20 Best Movies Like ‘Enemy,’ Ranked by IMDB Score
There are movies that you watch when you just want to let your brain loose, not think too much about anything, and enjoy the show. But then, there are movies that have you thinking, analyzing, and deciphering what you just saw for hours after the end credits roll – even days!
One such movie is Enemy, a Denis Villeneuve mystery thriller starring Jake Gyllenhaal as a guy who realizes that an actor looks absolutely identical to him, so he seeks him out to get to the bottom of the truth. The entire movie, especially the ending, will have your head spinning, as the film is rich with metaphor, symbolism, and mystery.
Hold my beer if you’ve seen Enemy and want something just as awesome and mind-bending. I’ve got not one but twenty awesome movies like Enemy for you, ranked solely based on their IMDb score. But, trust me, whichever you choose, you won’t be mistaken. Let’s dig in!
20. Mother! (2017)
IMDb score: 6.6/10
What it’s about: A couple lives in a secluded mansion in the middle of a beautiful, lush forest. Just recently, the mansion burned down but has now been slowly restored by the wife. Meanwhile, her husband struggles with his poetry, as he once was a very famous poet.
Things take a sour turn when the husband accepts several strangers into their home, seeking inspiration. Their once-peaceful home descends into chaos, and it’s all on the wife – who’s now a mother – to keep it afloat.
Why it’s like Enemy: Like Enemy, Mother! is an entirely metaphorical movie. Sure, you can look at it from a literal perspective, but then you’re missing the film’s point. Now, I won’t spoil or suggest what Mother! is actually about, as it might make you view the film from a different perspective from the start. I’ll just say that the metaphor is biblical in proportions.
19. Borgman (2013)
IMDb score: 6.7/10
What it’s about: An arrogant upper-class family lives their chic suburban lives but is soon disrupted by a vagrant named Camiel Borgman. He knocks on their doors and seeks help, shelter, and food. The wife accepts despite her husband not being for it. Soon, Borgman starts playing with the husband’s jealousy, leading to him getting beaten up.
Then the wife aids him and starts deceiving the husband. All of a sudden, weird things start going on. A dark presence can be felt throughout the property. Apparent hallucinations start manifesting. Borgman starts appearing in the wife’s dreams. Who, or what, is he?
Why it’s like Enemy: Borgman is a European film, with the Netherlands, Belgium, and Denmark being marked as countries of origin. It’s deeply metaphorical, and everything you see has a meaning and purpose, different from what meets the eye at first – kind of like Enemy.
It never gives a straight answer but leaves everything to the viewer’s interpretation. Is Borgman just a vagrant, or is he a demon? Perhaps he represents one’s deepest fears or darkest desires? You be the judge.
18. Stay (2005)
IMDb score: 6.7/10
What it’s about: A psychiatrist takes on a new patient who seems to have suicidal tendencies. However, treating the patient proves to be tougher than he initially thought, as the psychiatrist struggles with his own grip on reality and what’s real. Fact and fiction, dreams and reality, will all become blurry and merged…
Why it’s like Enemy: Stay is an incredibly complex story that plays on the notion of staying somewhere between reality and fantasy or between life and death. The story has tons of twists, and the ending will leave you rethinking everything you’ve seen – just like the ending of Enemy.
17. The Killing of a Sacred Deer (2017)
IMDb score: 7.0/10
What it’s about: Dr. Steven Murphy is a surgeon who forms a deep, emphatic bond with Martin, a 16-year-old boy whose father died on the operating table of Dr. Murphy. Although there’s an eerie aura surrounding Martin from the start, the Murphy family slowly accepts him – only to be dragged into a nightmare that can end only if one of them admits their sins and makes an impossible decision.
Why it’s like Enemy: The thing I loved about Enemy the most is the atmosphere throughout the film. Even when the plot slows down and nothing is going on in particular, there’s just this unnerving feel throughout.
That’s basically what The Killing of a Sacred Deer was for me. It’s dark, unnerving, slow-burning, and mind-bending. It’s not everyone’s cup of tea, but it was absolutely spot on – especially the casting of Colin Farrell, Barry Keoghan, and Nicole Kidman.
16. The Lobster (2015)
IMDb score: 7.1/10
What it’s about: David lives in a dystopian future in a place simply called The City. New laws have single people arrested and sent to The Hotel, where they have to find a partner within 45 days. Should they fail to do so, they are transformed into beasts or animals and released into The Woods. Will David find a partner or accept his fate of becoming The Lobster?
Why it’s like Enemy: Although you might feel that The Lobster is completely different from Enemy genre-wise, it’s actually quite similar in terms of the plot being heavily symbolic and metaphorical.
Colin Farrell is an absolute genius in the role, and although the abstract nature of the plot might lose you if you aren’t totally attentive throughout the film, it’ll certainly have you scratching your head. And, when you watch both The Lobster and Enemy and think about their plots, you’ll actually notice they have more in common than the plot itself.
15. Coherence (2013)
IMDb score: 7.2/10
What it’s about: A group of friends enjoys a lovely dinner party on a night when a comet is flying over the Earth, causing an astronomical anomaly. Soon, the anomaly turns their dinner into a series of mysterious, mind-blowing events that they struggle to explain.
Why it’s like Enemy: Coherence is actually one of the first films I’ve seen from this list, which is why it subjectively holds one of the top spots for me among these films. The plot might not be as symbolic as Enemy, per se, but it’s absolutely mind-bending and will require you to think unconventionally to figure out what is going on in the world.
It’s an awesome film, and I’ve seen several other similar movies playing into the same trope, but none really intrigued me or delivered quite the same vibe as Coherence.
14. Take Shelter (2011)
IMDb score: 7.3/10
What it’s about: A man has visions of an apocalypse taking place in the near future, so he almost obsessively tries to build an atomic shelter for his family. Soon, his obsession turns into paranoia, and he quickly becomes unsure if he should protect his family from the apocalypse or himself.
Why it’s like Enemy: Take Shelter will twist your mind and have you jump back and forth between believing the guy and thinking he’s mentally ill. The mysterious nature of the film and the play with one’s psychology will have you hooked, and the ambiguous ending leaves you rethinking the clues in the film more times than you can count.
13. Pi (1998)
IMDb score: 7.3/10
What it’s about: In this monochromatic debut from Darren Aronofsky, a mathematician becomes paranoid when he discovers a connection between numbers and natural patterns. He obsessively seeks the key number that’ll allow him to unlock the universe’s secrets. Is he just paranoid, or is there something more to his theories?
Why it’s like Enemy: Darren Aronofsky is well known for making incredibly mind-bending movies, and his directorial debut was no different. It dabs between paranoia and reality, including capitalism, occultism, hallucinations, and so much more. You’ll likely have to watch Pi twice to pick up on everything this movie has to tell you.
12. Predestination (2014)
IMDb score: 7.4/10
What it’s about: Ethan Hawke plays the role of a temporal (time-traveling) agent, and for his final mission before retirement, he has to try and catch this criminal that has evaded his grips for his entire career. However, as it turns out, the criminal he’s after might hit closer to home than he ever could’ve imagined.
Why it’s like Enemy: I’m not going to reveal what happens in Predestination, but unlike many other films on this list, it doesn’t actually have a dark, metaphorical ending. Instead, it plays with some paradoxes that come with time travel and will first have you scratching your head before going – “oooh, right! This is awesome!” Predestination is a must-watch for all fans of the mind-bending genre.
11. Jacob’s Ladder (1990)
IMDb score: 7.4/10
What it’s about: A Vietnam War veteran mourns the death of his child while struggling with mental dissociation. It proves to be almost impossible, however, as he struggles to even distinguish reality from fantasy, hallucinations, delusions, and dreams.
Why it’s like Enemy: Although it came out over two decades earlier than Enemy, Jacob’s Ladder is one of the most mind-bending pieces of cinematic history that you’ll ever find. Nothing is as it seems; everything is just a clue leading you down another rabbit hole. It’s a symbolic representation of dissociation, manic episodes, and other mental conditions that come with PTSD.
10. Eyes Wide Shut (1999)
IMDb score: 7.5/10
What it’s about: William Harford is a Manhattan doctor whose wife admits to having sexual fantasies and longings he couldn’t fulfill. He then embarks on a journey to find sexual adventure, only to find himself entrapped in crazy, occult orgies conducted underneath masks and between New York’s high society members.
Why it’s like Enemy: Not only is the movie mysterious and mind-bending itself – the whole story behind the making of Eyes Wide Shut is just as mysterious. Cruise and Kidman had their own issues. Then conspiracy theories started circulating about Kubrick’s subliminal messaging throughout the movie.
It’s simply a cult classic you have to watch at least three times to completely come to terms with all the symbolics and mind-bending twists. One of the best movies of all time, in my book.
9. The Butterfly Effect (2004)
IMDb score: 7.6/10
What it’s about: Evan Treborn has suffered from blackouts since childhood, especially at crucial junctions and events in his life. He finds a supernatural way to revisit past memories through his old journal and alter his decisions in those crucial moments, filling the ‘blackout spots’ with new decisions.
However, every time he changes a decision, his entire future life changes and just makes matters worse. Evan now has to fight to prevent his past-altering from turning everyone’s lives into a disaster – including Kayleigh, the one girl he ever loved.
Why it’s like Enemy: Out of all the mind-benders you can find, The Butterfly Effect is my favorite because it puts your life and decisions into perspective. Have you ever wondered how your life could change if, one day, you decide to turn right instead of left at a crossroads? Or, if you never said ‘hi’ to someone you passed by?
Every tiny decision can cause a ripple effect that grows and grows, eventually changing your life completely and the lives of everyone around you. That’s what The Butterfly Effect is about, and just like Enemy, it has an odd, ambiguous ending. Heck, four alternative endings were shot for the film, just playing into the ‘butterfly effect’ narrative even more!
8. The Machinist (2004)
IMDb score: 7.7/10
What it’s about: A factory worker suffers from severe insomnia that he can’t resolve, no matter how hard he tries. After not sleeping for an entire year, he starts doubting his own sanity and becomes a safety hazard for himself and his coworkers.
He must try and dab into his mind to realize why this was happening to him, only to find out that the truth might hurt more than not ever knowing.
Why it’s like Enemy: The ending of The Machinist is certainly going to blow your mind. However, the entire movie is phenomenal in leading you down an alley, only to make you realize it’s a dead end and return you back to square one.
Christian Bale is a genius, just like Jake Gyllenhaal in Enemy. If you have time to watch only one movie from this list, I advise you to watch The Machinist.
7. The Game (1997)
IMDb score: 7.7/10
What it’s about: A San Francisco banker celebrates his birthday – the same age his father was when he passed away. He decides to switch things up in his life a bit and accepts the opportunity to join a mysterious game recommended to him by his long-lost brother.
Soon, the game becomes all too real and all too sinister, and he loses the grip on the line between what’s real and what’s not. Is he part of a major conspiracy to make his life a living hell, or is there something deeper going on in his mind?
Why it’s like Enemy: The Game is a phenomenal psychological thriller. The mystery is so well written and conceived that you wouldn’t be able to guess what’s going on and what kind of twists and turns you might expect. As in Enemy, there’s symbolism to what’s happening, but in the end, you’ll just have to think hard to grasp what you just witnessed.
6. Mr. Nobody (2009)
IMDb score: 7.8/10
What it’s about: Mr. Nobody’s name is Nemo. He’s an old man living in a dystopian future, recounting his life to a reporter. As a boy, Nemo stands at a railroad station as his father and mother are parting ways. He has to make an impossible decision – stay with his father, or leave with his mother. Is it possible not to choose at all? If he doesn’t choose, anything is possible.
Why it’s like Enemy: The entire premise of the film might be confusing, but in the end, everything sits in place, and you’ll absolutely have your mind blown. The ending is ambiguous and symboling, like the Enemy, but the plot of a single decision forming our entire lives in the future is more similar to The Butterfly Effect (also on this list).
But Mr. Nobody presents another possibility – what if we decide not to choose in a situation where a choice is presented to us? If you never make a decision, then the possibilities remain open – anything becomes possible. Confused already? Watch the film, and you’ll realize why it’s so highly regarded.
5. Mulholland Drive (2001)
IMDb score: 7.9/10
What it’s about: A woman suffers from serious amnesia after being in a car crash on Mulholland Drive. She teams up with a Hollywood actress searching for her spot underneath the stars, and the two search for clues to answer their own individual questions. As it turns out, the two women will find more than they bargain for, blurring the line between dreams and reality.
Why it’s like Enemy: Mulholland Drive is a slow-burning, mysterious psychological thriller in which nothing is as it seems. Many of the motifs in the movie are symbolic, just like in Enemy, and also, the two women might have more in common than they previously thought. Mulholland Drive is a mystery thriller classic and an absolute must-watch.
4. Black Swan (2010)
IMDb score: 8.0/10
What it’s about: Nina is a New York City ballerina striving to become the best of the best. Not just because it’s what she wants but because it’s what her mother wants as well. Nina is sweet and innocent, perfect for playing the White Swan in Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake, but her rival is better suited for the role of the Black Swan. If Nina wants the role, she needs to be prolific in both.
Why it’s like Enemy: Black Swan is another masterpiece from Darren Aronofsky, riddled with mystery, symbolism, and hidden meaning. As we get to the end, and Nina becomes the Black Swan, you’ll revisit the movie and the meaning behind every character and their actions. It’s a masterpiece of a movie that makes you think instead of just watching.
3. Donnie Darko (2001)
IMDb score: 8.0/10
What it’s about: Donnie Darko is a troubled teenage boy who is plagued by visions of a man in an unsettling rabbit suit. Donnie survived a bizarre accident where an airplane engine fell into his house. The rabbit man manipulates Donnie into making an ever-escalating series of crimes while we slowly realize that all those events were somewhat supernaturally manipulated.
Why it’s like Enemy: Jake Gyllenhaal was much younger when he portrayed Donnie Darko, but just as brilliant of an actor. The movie is a classic for a reason, and it’s mind-bending from the start. At times, it appears as a pretty straightforward story of a teenager with some sort of mental issue, but as the plot progresses, you’ll realize there’s much more going on here.
2. Shutter Island (2010)
IMDb score: 8.2/10
What it’s about: A US Marshal is called to investigate a disappearance of a murderer who somehow escaped Shutter Island – a hospital for the criminally insane. The plot is set in the 1950s. As the investigation goes deeper, so does the mystery, leading the investigator to doubt his sanity, memory, hospital staff, partner, and everything he ever knew.
Why it’s like Enemy: Leonardo DiCaprio is one of the most brilliant actors of our generation, but Shutter Island is, for me, his greatest accomplishment in life as an actor. The plot is insanely (pun intended) brilliant, and the twists are highly unpredictable.
The only problem I have with Shutter Island is that you’ll hardly ever forget the ending once you’ve seen it, which makes the second, third, or fourth viewing less surprising – but just as riveting.
1. Requiem for a Dream (2000)
IMDb score: 8.3/10
What it’s about: The lives of four drug addicts start to fall apart as their addictions worsen. In a twisted haze between drug-induced hallucinations and cold-hard reality, they’ll do anything to aid their addictions, even if it literally means losing an arm.
Why it’s like Enemy: The final – and best – Darren Aronofsky’s film on this list, Requiem for a Dream, is unlike any other movie from this list. It’s even different from Enemy in almost every way, other than leaving you totally discombobulated in the end. There’s symbolism, but what makes Requiem for a Dream so unsettling – is that it’s set in stone-cold reality.
I’ve watched this film only once, and it etched into my memory so hard that I still remember it almost scene by scene. This is a movie I believe everyone should watch at least once in their lives, but I wouldn’t recommend it if you have places to be and things to do for the next three days after watching. It’s that emotionally riveting.