These Women Will Self-Destruct: 12 Movies That Will Leave You Speechless

What is your favorite movie with destructive women? After someone polled an online entertainment forum for their best, here are THEIR top nominations. Do you agree?

1. Thelma and Louise (1991)

Geena Davis, Susan Sarandon Thelma & Louise 1991
Image Credit: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.

A well-known road movie called Thelma and Louise follows the journey of two women by the names of Thelma and Louise as their spontaneous trip takes a dark turn.

As they battle their inner demons and societal pressures, their behavior grows more unpredictable, leading to a dramatic and thrilling finale. The film explores liberation-related topics, female empowerment, and the results of violating social norms.

2. The Lifeguard (2013)

The Lifeguard 2013 Kristen Bell, David Lambert
Image Credit: Focus Features.

The protagonist of the drama film The Lifeguard is Leigh, a woman in her thirties who feels constrained by the responsibilities and setbacks of life. In an effort to recover her lost youth and escape her problems, she returns to her hometown and resumes her prior job as a lifeguard.

But as time passes, her harmful behaviors and toxic relationships undermine her survival. The film explores various themes, including identity, nostalgia, and the drawbacks of trying to live in the past.

3. May (2002)

Jeremy Sisto May 2002
Image Credit: Lions Gate Films.

A socially awkward young woman named May struggles with loneliness and a need for connection in the psychological horror film May from 2002. She becomes even more isolated from society, exacerbating her fragile mental state and putting her on a collision course with self-destruction. The movie delves extensively into the problems of obsession and the effects of unrestrained desire.

4. Black Swan (2010)

Winona Ryder 2010 Black Swan
Image Credit: Fox Searchlight Pictures.

The intense pressure and devastating aspects of the professional ballet world are explored in the gripping psychological thriller Black Swan. Nina is the movie’s primary character, a talented ballerina who strives for excellence to get the lead role in Swan Lake. The boundaries between reality and her sensitive mind start to blur as she yields to the demands of her profession.

5. Ingrid Goes West (2017)

Ingrid Goes West 2017 Aubrey Plaza
Image Credit: Neon.

An ironic comedy-drama titled Ingrid Goes West examines social media’s and obsession’s drawbacks. The film’s main character is disturbed adolescent Ingrid Thorburn, who becomes fixated on popular Instagram influencer Taylor Sloane.

Ingrid embarks on a risky journey that crosses the barrier between truth and fiction because she wants acceptance and connection. The movie examines concerns with identity, loneliness, and the drawbacks of seeking approval on social media.

6. Monster (2003)

Monster 2003
Image Credit: Newmarket Films.

This true-crime film Monster tells the gruesome tale of Aileen Wuornos, a prostitute turned serial killer. The film delves deeply into Aileen’s turbulent past and the events that led to her descent into violence and self-destruction.

As her life spirals out of control, she forms a toxic relationship that feeds her bad behavior. The terrifying and realistic portrayal of a woman battling her inner demons in the film is unsettling.

7. A Woman Under the Influence (1974)

Peter Falk, Gena Rowlands A Woman Under the Influence 1974
Image Credit: Faces Distribution.

The riveting depiction of a woman suffering mental illness in A Woman Under the Influence is powerful. John Cassavetes was the director. In the film, Mabel, a dedicated but emotionally unstable wife, and mother, deals with daily challenges.

Her destructive inclinations affect her family, who must deal with the consequences as her conduct becomes more erratic and unstable. The movie examines the problems with mental health, societal expectations, and the strain it puts on human connections.

8. Marnie (1964)

Marnie 1964 Sean Connery, Tippi Hedren
Image Credit: Universal Pictures.

Alfred Hitchcock directed the psychological thriller, Marnie. The film’s main character is Marnie, a troubled young woman with a complicated past and a predilection for stealing. As she becomes involved in an abusive relationship, her secrets and traumas start to resurface, leading her down a path toward self-destruction. The film examines trauma, identity, and the results of suppressed emotions.

9. Young Adult (2011)

Young Adult
Image Credit: Paramount Pictures.

The protagonist of the dark comedy-drama Young Adult is Mavis Gary, a self-absorbed and emotionally unstable writer who returns to her small hometown to reunite with her high school sweetheart, who is now married and has a child.

As Mavis’s delusions and tendency toward self-destruction worsen, the film addresses themes of stagnant growth, obsession, and the perils of living in the past.

10. Possession (1981)

Possession 1981 Isabelle Adjani
Image Credit: Valoria.

The dissolution of a marriage is explored in the psychological horror film Possession. The movie’s main characters are Anna and Mark, a couple whose relationship takes a dark and devastating turn when Anna has a passionate but hurtful affair.

The lines between love, infatuation, and possession are blurred in this film as it examines topics of emotional turmoil, codependency, and the destructive nature of toxic relationships.

11. The Piano Teacher (2001)

The Piano Teacher 2001 Isabelle Huppert
Image Credit: MK2 Diffusion.

Erika, a repressed and emotionally distant piano teacher, is the main character of the psychological drama The Piano Teacher. As she enters into a turbulent and sadomasochistic relationship with one of her students, her suppressed desires and self-destructive inclinations come to the surface. The film examines problems with power dynamics, sexual repression, and the consequences of suppressing one’s libido.

12. Belle de Jour (1967)

Bella De Jour
Image Credit: Valoria.

The lead character of the French drama Belle de Jour is Séverine, a housewife who performs undercover prostitution services in the afternoons. As Séverine delves deeper into her dual existence, her fantasies and desires seep into reality and influence her choices, disastrously affecting her. Sexuality, identity, and the temptation of forbidden desires are all topics that are addressed in the movie.

25 Incredible Films That Force You to Cry Every Time You Watch Them

Ghost Patrick Swayze Demi Moore
Image Credit: Paramount Pictures.

Are you searching for a great film to get your beautiful eyes to tear up? I’m a sucker for a good cry fest. So here are 25 movies that make me cry every time I watch them. Will they get your eyes wet too?

15 Movies Boomers Admit They Were Actually Shown at School

Psycho Anthony Perkins
Image Credit: Paramount Pictures.

Everyone knows the feeling of walking into the classroom and seeing the TV on the rolling stand. It was a feeling of pure joy; you were either watching a film for educational purposes or you were watching a film because the teacher didn’t want to work on their lesson plan. One way or another, you knew you were watching a movie that day.

10 Magnificent Performances That Tricked Us Into Loving Terrible Movies

Tombstone
Image Credit: Buena Vista Pictures.

Ready for some controversy? First, let me preface that I do NOT agree with several of the films listed on this list. Recently, an online film forum member asked about amazing performances in terrible films. Again, don’t hate the reporter. These are not my picks. Here is what they had to say. I know ya’ll…

20 Movies Guaranteed to Completely Blow Your Mind Wide Open

Blade Runner 1982 Harrison Ford
Image Credit: Warner Bros.

What’s the first mind-blowing movie you have ever seen? What’s your favorite thought-provoking film of all time? My favorite mind-bending film of all time is either Inception or The Mist. After someone asked for other examples in an online film forum, here is what moviegoers had to say.

10 Absolutely Amazing Black and White Movies That Are Worth Your Time

Arsenic and Old Lace
Image Credit: Warner Bros.

Name a gem of a black-and-white movie. Now name a black-and-white movie that is an absolute must-see but no one has ever heard of. Here is a list of ten collectible black-and-white movies that you must watch.

Source: Reddit.