8) The Machinist
You’ve probably heard of The Machinist due to Christian Bale’s famous drastic diet that reduced the 6ft tall actor to a mere 120 pounds (before he then went and bulked up again in just six months for Batman Begins). While Bale’s commitment to his craft should not be understated, the film as a whole is often forgotten under all the talk about its star.
Bale plays Trevor, a factory worker who suffers from severe insomnia which has affected his physical and mental well-being. After an accident at work, Trevor sinks into a paranoid meltdown over the belief that all his co-workers are conspiring to drive him insane.
The movie is a fascinating journey into the state of mind of someone seriously troubled and, coupled with Bale’s excruciating appearance, it makes for a hugely disconcerting watch. Director Brad Anderson washes out practically all the colour from proceedings, making for a bleak visual experience which heightens the mood of the film. Though it is a powerful piece that we recommended seeing once, you will be hard pressed to view The Machinist a second time.