.

Martin Scorsese takes us into the labyrinthine corridors of a remote asylum for the criminally insane in Shutter Island. Leonardo DiCaprio plays a U.S. Marshal investigating the disappearance of a patient, but the island and its inhabitants seem determined to keep their secrets. The film is steeped in atmosphere and paranoia, blurring the lines between reality and delusion. As the Marshal digs deeper, his own grip on reality begins to fray, leading to a psychological thriller that keeps you guessing until the final moments. It's a visually stunning and deeply unsettling experience.

Step into a simulated reality with The Matrix. This sci-fi action landmark from the Wachowskis exploded onto the scene with its groundbreaking visual effects and philosophical themes. Keanu Reeves stars as Neo, a computer programmer who discovers that the world he knows is a lie, a prison built by sentient machines. The film blends cyberpunk aesthetics, martial arts action, and existential questions about reality, consciousness, and control. It's a film that not only entertained but also influenced pop culture and sparked discussions about technology and perception that are still relevant today.

Donnie Darko is a cult classic that blends science fiction, psychological drama, and suburban angst into something truly unique. Richard Kelly's directorial debut follows a troubled teenager who sees visions of a giant rabbit named Frank who tells him the world is ending. The film delves into themes of destiny, free will, and the nature of reality with a haunting atmosphere and a killer soundtrack. Jake Gyllenhaal's performance is captivating, capturing the alienation and confusion of adolescence. It's a film that leaves plenty of room for interpretation and has spawned countless theories among its dedicated fanbase.

Fight Club is more than just a movie about an underground boxing ring; it's a blistering critique of consumer culture, masculinity, and identity in the late 20th century. David Fincher's stylish direction and Chuck Palahniuk's subversive source material combine to create a chaotic, darkly comedic, and thought-provoking experience. Edward Norton and Brad Pitt deliver iconic performances as the Narrator and the enigmatic Tyler Durden. The film's exploration of dissociation and rebellion builds to a twist that redefined cinematic reveals for a generation. It's a film that sparks conversation and stays with you long after the credits roll.

How do you solve a mystery when you can't form new memories? That's the central premise of Christopher Nolan's early masterpiece, Memento. Told in a fragmented, reverse-chronological order (interspersed with black-and-white scenes moving forward), the film forces the audience to experience the protagonist's condition firsthand. Guy Pearce delivers a compelling performance as the man trying to piece together who murdered his wife using notes, tattoos, and polaroid photos. It's a masterclass in narrative structure that keeps you constantly guessing and re-evaluating what you think you know.

Michel Gondry and Charlie Kaufman team up for the incredibly unique and emotionally resonant Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. What if you could literally erase someone from your memory? This film explores that fascinating premise with a non-linear structure that mirrors the fragmented nature of memory itself. Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet give deeply affecting performances as a couple navigating the painful process of forgetting each other. It's a beautiful, melancholic, and ultimately hopeful look at relationships, loss, and the messy, imperfect beauty of human connection. The way the film plays with time and perception is truly ingenious.

Christopher Nolan takes us on a breathtaking journey into the architecture of the mind with Inception. This film isn't just about entering dreams; it's about manipulating them, stealing secrets, and even planting ideas (inception!). The concept of layers within layers of consciousness is visually stunning and intellectually stimulating. The action sequences are innovative, blending reality and dream logic seamlessly. With a stellar cast led by Leonardo DiCaprio and a score by Hans Zimmer that is instantly iconic, Inception is a blockbuster that doesn't shy away from complex ideas, leaving you questioning the very nature of reality.

Prepare to have your brain circuits overloaded with Primer. This is not your typical time-travel flick. Shane Carruth's micro-budget masterpiece is renowned for its scientific accuracy (relative to fiction, of course!) and incredibly complex narrative structure. You'll likely need a whiteboard and several rewatches to even begin to grasp the intricate timelines and paradoxes at play. It's a film that respects its audience's intelligence and demands your full attention. If you love hard sci-fi that makes you think harder than you ever have in a cinema seat, Primer is the ultimate challenge.

If you're looking for a film to truly sink your teeth into and debate for years, look no further than David Lynch's Mulholland Drive. What starts as a seemingly straightforward Hollywood story quickly unravels into a dreamlike, surreal labyrinth that defies easy explanation. Lynch masterfully weaves together disparate threads, leaving viewers to piece together reality, illusion, and desire. It's a cinematic puzzle box that rewards multiple viewings and fuels endless interpretation. Naomi Watts delivers a stunning dual performance that is nothing short of captivating. Get ready for a journey into the subconscious that will leave your head spinning.