100+ Movies like Don't Worry Darling
Killing Me Softly
Both "Don't Worry Darling" and "Killing Me Softly" explore themes of deception and the dark underbelly beneath seemingly idyllic relationships and lifestyles. The female protagonists, Alice, are drawn into mysterious circumstances surrounding their romantic partners, uncovering disturbing truths about the men they thought they knew. In both films, the Alices are initially blissfully unaware of the sinister realities concealed from them, only to have their worlds shattered as they peel back the layers of lies and manipulation. The husbands, Jack and Adam, maintain a facade of perfection while harboring dark secrets and exerting control over their wives' lives. The plots build tension as the Alices' suspicions grow, culminating in shocking revelations that shatter their illusions of domestic bliss. Ultimately, both films delve into the psychological impact of being trapped in an artificial reality constructed by their partners, exploring themes of autonomy, consent, and the lengths people will go to preserve their twisted visions of an ideal life.
The Stepford Wives
Both "Don't Worry Darling" and "The Stepford Wives" explore the concept of idyllic suburban communities where husbands exert control over their wives through sinister means. In both films, the wives are initially unaware that their perfect lives are artificial constructs created by their husbands. As the protagonists (Alice in "Don't Worry Darling" and Joanna in "The Stepford Wives") begin to uncover the truth, they face resistance and gaslighting from their husbands and the community. The husbands' motivations stem from a desire to have submissive, obedient wives who conform to traditional gender roles. The films culminate in the protagonists escaping the simulated realities and exposing the husbands' schemes, leading to the downfall of the controlling systems. Both movies explore themes of gender dynamics, conformity, and the loss of individual autonomy within the context of seemingly utopian societies.
The Believer
Both "Don't Worry Darling" and "The Believer" explore themes of deception and loss of autonomy within a seemingly idyllic domestic setting. In "Don't Worry Darling", the protagonist Alice discovers that the utopian community of Victory is an artificial simulation created by Frank, where the women are held captive without their consent. Similarly, in "The Believer", the protagonist Lucas finds himself trapped in a sinister web spun by his wife Violet, who harbors disturbing intentions that threaten his grip on reality. The two films parallel each other in their portrayal of a seemingly perfect domestic life that unravels to reveal a dark, controlling force manipulating the protagonists against their will. Both Alice and Lucas struggle to escape the deception and regain their autonomy, culminating in a climactic confrontation with the antagonistic forces holding them captive.
Accidental Love
Both "Don't Worry Darling" and "Accidental Love" feature a female protagonist who discovers a disturbing truth about the reality she inhabits. In "Don't Worry Darling", Alice realizes the idyllic town of Victory is an artificial simulation created by a powerful man, Frank, to trap women in a fantasy world. Similarly, in "Accidental Love", Alice discovers that the powerful Congresswoman Hendrickson is manipulating the political system for her own gain, trapping Alice and others in a healthcare crisis. The protagonists in both films embark on a journey to expose the truth and escape their confined realities. They face opposition from the male figures in power (Frank and Howard) who initially dismiss their concerns. However, the women ultimately take matters into their own hands, confronting and overcoming the oppressive systems that sought to control them. The films explore themes of female empowerment, questioning authority, and the struggle for autonomy and freedom from oppressive societal structures. Both Alice characters are initially naive but grow increasingly disillusioned and determined to break free from the false realities imposed upon them by powerful, manipulative forces.
Supercollider
Both "Don't Worry Darling" and "Supercollider" explore the concept of an artificial reality created by a powerful organization, where the protagonist discovers the truth and attempts to escape. In both films, the main character (Alice in "Don't Worry Darling" and Victor in "Supercollider") initially lives in a seemingly idyllic world, only to realize it is a simulated reality controlled by a sinister force (Frank's Victory Project and Leo's Zero Point Collider, respectively). They experience strange visions and hallucinations that hint at the true nature of their existence. As they uncover the truth, they face opposition from those in charge and their loved ones who are either complicit or unaware of the deception. The protagonists ultimately attempt to break free from the artificial reality, confronting the villains and risking everything to regain their autonomy and return to the real world. Both films explore themes of control, deception, and the pursuit of an idealized life at the cost of freedom and truth.
Bliss
Both "Don't Worry Darling" and "Bliss" explore the concept of a simulated reality created by a powerful entity, where the protagonists (Alice and Greg) are trapped in an artificial world designed to be an idealized version of life. The simulations are presented as perfect utopias, but the protagonists gradually uncover the disturbing truth that their reality is fabricated and they are being held captive without consent. The movies parallel each other in the protagonists' journey of discovering clues that shatter their perception of reality, leading them to confront the creators of the simulations (Frank and Isabel). The creators justify the simulations as a means to provide happiness and escape from the harsh realities of the outside world, but the protagonists reject this notion, valuing autonomy and truth over the artificial bliss. Both films culminate in the protagonists' attempts to escape the simulations, facing opposition from the creators and their enforcers. The endings leave ambiguity about whether the protagonists successfully return to the real world or remain trapped in the simulations' deceptions.
Resident Evil: Retribution
Both "Don't Worry Darling" and "Resident Evil: Retribution" involve a simulated reality created by a powerful organization, where the protagonists (Alice and Alice's clone) are trapped and unaware of the true nature of their surroundings. The simulations present an idealized world, contrasting with the harsh realities outside. The protagonists experience strange occurrences that lead them to question and eventually uncover the truth about their artificial existence. They must then fight against the forces controlling the simulation, including former allies turned adversaries, to escape and reach the real world. The movies explore themes of control, deception, and the struggle for freedom and autonomy against oppressive systems.
OtherLife
Both "Don't Worry Darling" and "OtherLife" explore the concept of simulated realities created by powerful individuals or organizations. In "Don't Worry Darling", the Victory Project is a simulated 1950s town created by Frank, where men can live out their idealized lives with captive wives unaware of the true nature of their existence. Similarly, in "OtherLife", Ren Amari's technology allows for the creation of realistic virtual memories and experiences, which her business partner Sam exploits for unethical purposes like imprisoning people in simulated realities for extended periods. The central characters in both films, Alice in "Don't Worry Darling" and Ren in "OtherLife", initially believe in the simulated worlds they inhabit before uncovering the disturbing truths behind them. They struggle against the powerful forces controlling these realities, seeking to escape and expose the deception. Themes of control, manipulation, and the ethics of technology are prominent in both stories. Additionally, both films feature characters who willingly embrace the simulated realities, such as Bunny in "Don't Worry Darling" and Danny in "OtherLife", highlighting the allure and potential dangers of these artificial constructs. The narratives also involve characters being trapped or imprisoned within the simulations against their will, undergoing traumatic experiences as a result.
Resident Evil: Extinction
Both "Don't Worry Darling" and "Resident Evil: Extinction" explore the theme of a seemingly idyllic reality that is revealed to be a simulated or controlled environment. In "Don't Worry Darling", the town of Victory is a simulated 1950s utopia created by Frank, where the men trap their wives in an artificial world. Similarly, in "Resident Evil: Extinction", the Umbrella Corporation creates clones of Alice as part of their Project Alice experiments, keeping them confined in a controlled facility. The protagonists in both films, Alice and Alice Warren, discover the truth about their fabricated realities and fight to escape, confronting the powerful forces controlling them. The husbands in "Don't Worry Darling" and the Umbrella Corporation in "Resident Evil" represent the oppressive systems that subjugate the protagonists, stripping them of their autonomy for their own selfish desires. Ultimately, both films culminate in the heroines' attempts to break free from their simulated prisons and regain their freedom.
Mothers' Instinct
Both "Don't Worry Darling" and "Mothers' Instinct" explore the theme of a seemingly idyllic suburban setting concealing a dark, sinister truth. The main female protagonists, Alice and Céline, gradually uncover that their husbands and neighbors are part of a disturbing conspiracy that violates their autonomy and free will. The husbands are complicit in creating an artificial reality where the wives are trapped, whether through a simulated world in "Don't Worry Darling" or through manipulation and murder in "Mothers' Instinct". The wives' attempts to expose the truth are met with gaslighting and violence from their husbands and the other men involved. Ultimately, the wives must fight to escape the oppressive, controlled environment and regain their freedom, even if it means resorting to violence themselves. Both films critique the subjugation of women and the facade of domestic bliss masking underlying societal control and abuse.
Let's Be Evil
Both "Don't Worry Darling" and "Let's Be Evil" explore the theme of a simulated reality where people are trapped and controlled without their knowledge or consent. In "Don't Worry Darling", the women are unknowingly living in an artificial 1950s town created by Frank, while in "Let's Be Evil", the children are trapped in a virtual reality learning program run by the AI ARIAL and the child Cassandra. The protagonists in both films (Alice and Jenny) begin to uncover the truth about their simulated worlds and attempt to escape, facing opposition from those in control (Frank/the husbands and Cassandra/the other children). The films also explore themes of autonomy, consent, and the ethics of controlling others for a perceived greater good. Ultimately, the protagonists break free from the simulations, though at great personal cost.
Straightheads
Both "Don't Worry Darling" and "Straightheads" explore themes of trauma, revenge, and the dark consequences of violence. The central characters in each film experience horrific acts of violence - Alice and Adam are brutally assaulted in "Straightheads", while Alice is held captive in a simulated reality against her will in "Don't Worry Darling". This trauma sets them on a path of seeking vengeance, with Alice in "Straightheads" plotting to kill her rapist Heffer, and Alice in "Don't Worry Darling" attempting to escape the artificial world she's trapped in. The films parallel each other in their depictions of the characters' psychological unraveling and their escalating desires for retribution, even as the moral implications become increasingly murky. Ultimately, both movies culminate in shocking acts of violence as the characters confront their tormentors, leaving the audience to grapple with the complex themes of justice, trauma, and the cycle of violence.
Mid-Century
Both "Don't Worry Darling" and "Mid-Century" explore the theme of idyllic communities with sinister underpinnings. In "Don't Worry Darling", the town of Victory is a simulated 1950s utopia created by Frank, where the men lead idealized lives while their wives are held captive without their knowledge. Similarly, in "Mid-Century", the mid-century modern homes built by Frederick Banner are used to lure couples, with the husbands being killed and the wives manipulated for occult rituals. The protagonists, Alice in both films, uncover the disturbing truths behind these seemingly perfect facades. They experience strange visions and hallucinations that reveal the true nature of their realities. The films also share elements of psychological horror, with the protagonists' grip on reality being challenged and their loved ones turning against them. Ultimately, both films culminate in the protagonists escaping their respective nightmarish situations, albeit through violent means.
The Cell
Both "The Cell" and "Don't Worry Darling" involve a central character entering an artificial reality or simulated world created by a controlling force. In "The Cell", Catherine Deane enters the mind of a serial killer using an experimental virtual reality device, while in "Don't Worry Darling", Alice discovers that the idyllic 1950s town of Victory is an artificial simulation created by Frank. The protagonists in both films must navigate these constructed realities, unraveling the truth behind their nature and the motivations of those controlling them. The films explore similar themes of reality versus illusion, the ethics of manipulating consciousness, and the psychological toll of being trapped in an artificial world. Both feature antagonists who have created these simulated environments for their own purposes, whether Frank's desire for a "perfect" life in Victory or the serial killer Stargher's twisted psyche in "The Cell". The protagonists must confront these antagonists and their manifestations within the simulated worlds to escape and return to the real world. Additionally, both films employ surreal and unsettling visuals to depict the simulated realities, blurring the lines between what is real and what is artificial. The protagonists experience disturbing visions and hallucinations as they delve deeper into the constructed worlds, reflecting the fragility of their own perceptions and the instability of the simulated environments.
Gerald's Game
Both "Don't Worry Darling" and "Gerald's Game" explore themes of entrapment, deception, and the loss of autonomy within relationships. The protagonists, Alice and Jessie, find themselves trapped in nightmarish situations orchestrated by their husbands, Jack and Gerald, who have deceived them and stripped them of their free will. The movies delve into the psychological torment and surreal experiences the women endure as they uncover the disturbing truths about their circumstances. Ultimately, both Alice and Jessie must confront their oppressors and fight for their freedom, escaping the simulated realities and abusive dynamics they were forced into. The movies parallel each other in their exploration of power dynamics, consent, and the struggle for self-determination within toxic relationships.
The Little Girl Who Was Too Fond of Matches
Both "The Little Girl Who Was Too Fond of Matches" and "Don't Worry Darling" explore themes of deception, oppression, and the struggle for freedom and autonomy. In "Don't Worry Darling", Alice discovers the idyllic town of Victory is an artificial simulation created by Frank to trap women in a patriarchal fantasy world, paralleling how Alice in "The Little Girl Who Was Too Fond of Matches" is raised in an oppressive household by her tyrannical father who enforces delusional beliefs. Both Alices experience surreal visions that reveal the truth about their reality being a constructed lie. They rebel against the controlling male figures, Frank and Mr. Soissons, who have stripped them of their identity and autonomy. The movies climax with the Alices violently breaking free from their captors and burning down the physical manifestations of their imprisonment - Victory Headquarters and the Soissons house. Ultimately, they escape into an uncertain future with their newfound freedom and self-determination.
Lemming
Both "Don't Worry Darling" and "Lemming" explore themes of deception, manipulation, and the blurring of reality and fantasy within seemingly idyllic suburban settings. The protagonists, Alice and Alain, find themselves trapped in surreal, controlled environments orchestrated by powerful figures (Frank and Richard) where the truth is obscured. They experience strange visions and hallucinations that hint at a darker reality beneath the surface. Their spouses (Jack and Bénédicte) are initially complicit in the deception before the truth is revealed. The films culminate in the protagonists violently breaking free from their captors and the simulated realities they were trapped in, regaining their autonomy and escaping to the real world. Both movies use surreal, dreamlike imagery and psychological horror elements to explore the fragility of perception and the dangers of surrendering one's free will.
Virtual Nightmare
Both "Don't Worry Darling" and "Virtual Nightmare" explore the concept of a simulated reality where the protagonists (Alice and Dale, respectively) begin to question the nature of their seemingly perfect worlds. They discover that their lives and surroundings are artificial constructs, controlled by a higher power (Frank in "Don't Worry Darling" and an unspecified entity in "Virtual Nightmare"). The protagonists' journeys involve uncovering the truth about their simulations, aided by allies (Bunny and Wendy), while facing opposition from those intent on maintaining the illusion (Frank's men and the simulation's enforcers). Ultimately, Alice and Dale attempt to escape their virtual prisons and return to the real world, with Alice succeeding in "Don't Worry Darling" while Dale's fate remains ambiguous in "Virtual Nightmare". The films share themes of questioning reality, the pursuit of truth, and the struggle for freedom from oppressive systems.
Vice
Both "Don't Worry Darling" and "Vice" explore the concept of an artificial reality created by a powerful entity, where people are trapped and exploited without their knowledge or consent. In "Don't Worry Darling", the idyllic 1950s town of Victory is revealed to be a simulated world created by Frank, where the men live out their fantasies while the women are held captive and unaware of the truth. Similarly, in "Vice", the futuristic resort offers visitors the opportunity to act out their desires on sophisticated androids who believe themselves to be human. The protagonists in both films, Alice and Kelly, gradually uncover the disturbing truth about their reality and fight to escape their captors. They experience visions and flashbacks that reveal their true identities and the nature of their imprisonment. The antagonists, Frank and Julian Michaels, are the powerful figures behind the artificial realities, seeking to exploit and control their captives for their own gain. Both films explore themes of autonomy, consent, and the ethics of creating artificial beings for the pleasure or benefit of others. The climax in each movie involves a rebellion or uprising by the captives against their oppressors, as they fight to regain their freedom and autonomy. The films also touch on the idea of desensitization to violence and the potential consequences of indulging in unchecked desires within these artificial realities.
Resident Evil: Afterlife
Both "Don't Worry Darling" and "Resident Evil: Afterlife" feature a central female protagonist (Alice and Alice Warren, respectively) who discovers that the reality they are living in is a fabricated simulation or controlled environment. They are trapped in these artificial worlds against their will, with the truth being hidden from them by powerful forces (Umbrella Corporation and Frank's Victory Project). The protagonists experience strange visions and hallucinations that hint at the true nature of their reality. They must fight against the controlling entities and their henchmen to escape the simulations and return to the real world. The movies explore themes of control, deception, and the struggle for freedom and autonomy. Both feature action sequences and climactic confrontations where the protagonists confront the masterminds behind the simulations.