100+ Movies like Vivarium
Kisses
Both "Vivarium" and "Kisses" explore themes of entrapment and loss of innocence. The protagonists in each film find themselves trapped in an oppressive, inescapable environment - a suburban labyrinth in "Vivarium" and the harsh realities of the streets in "Kisses". They are forced to confront disturbing truths and mature rapidly, shedding their childhood naivety. The films depict the characters' struggles against sinister, controlling forces that seek to exploit and manipulate them, stripping away their agency and freedom. Ultimately, both movies portray the protagonists' desperate attempts to break free from their confines and regain their autonomy, though at a profound personal cost.
Bird Box
Both "Vivarium" and "Bird Box" explore the theme of being trapped in a surreal, nightmarish reality. The protagonists find themselves confined to an inescapable environment - a suburban labyrinth in "Vivarium" and a world plagued by unseen entities in "Bird Box". They are forced to adapt to their bizarre circumstances, including raising children under these oppressive conditions. The movies depict the characters' struggles to survive and maintain their sanity in the face of inexplicable, supernatural forces beyond their control. The plots follow their desperate attempts to escape their respective prisons, with the ultimate goal of reaching a safe haven. Both films employ an ominous, unsettling atmosphere and explore themes of parenthood, isolation, and the loss of free will.
The Hole
Both "Vivarium" and "The Hole" involve protagonists trapped in a surreal, inescapable environment where they are tormented by supernatural forces that manifest their deepest fears and anxieties. In "Vivarium", a couple is trapped in a labyrinthine suburban development and forced to raise a sinister child, while in "The Hole", siblings discover a bottomless pit in their basement that conjures their worst fears, including a monstrous version of their abusive father. The protagonists in both films struggle to escape their nightmarish prisons, confronting the manifestations of their psychological traumas. The films explore themes of parenthood, fear, and the inescapability of one's inner demons through their surreal, horror-tinged narratives.
The Pink Cloud
Both "Vivarium" and "The Pink Cloud" explore the theme of being trapped in an inescapable, surreal situation. The protagonists in each film find themselves confined to a limited living space - a suburban house in "Vivarium" and an apartment in "The Pink Cloud" - due to an unexplained, supernatural phenomenon beyond their control. They are forced to adapt to their new reality and create a life within the confines of their environment. Both films depict the passage of time and the challenges of raising a child in isolation. The protagonists struggle with mental health issues, strained relationships, and a loss of freedom as they grapple with their bizarre circumstances. Ultimately, the films present a bleak, dystopian view of being trapped in an artificial, oppressive world with no apparent escape.
Them
Both "Vivarium" and "Them" involve ordinary people trapped in surreal, nightmarish scenarios where they are tormented by mysterious forces. The protagonists find themselves confined to an inescapable, labyrinthine environment - a suburban housing development in "Vivarium" and a rural area in "Them". They are subjected to bizarre, unsettling events orchestrated by sinister entities, represented by the eerie "Boy" in "Vivarium" and the murderous children in "Them". The films explore themes of entrapment, loss of control, and the breakdown of societal norms, with the protagonists' desperate attempts to escape or understand their predicament ultimately leading to tragic consequences. The surreal, dreamlike atmospheres and the sense of being trapped in a twisted, alternate reality are central to both narratives.
Dark Skies
Both "Vivarium" and "Dark Skies" explore the theme of a seemingly ordinary suburban family being trapped and tormented by sinister, otherworldly forces. In "Vivarium", a couple is lured into a bizarre suburban development and imprisoned in a house, forced to raise a mysterious child. Similarly in "Dark Skies", a family is targeted by malevolent extraterrestrial beings known as "the Greys" who terrorize them in their home, eventually abducting one of the children. The movies parallel each other in depicting the invasion of the safe domestic space by disturbing supernatural elements that disrupt the family unit. They also share an unsettling, dreamlike atmosphere and sense of inescapable dread as the protagonists grapple with forces beyond their comprehension.
Spiderhole
Both "Vivarium" and "Spiderhole" involve a group of young people who become trapped in an isolated, confined space against their will. In both films, the protagonists are lured into the trap under false pretenses, only to find themselves imprisoned with no apparent means of escape. The films explore themes of entrapment, loss of freedom, and the struggle to maintain one's humanity in dehumanizing circumstances. There are also elements of body horror and disturbing transformations that the characters undergo. The antagonists in both films are mysterious, sinister forces that exert control over the protagonists' lives and subject them to cruel experiments or tests. Ultimately, the films depict the protagonists' desperate attempts to escape their nightmarish prisons and regain their freedom, though with varying degrees of success.
Scary Movie 4
Both "Vivarium" and "Scary Movie 4" involve characters trapped in bizarre, surreal situations beyond their control. In "Vivarium", a couple is trapped in an endless suburban neighborhood and forced to raise a strange child, while in "Scary Movie 4", characters find themselves in a series of interconnected horror/sci-fi scenarios involving aliens, haunted houses, and a sinister puppet master. The movies share themes of entrapment, loss of identity, and the struggle against unseen, malevolent forces. They also employ elements of dark comedy and satire to heighten the absurdity of the situations. Ultimately, the protagonists in both films are subjected to nightmarish ordeals that challenge their sense of reality and humanity.
Monolith
Both "Vivarium" and "Monolith" explore themes of entrapment and the loss of control over one's life. The protagonists find themselves trapped in surreal, inescapable environments - a suburban labyrinth in "Vivarium" and a remote desert in "Monolith". They are forced into parental roles against their will, having to care for a child/entity that is not their own. The child/entity exhibits unsettling, inhuman behaviors and abilities, hinting at a sinister, controlling force behind their predicament. The protagonists' attempts to escape or resist their circumstances prove futile, as they are met with increasingly bizarre and nightmarish obstacles. Both films build an atmosphere of existential dread and question the nature of free will in a world where unseen forces seem to manipulate reality.
Gerald's Game
Both "Vivarium" and "Gerald's Game" involve protagonists trapped in an inescapable, surreal environment. In "Vivarium", Gemma and Tom are confined to a suburban house and neighborhood, while in "Gerald's Game", Jessie is handcuffed to a bed. The protagonists experience disturbing hallucinations and psychological torment, with Gemma and Tom being forced to raise a strange child, and Jessie confronting manifestations of her abusive past. Both films explore themes of entrapment, loss of identity, and the psychological toll of trauma. The protagonists struggle to escape their nightmarish situations, which are revealed to be part of a larger, sinister system beyond their control. Ultimately, they must confront their inner demons and past traumas to find a way out, though their fates remain ambiguous.
Nothing
Both "Vivarium" and "Nothing" explore themes of entrapment and loss of identity through surreal, nightmarish scenarios. The protagonists find themselves inexplicably confined to a bizarre, inescapable environment - an endless suburban labyrinth in "Vivarium" and a featureless white void in "Nothing". They are forced to confront existential challenges and make difficult choices to survive their predicaments. In both films, the characters' sense of reality and self gradually unravels as they struggle against the oppressive, dehumanizing forces surrounding them. The stories parallel each other in their depictions of the psychological toll of being trapped in an absurd, seemingly inescapable situation that strips away individual agency and purpose.
Dogtooth
Both "Vivarium" and "Dogtooth" explore the theme of dysfunctional families trapped in isolated, controlled environments. The parents in both films deprive their children of knowledge about the outside world and impose strict rules and punishments. The children are forced into disturbing roles and relationships, such as the son being made to have sex with his sister in "Dogtooth" and the Boy being expected to raise Gemma as his mother in "Vivarium". There is a sense of the families being trapped in a surreal, artificial reality disconnected from the normal world. The children's attempts to break free or gain outside knowledge are met with violence and reinforcement of the oppressive family dynamics. Ultimately, the films suggest the children are doomed to perpetuate the cycle by taking on the roles of their parents.
Delirium
Both "Vivarium" and "Delirium" involve protagonists trapped in an isolated, confined space against their will. In "Vivarium", a couple is trapped in a suburban neighborhood and forced to raise a mysterious child. In "Delirium", a man is confined to his family's mansion and discovers dark secrets about his past and family. The protagonists in both films are subjected to psychological torment and surreal, nightmarish experiences within the confines of their respective prisons. They struggle to escape and unravel the disturbing truths behind their captivity, which are rooted in family dysfunction and trauma. The films explore themes of entrapment, loss of identity, and the breakdown of reality through their unsettling, dreamlike narratives.
Earth to Echo
Both "Vivarium" and "Earth to Echo" involve a group of people, including children, who become trapped in a mysterious, artificial environment controlled by an unseen force. They are forced to care for an alien/non-human entity that grows rapidly and exhibits strange abilities. The entity leads them on a journey to uncover the truth about their predicament, which involves advanced technology and a larger conspiracy. The protagonists must navigate the bizarre, confined world while trying to escape and survive, ultimately discovering the entity's true purpose and origins. Both films explore themes of parenthood, captivity, and the blurring of reality and illusion.
Abandoned
Both "Vivarium" and "Abandoned" follow a young couple who move into an eerie, isolated house or neighborhood, only to become trapped and tormented by supernatural forces. In both films, the couple is forced to raise a child that is not their own, with the child exhibiting disturbing and inhuman behaviors. The houses seem to have a mind of their own, preventing the couples from escaping and subjecting them to psychological torment. Themes of parenthood, loss of identity, and the horrors of domestic life are explored. The plots progress in a nightmarish, surreal manner as the couples descend into madness and despair within the confines of their new homes. Ultimately, the films suggest the couples are doomed to be consumed by the malevolent forces they have become ensnared in.
The Incident
Both "Vivarium" and "The Incident" explore existential themes of being trapped in an inescapable, surreal reality. The protagonists find themselves confined to an endless, looping environment - a suburban neighborhood in "Vivarium" and a stairwell/road in "The Incident". They are forced to follow bizarre rules and raise a child/children, with the promise of release upon completion. However, this promise is revealed to be a lie, and they remain trapped indefinitely. The films depict the characters' descent into despair and madness as they grapple with their surreal predicament over decades. Ultimately, both movies suggest that their realities are alternate dimensions or simulations, with the characters' actions and emotions feeding back into their real lives. The cyclical nature of these dimensions and the futility of trying to escape them is a central theme in both films.
The House
Both "Vivarium" and "The House" explore the theme of entrapment within a surreal, inescapable house or suburban environment. The protagonists find themselves trapped in these strange dwellings against their will, unable to leave despite their efforts. The houses seem to have a life of their own, constantly changing and exerting control over the inhabitants. There are mysterious, unseen forces at work, represented by the real estate agent in "Vivarium" and the architect/developer in "The House". The protagonists are forced to adapt to their new reality and raise children or care for others within the confines of the house. The houses ultimately consume or transform the protagonists, stripping them of their humanity and individuality. Both films use surreal, dreamlike imagery and anthropomorphic elements to create an unsettling, allegorical exploration of themes like conformity, domesticity, and loss of identity.
The Black Balloon
Both "Vivarium" and "The Black Balloon" explore the challenges of caring for a child with special needs and the strain it places on family dynamics. In "Vivarium", the couple is trapped in a surreal suburban nightmare and forced to raise a strange, inhuman child against their will. Similarly, in "The Black Balloon", the family struggles to care for Charlie, the autistic older brother, which causes tension and isolation for the younger brother Thomas. The movies parallel the sense of being trapped in an inescapable situation, the sacrifices required to care for a dependent child, and the emotional toll it takes on relationships and personal desires. Both films depict the protagonists' initial resistance to their circumstances before eventually accepting their roles and responsibilities.
Baskin
Both "Vivarium" and "Baskin" involve characters trapped in surreal, nightmarish realms that defy logic and normality. The plots follow the characters' descent into increasingly bizarre and horrific situations as they struggle to escape their confines. Themes of existential dread, loss of identity, and the inescapable nature of one's personal hell permeate both films. The protagonists are subjected to disturbing imagery, cult-like figures, and a sense of being trapped in a cyclical, hellish loop. The endings imply that the characters have entered a realm akin to hell, with no escape from their torment. The surreal, dreamlike atmospheres and exploration of the darker aspects of the human psyche tie these two unsettling horror films together.
The Human Centipede 2 (Full Sequence)
Both "The Human Centipede 2 (Full Sequence)" and "Vivarium" involve disturbing, surreal scenarios where the main characters are trapped in bizarre, nightmarish situations. In "Vivarium", a couple is trapped in an endless suburban development and forced to raise a strange child. In "The Human Centipede 2", a mentally disturbed man becomes obsessed with the first "Human Centipede" movie and creates his own twisted version by kidnapping people and surgically attaching them mouth-to-anus. The movies share themes of confinement, loss of control, and descent into madness and depravity. They also both feature protagonists who are forced into horrific circumstances beyond their comprehension by outside forces. However, the specific plot details and level of extreme gore differ significantly between the two films.