Written by:
Sandra Calzadilla
LMHC
Written by:
Sandra Calzadilla
LMHC
Narcissistic characters, whether painted as villains or as tragic individuals coping with trauma, are rife in the media. Their toxic behavior, whether sympathetic or not, can be responsible for abuse and dysfunction in relationships.
From abusive parents to gaslighting partners, here are ten movies that encapsulate the narcissistic experience:
1. Mommie Dearest (1981)
While critics are divided on whether this cult classic is campy fun or a genuine essay on dysfunctional families, no one can deny Faye Dunaway’s gripping performance as Joan Crawford, an actress and the abusive, narcissistic mother who keeps her household in an iron fist.
The film follows the actress as she terrorizes her adoptive children throughout their lives, hurling abuse and physical violence as her world crumbles around her. Narcissists are masters of manipulation and abuse, and the iconic Joan Crawford is no exception.
2. Gaslight (1944)
The term gaslighting—intentionally manipulating someone into questioning their sanity—comes from this film, in which a husband convinces his wife she is slowly losing her mind after turning the gaslights on and off when she’s not aware, then blaming it on her imagination.
The term has become ubiquitous thanks to this psychological thriller, which remains a good watch to understand how easy it is to manipulate someone’s sanity.
3. The Devil Wears Prada (2006)
There are fewer iconic “terrible bosses” than Meryl Streep’s Miranda Priestly, a fictional fashion magazine editor rumored to be based on the real-life Vogue editor Anna Wintour. Equal parts aloof and cutthroat, Priestly’s demands and scathing comments leave little room for disagreement or failure.
The film has become a staple of modern filmmaking and launched many of the actors into stardom—Meryl Streep herself was nominated for Best Actress the year the film debuted. The film’s legacy is likely due to its universality—many people have experienced a narcissistic boss at some point.
4. Rachel Getting Married (2008)
Anne Hathaway’s award-winning performance of Kym, a former drug addict and alcoholic who leaves rehab in order to attend her sister Rachel’s wedding, remains a poignant and deeply human look at a narcissist who’s trying to change, sometimes failing, and working to heal from deep personal trauma.
Attention-seeking and deeply afraid of being vulnerable, Kym’s antics during her sister’s wedding sow chaos that hurts her family deeply, namely Rachel. While it would be easy to paint Kym as the villain of this story, the film is more about the effects of trauma on families and the narcissistic tendencies people use to cope.
5. Hush (1998)
Narcissistic mothers are no surprise in the thriller genre, and Hush is no exception. Jessica Lange stars as the child-obsessed mother to the main character’s husband willing to do anything it takes, including killing her son’s new wife, to raise her grandson as her own.
6. Rebecca (2020)
In a remake of the critically-acclaimed 1940 Alfred Hitchcock film, Rebecca doesn’t deal with a narcissist in their current marriage, but rather, a previous one. The intentionally unnamed main character struggles to find her identity after engaging in a whirlwind romance with the mysterious Maxim de Winter while living under the shadow of his former wife, Rebecca.
While Rebecca is clearly depicted as the unstable, narcissistic wife willing to burn everything down around her, the film remains a poignant tale of caution when marrying a stranger.
7. Matilda (1996)
The Roald Dahl adaptation became a classic in its own right, documenting the tale of a gifted young child who develops psychokinetic powers. Matilda uses her powers to deal with her neglectful, narcissistic parents as well as her cruel and abusive school principal.
Though certainly more fantastical and child-friendly than other films on this list, Matilda’s strength as a film about narcissists lies in Matilda’s parents, who refuse to take her to school, leave her alone in the house as a child, and consistently belittle her achievements.
8. Arthur (1981)
More comedy than thriller, Arthur follows a young, alcoholic, spoiled man whose parents are forcing him to marry a rich heiress in order to keep his fortune, thinking that the marriage will help straighten Arthur out. He instead falls in love with a young woman, Linda, and the two begin a tenuous romance as Arthur’s parents continue to pressure him to marry well. Linda’s influence on Arthur, however, seems to be a beneficial one, as Arthur begins to grow up and take things more seriously.
9. Mean Girls (2004)
If narcissism were a teenage girl, it would be Regina George. Leader of the high-school clique The Plastics, Regina is vicious, manipulative, and narcissistic to a fault.
Mean Girls has become a pop-culture hit, known for its humor and quotable one-liners, but those who have dealt with narcissism in their lives will likely appreciate Regina’s downfall from high school popularity.
10. The Invisible Man (2020)
Based on H.G. Wells’ 1897 book of the same name, The Invisible Man follows the story of Cecilia, who is being hunted by her abusive ex that no one can see. While her ex is supposed to have committed suicide, he instead found a way to become invisible and torture Cecilia unseen.
Watching Cecilia attempt to uncover the man that is attempting to ruin her life is truly thrilling.
When to See a Therapist When Dealing With a Narcissist
Narcissistic attitudes can wreak havoc on self-esteem and personal relationships. Dealing with a narcissist can be incredibly challenging, but a therapist can help you to create boundaries, practice self-care, and better identify red flags. Find a therapist in your area today.
