11 essential films for Philosophy students

Are you a philosophy student, do you like movies? If so, we bring you some films that you cannot miss, and that directly or indirectly address various human issues that invite reflection.

The seventh art has been inspired by transcendental issues that go beyond mere entertainment. This has meant addressing philosophical questions that have generated doubts in great thinkers.

Do you study philosophy or are you passionate about this branch of knowledge? So, there are some titles that you should not miss seeing and enjoying, and that will surely make you question certain things. Check out our list to learn about the films we feature and how they relate to certain philosophical questions.

1. 2001: A Space Odyssey

We start with a classic. From director Stanley Kubrick, this 1968 film raises a number of interesting questions throughout its plot that will make you question if we are alone in this vast universe. In addition, the film also presents an interesting journey through the evolution of our own consciousness.

This movie will make you question If evil and violence are inherent to human beings, on a journey through the formation of moral conscience.

2001: a space odyssey It presents very interesting approaches that invite you to think about the future of humanity. You can see a hint of Nietzsche’s superman through ‘Star Child’.

2. Matrix

Matrix, from 1999, is without a doubt one of the great works of the seventh art, And this film not only presented important advances in effects and animations, but also hides a background. It is considered one of the most philosophical films when it questions what the life we live really is.

Matrix shows a dystopian reality in which there is a war between humanity and machines, in which the presented reality exists only in the mind. When you see it, you will surely ask yourself: “Is what we see real? Is what we experience real?”

3. Sofia’s world

This 1999 Norwegian film shows the disturbing and wonderful world of introspection and self-knowledge of Sofía, a young woman who has just turned 15 years old.

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After receiving a letter with no return address, Sofía embarks with philosopher Alberto Know on a journey through the history of philosophy, to try to answer: who am I? How did the world originate? It is an adaptation of the novel of the same name by Jostein Gaarder.

The film explores how myths began to explain natural phenomenathe philosophy of ambiguity, the myth of the cave or the influence of religion on philosophy during the Middle Ages. Also, modern and contemporary philosophy, taking an interesting look at the thoughts and approaches of the great philosophers of history.

4. The Truman Show

Another essential film for philosophy students is The Truman Show. With an interesting plot, this 1998 film shows us the story of Truman: an allegory adapted from Plato’s cave.

The protagonist is locked up, being a prisoner without even knowing it and dominated through fear and feelings of guilt. He is excellent at analyzing various philosophical positions. A film to reflect on… Is the world we live in real?How much power does ignoring what happens “outside” have in us? What is the figure and reason for being of the “creator”?

These are just some of the questions this film asks us. In the end, we can see the power of Eros, which drives the protagonist to break with many of the ideas with which he had worked until that moment.

5. Origin

A film from 2010 that will take you on a journey through the dream world, raising very interesting questions on this journey. Various philosophical and even psychological postulates can be seen through the film. that try to explain life.

Descartes’ philosophy is present throughout the film, which will make you question how to know if what we experience is real or not. Doubt is one of the main protagonists of Origina fundamental principle of philosophy.

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6. The foreigner

It is a film from a long period of time, specifically from 1967, where Luchino Visconti created a perfect film adaptation of the novel of the same name by Albert Camus. It is a window into the despair of the postwar period.. At the same time, we could take the criticism of values very well for today’s society.

The questioning of the identity of the human being is one of the main philosophical attractions of this film, a metaphor of the absurd.

7.Blade Runner

Dated in 1982, this film is still relevant today, and it is a true gem of cinema that will make you ask many questions.

Philosophy, religion and ethics are some of the topics that are addressed in an exquisite way within a science fiction context. Without a doubt, one of the films that you should not miss if you are interested in philosophy.

Transhumanism poses ethical, moral and philosophical dilemmas derived from the development of “replicants” (specialized androids), who develop emotions, then opens the debate about “what makes us human?”

8. Fight Club

An interesting film from 1999, which tells the story of a young man who does not find much meaning in his life and who he is struggling with insomnia that does not let him rest. Life leads him to meet Tyler Durden, who is partly the antithesis of him, and who shows him another way of approaching the world. All this with an interesting twist at the end.

Nihilism is present in the plotin which we can glimpse through the destruction of submission and the defense of a new vital spirit based on the will to power as the appropriate path to take care of mental health.

9. The day Nietzsche cried

From 2007, this is a film that narrates Nietzsche’s experiences from a hypothetical relationship with Josef Breuer, who was one of the mentors of the father of psychoanalysis (Sigmund Freud).

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This relationship raises several questions and attempts to explain what life is from different philosophical positions. A very interesting film.

The midlife crisis is experienced through the plot, along with the rebirth that falling in love implies, transcendental events in the life of any person. All this accompanied by very interesting philosophical debates.

10. Memento

Another essential film for philosophy students is this thriller from the year 2000. Memento tells the story of Leonard, who after the tragic death of his wife He develops a type of amnesia that does not allow him to form new memories.

It is an interesting journey through the protagonist’s constant questioning about his own life and those around him. Philosophical issues such as knowledge, identity and self-awareness invite us to reflect about the artificial and natural world we inhabit.

11. The name of the Rose

1986 film that presents the vicissitudes faced by the first promoters of logical reasoning and the understanding of science as a divine gift and not as something antagonistic to God. All this from the story of an inquisitor, William of Baskerville, who He faces the secrets hidden in his abbey.

A very interesting vision about fear from various angles.as well as the power of humor as a healing element for the soul.

These are some of the titles that you should not miss If you are interested in philosophy. In each of these films you can find interesting aspects that will make you reflect on transcendental topics, as well as learn a little more about philosophy in practice.

And for you, is there a film that has invited you to reflect on philosophical issues? What more title would you add to the list?