10 Must-Watch Movies Featuring Devious Manipulators

Written By:

Written By:

Great Psychological Manipulation Movies Ft. Devious Characters

It’s no secret that audiences can’t get enough of movie manipulators. Whether it’s slick con artists, smooth talkers, or backstabbing schemers, these characters always find a way to grab our attention. From the trickster gods of ancient myths to Shakespeare’s cunning villains, and more recently characters like Remy Dalton from Game of Thrones or Frank Underwood in House of Cards, audience both loves and loathes these clever, morally questionable characters.

So, today we’ll discuss some great psychological manipulation movies that feature some devious and dark characters.

10 Must-Watch Psychological Manipulation Movies with Dark Characters

There’s something irresistible about watching someone charm, cheat, or plot their way to the top – especially when it’s at the expense of everyone else. While these characters might give you trust issues in real life, they make for some of the most gripping stories on screen.

This list won’t save you from falling for a con artist or help you dodge a shady pyramid scheme, but it will give you ten juicy films where manipulators take center stage. From charming criminals to cutthroat liars, these movies put the “art” in “con artist.”

The Talented Mr. Ripley

psychological manipulation movies
10 Great Psychological Manipulation Movies

IMDB Rating: 7.4/10
Release Date: 12 December 1999
Director: Anthony Minghella

Tom Ripley is that charming guy you want to trust but know deep down is hiding a darker side. Sent to Italy to retrieve a rich man’s son, Tom decides he’d rather steal his life instead. Matt Damon’s performance is disarmingly charming, making it impossible not to root for this sociopath as he lies, schemes, and kills to maintain his cover.

As he becomes more unhinged, the tension builds and you’re left wondering just how far he’ll go to protect his new life. The Talented Mr. Ripley isn’t just a movie; it’s a chilling lesson in manipulation. You’ll be gripping the edge of your seat as Ripley weaves his web of lies, all while wearing that innocent, “who, me?” smile. Classic manipulative protagonist move.

Dangerous Liaisons

psychological manipulation movies
10 Great Psychological Manipulation Movies

IMDB Rating: 7.5/10
Release Date: 1 January 1988
Director: Stephen Frears

Set in 18th-century France, this is the OG drama about manipulative characters in movies. Glenn Close’s Marquise de Merteuil and John Malkovich’s Vicomte de Valmont are a duo of schemers who conspire to ruin lives and play people like puppets for their own amusement. Their twisted games of seduction and betrayal will have you gasping, laughing, and maybe even questioning your own moral compass.

The best part? There’s zero shame in their game. They’re not just manipulating others—they’re manipulating each other, and the twisty betrayals keep you guessing. If you love movies about manipulation and psychology, Dangerous Liaisons is a masterclass in how to be absolutely terrible and still look flawless doing it.

Read More: Netflix And Narcissism: 16 Best Movies About Narcissists On Netflix

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest

psychological manipulation movies
10 Great Psychological Manipulation Movies

IMDB Rating: 8.7/10
Release Date: 19 November 1975
Director: Miloš Forman

In One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, the psychological manipulation comes at you from all angles. Nurse Ratched (Louise Fletcher) isn’t just a strict nurse—she’s a master of control, subtly tormenting everyone under her care. Jack Nicholson’s character, Randle McMurphy, thinks he can outwit her with charm and rebellion, but he soon learns that the mind games in this mental institution are far more twisted than he imagined. If you’re looking for movies with manipulative protagonists, McMurphy’s mix of defiance and manipulation keeps the story gripping from start to finish.

But don’t get too comfortable. Nurse Ratched’s slow, calculated approach to breaking him down is a lesson in psychological warfare. And spoiler: it doesn’t always go the way you expect. One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest is one of those movies about psychological manipulation that you can’t watch just once, because there’s always something new to discover in how they pull each other’s strings. It’s raw, unsettling, and unforgettable.

Cruel Intentions

psychological manipulation movies
10 Great Psychological Manipulation Movies

IMDB Rating: 6.8/10
Release Date: 5 March 1999
Director: Roger Kumble

This modern-day Dangerous Liaisons amps up the drama with teenage angst and 90s glamour. The plot is simple: two privileged teens, Kathryn (played by Sarah Michelle Gellar) and Sebastian (Ryan Phillippe), decide to use people as pawns in their twisted games.

Kathryn’s manipulative personality shines through, and her ability to manipulate everyone around her is both terrifying and thrilling. It’s a rollercoaster of betrayal, lies, and a shocking finale that cements Kathryn as one of the most manipulative characters in movies. The plot is so juicy and twisted that it will keep you hooked till the end. If you love movies about manipulation and psychology, this one will have you questioning just how far people will go for love—and revenge.

Side Effects

psychological manipulation movies
10 Great Psychological Manipulation Movies

IMDB Rating: 7.1/10
Release Date: 8 February 2013 
Director: Steven Soderbergh

In Side Effects, psychological manipulation takes on a more subtle and sinister tone. At first, it’s all about Emily, who gets caught up in a complex web of lies and mind games involving her therapist, her husband, and, of course, her own mind. But as the film unravels, you’ll realize that everyone in this film is hiding something. The real question? Who’s manipulating whom.

Rooney Mara plays a character who seems like an innocent victim at first, but the deeper you go, the more you see the cracks in her façade. This thriller will have you questioning everyone’s motives, because in movies about manipulation and psychology, no one is as innocent as they seem. Prepare for a twisty, unpredictable ride that you won’t see coming.

Ace in the Hold

psychological manipulation movies
10 Great Psychological Manipulation Movies

IMDB Rating: 8.1/10
Release Date: 29 June 1951
Director: Billy Wilder

Kirk Douglas plays a journalist so ambitious that he’ll manipulate a disaster into a career-making opportunity. Ace in the Hole is the perfect example of how psychological manipulation isn’t just about people—it’s about using situations for your own gain. In this classic noir, a tragedy becomes a goldmine for a reporter who feeds off the suffering of others. Charming? No. Entertaining? Oh, absolutely.

Douglas’s character doesn’t care who he destroys to get ahead, and that’s what makes this movie such a thrilling ride. The dark side of media manipulation comes alive in this film, and it’ll leave you thinking twice about the next headline you read. A manipulative protagonist who’d sell his soul for a story? Classic noir.

Read More: 10 Old-School Period Romance Movies To Escape To Another Era

Strangers On a Train

psychological manipulation movies
10 Great Psychological Manipulation Movies

IMDB Rating: 7.9/10
Release Date: 30 June 1951
Director: Alfred Hitchcock

Hitchcock’s Strangers on a Train isn’t just a tale of two strangers meeting—it’s a mind game with deadly consequences. One man proposes a simple exchange: murder someone for him, and he’ll do the same for you. Sound like a fair deal? Yeah, not so much. The psychological manipulation in this film is both slick and sinister, with each twist making you question just how far one person will go to get what they want.

The real fun begins when one of the men takes things too far, using the agreement to manipulate the other into a corner. The suspense builds as the manipulation plays out in the most unexpected ways. If you like movies about manipulation and psychology with a Hitchcockian touch, this one will keep you on the edge of your seat.

There Will Be Blood

psychological manipulation movies
10 Great Psychological Manipulation Movies

IMDB Rating: 7.9/10
Release Date: 26 December 2007
Director: Paul Thomas Anderson

Daniel Day-Lewis delivers one of the most iconic manipulative protagonists in cinema history as Daniel Plainview in There Will Be Blood. This is not just a story of oil; it’s about raw, unrelenting ambition and the manipulation that comes with it. Plainview uses every trick in the book—deceit, charm, threats—to get what he wants. Watching him manipulate everyone in his path is a masterclass in psychological manipulation, and Day-Lewis makes it all feel both terrifying and mesmerizing.

What makes There Will Be Blood so unsettling is how Plainview’s manipulation becomes more desperate as he spirals further into madness. His journey from a self-made man to a broken, paranoid individual is as fascinating as it is tragic. It’s one of those movies about manipulation and psychology that’s as brutal as it is brilliant. If you’re into watching a character unravel through his own manipulative tendencies, this film will leave you speechless.

Whiplash

psychological manipulation movies
10 Great Psychological Manipulation Movies

IMDB Rating: 8.5/10
Release Date: 16 January 2014
Director: Damien Chazelle

If you thought Whiplash was just about drumming, think again. It’s one of the most intense psychological manipulation movies you’ll ever see. Miles Teller plays Andrew, a young, talented drummer pushed to his limits by his tyrannical instructor, played by J.K. Simmons. This movie shows how far someone will go to break you down in the name of greatness. It’s psychological abuse at its finest, and you can’t help but watch in awe as these characters manipulate each other with every note.

What makes Whiplash so gripping is how it exposes the dark side of ambition. Fletcher’s manipulative ways aren’t just about cruelty; they’re about control and power. He pushes Andrew to the brink of insanity, convincing him that the only way to achieve greatness is through suffering. The film doesn’t just leave you with a good beat—it leaves you thinking about the cost of manipulation and what it takes to truly break someone. It’s one of the best psychological manipulation movies out there.

Gone Girl

psychological manipulation movies
10 Great Psychological Manipulation Movies

IMDB Rating: 8.1/10
Release Date: 10 October 2014
Director: David Fincher

Gone Girl is the perfect storm of psychological manipulation, featuring the ultimate manipulative character: Amy Dunne (Rosamund Pike). Amy fakes her own disappearance, setting her husband Nick (Ben Affleck) up for a crime he didn’t commit. But let’s be real—Amy is a master at manipulating the media, the police, and everyone around her to control the narrative. This is not your average “missing wife” story; it’s a sick, twisted game where Amy pulls every string, and you can’t help but admire her craft.

The psychological games here are next-level, and the plot keeps twisting in ways you never saw coming. Gone Girl is full of surprises, and Amy’s manipulations make you question just how much you think you know about someone. The movie explores the dark side of marriage, media manipulation, and how easily perceptions can be swayed. If you love movies about manipulation and psychology, Gone Girl is your ultimate thrill ride.

Read More: 15+ Highly Conceptual Movies Meant Only For The Smart Ones

If you’re a fan of psychological manipulation movies, these 10 picks are an absolute must-watch. Let us know your favorite in the comments below!

movies about manipulation and psychology

— Share —

Published On:

Last updated on:

— About the Author —

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Up Next

6 Thinking Styles For Becoming Unstoppable (And Stress-Free!)

Helpful Thinking Styles For Becoming Unstoppable

The way we think influences how we feel, how we handle challenges, and ultimately, how we live our life. Some unhelpful thinking styles create stress, while others help us stay grounded and change our life.

Your thinking style is a powerful tool, it shapes how you process information, make decisions, and solve problems. Since our thoughts shape our reality, adopting the right mindset can be life-changing.

Take a look at six helpful thinking styles that can help you transform into a rel

Up Next

The Psychology of Emotional Shopping

Psychology of Emotional Shopping: Important Ways To Tackle

You often buy things to lift your mood, but have you ever wondered why? Emotional shopping is more psychological than practical. So let’s learn more about it!

How to tackle a tendency toward emotional shopping.

In a globalized market, we are daily faced with a great variety of products and services that are meticulously planned and proficiently marketed to us, having an emotional influence on our brain centres and activating a desire to acquire them.

All of us want to experience the thrill of intense positive emotions that will raise the generation of our happy hormones which will eventually ensure the experience of such positive emotions as excitement, happiness, joy, glee, delight, hilarity, or amusement.

Up Next

Understanding Phobias: Serious Struggles, Not for Mockery

Understanding Phobias Types And Clear Solutions For It

Have you ever felt an intense fear of something others find harmless? Understanding phobias and why they shouldn’t be taken lightly. Let’s explore!

Phobias are real mental health conditions deserving empathy and care.

Key points

Phobias are intense, irrational fears that disrupt lives and are serious mental health conditions.

Mocking phobias worsens isolation and discourages sufferers from seeking professional help.

Phobias are treatable through therapies like CBT and exposure, emphasising empathy and support.

Phobias are often dismissed as quirky or humorous, b

Up Next

15 Ways To Completely Transform Your Personality Using Psychology

How To Improve Your Personality? Best Psychology Hacks!

Does the thought of speaking up in a meeting make your heart race? Or do you avoid social events because you’re scared of being the center of attention? Many of us lack confidence so if you’re wondering “how to improve your personality?” Then, below are 15 ways to improve your personality with the help of psychology!

But Can You Change Your Personality Traits?

The answer to this question is a big “YES”!  Lack of confidence and fear of public speaking are hurdles that feel insurmountable, especially in this era that is constantly out there. You don’t have to stay stuck and don’t know how to express your true self.

<

Up Next

20+ Psychology Tricks To Read Anyone Like A Book

Exciting Psychology Tricks To Read Minds And People

Have you ever wished you could understand what someone is really thinking or feeling? Learning psychology tricks to read minds can make it seem like you’ve unlocked a secret superpower.

Whether it’s picking up on subtle body language cues, deciphering hidden emotions, or interpreting what’s left unsaid, reading people can help you connect better and navigate social situations with ease.

By mastering simple psychological tricks to read minds, you’ll improve your ability to gauge intent, uncover motivations, and even spot when someone isn’t being truthful.

Read More Here:

Up Next

Color Psychology: How Colors Influence Your Choices and Feelings

What Is Color Psychology? Weird Ways It Influences Mood

Have you ever noticed how certain colors make you feel a certain way? Maybe you feel calm when you’re surrounded by blue or energized by the color red. This isn’t just a coincidence—there’s a whole science behind it called color psychology.

In fact, the colors around you can influence everything from your mood to the decisions you make, often without you even realizing it. Let’s dive into how this works and how colors influence mood and emotions.

Up Next

The Role Of ‘Resilient Mindset’ In Healing

Resilient Mindset The Healing Power Of A Positive Mindset

Does having a positive, resilient mindset support healing? Discover how hope, and balanced optimism might influence the body’s natural ability to heal!

Can we influence our body’s ability to heal through cellular communication?

Key points

It’s important to strike the right balance of optimism, hope, belief, and realism.

A hopeful, resilient mindset could promote positive changes at the cellular level and boost healing.

There are cases of people who have been given a fatal prognosis and changed their outcome using mindset.