The Definition of the Larraín Vibe
Before diving into the list, it's essential to understand what constitutes the 'Larraín vibe.' It's a potent mix of elements that create a distinct cinematic experience. His films are characterized by a claustrophobic atmosphere, where characters, often
historical figures, feel trapped by their circumstances. Visually, his work is meticulously framed, using intense close-ups and atmospheric lighting to draw the audience into the protagonist's internal world. There's often a political undercurrent, a re-examination of history without sentimentality, and a pervasive sense of dread or dark, satirical humor. He humanizes icons by focusing on their vulnerabilities and insecurities, turning public lives into intensely private, sometimes nightmarish, fables. The following films share this DNA, prioritizing mood, psychological depth, and a uniquely unsettling beauty.
1. Possessor (2020)
Brandon Cronenberg proves the apple doesn't fall far from the tree with this sci-fi horror film. It follows an assassin who hijacks other people's bodies to carry out hits. The film's exploration of fractured identity, corporate-fueled violence, and the psychological toll of inhabiting another's life feels like a futuristic, body-horror cousin to Larraín's character studies. Its sterile, cold aesthetic and brutal, visceral shocks create a sense of dread that is both physical and existential.
2. Under the Skin (2013)
Jonathan Glazer’s masterpiece follows an alien entity, in the form of Scarlett Johansson, as she preys on men in Scotland. Like Larraín’s work, this film uses an outsider's perspective to deconstruct familiar human experiences, turning the mundane into something strange and terrifying. Its atmospheric dread, minimalist narrative, and profound questions about identity, gender, and empathy make it a perfect spiritual companion to films that observe a protagonist who is isolated from the world around them.
3. Personal Shopper (2016)
Starring Larraín's own Princess Diana, Kristen Stewart, this film feels like a direct sibling to 'Spencer.' Stewart plays a personal shopper and spiritual medium in Paris, grieving the recent death of her twin brother while being haunted by a mysterious texter. The film masterfully blends grief, ennui, and supernatural suspense, creating a portrait of a woman adrift. Its focus on a lonely soul's internal world and its tense, atmospheric mood are pure Larraín.
4. Shirley (2020)
This is the 'anti-biopic' at its finest, a mode Larraín perfected with 'Neruda.' Directed by Josephine Decker, 'Shirley' is not a traditional life story of author Shirley Jackson. Instead, it’s a psychological thriller about a brief, fraught period in her life. It blurs the lines between reality and fiction, capturing the volatile creative process and the monstrous aspects of genius. The film's claustrophobic setting and focus on the toxic, co-dependent relationships feel intensely Larraínesque.
5. Berberian Sound Studio (2012)
A timid British sound engineer travels to Italy to work on a lurid 'giallo' horror film, and the psychological lines between his work and reality begin to dissolve. This film is a masterclass in creating terror through atmosphere and sound design, rather than explicit visuals. The protagonist's mental unraveling in a claustrophobic, alienating environment perfectly mirrors the internal collapses seen in Larraín's portraits of characters under immense pressure.
6. The Novice (2021)
While not about a historical figure, this film is a ferocious character study of obsession. A queer college freshman joins the rowing team and pushes her body and mind to their absolute limits to succeed. Director Lauren Hadaway, a former sound editor, uses a powerful, layered soundscape to create a sinister and claustrophobic world of competition. The film's intense, often wordless focus on one woman's self-destructive pursuit of perfection is a theme Larraín would surely appreciate.
7. Vox Lux (2018)
Brady Corbet's 'Vox Lux' is a brutal and cynical look at the making of a 21st-century pop star, born from a school shooting tragedy. Like 'Jackie,' it examines how personal trauma becomes public property and how fame can be a gilded cage. Natalie Portman’s ferocious performance as the adult pop star Celeste captures the monstrous side of celebrity. The film’s chilly tone and sharp critique of modern culture align perfectly with Larraín's thematic concerns.
8. Days of Heaven (1978)
An older but essential entry, Terrence Malick's film is a benchmark for atmospheric, poetic filmmaking. A love triangle unfolds on a Texas Panhandle farm in the early 20th century, but the plot is secondary to the dreamlike visuals and elegiac tone. Its stunning cinematography, use of voiceover to convey internal thought, and focus on characters caught in a beautiful but doomed world create a mood that feels like a direct ancestor to Larraín's visual and thematic style.
9. The Fits (2015)
This beautifully understated and mysterious film follows an 11-year-old girl who joins a dance team, only to find its members are succumbing to unexplained fainting spells. Director Anna Rose Holmer creates a palpable sense of unease and wonder, focusing on the protagonist's quiet journey of belonging and transformation. Its hypnotic atmosphere and focus on a female-centric world grappling with a strange, internal phenomenon echo the surreal and insular worlds Larraín builds.
10. Lux Æterna (2019)
For those who appreciate the 'anxiety-inducing' side of Larraín's work, Gaspar Noé’s 51-minute experimental film is a must-see. Depicting a film shoot gone horribly wrong, it’s a chaotic, strobe-filled sensory assault that explores witchcraft, jealousy, and the hysteria of the creative process. While more aggressive than a Larraín film, its themes of women under extreme professional and psychological pressure, and its immersive, nightmarish quality, strike a similar chord.
