5 Most Underrated Movies

You’re in for a crazy ride so, buckle up!

I have been on Medium for about a month and every day I end up finding something new on this platform. Today, as I woke up and checked Medium for stats, I happened to see this ‘Series’ thing. Consequently, I read about it and I reckoned that I could use it.

(The idea was to publish this as a ‘Series’ but unfortunately, I couldn’t do it because of some issues, which I’m still trying to figure out. Nonetheless, I can still post stories so, no problem. There you go!)

I have already mentioned it a number of times that I am a ‘movie guy’, who loves to talk and write about movies. So, naturally my first series(Intention was to post it as a series) on Medium is also going to be about movie, titled 5 Most Underrated Movies.

Before, I dive into my list, let me clarify that although I love all genres, yet my preferred genres are Drama, Crime and Mystery thrillers. Thus, all movies on this list belong to these three categories.

5. The Hateful Eight

For me, The Hateful Eight is the most underrated movie of Quentin Tarantino. Those who love ‘Tarantinoesque’ cinema, they would agree that The Hateful Eight is the most overlooked,often under-discussed, masterpiece of Tarantino.

The 2015 Western/Drama thriller, starring Samuel L. Jakson and Kurt Russel among others, tells the story of a bunch of travelers, who in the middle of snowstorm took refuge at a small lodge, only to found themselves in twisted turn of events.

The Hateful Eight has action, humor, over the top violence, everything, which Tarantino’s fans ask for. So, check it out.

4. Primal Fear

Pardon my biases but this list is loaded with mystery thrillers.

Well, if you are a fan of Edward Norton, it is likely that you might have already seen this. However, if you haven’t, let me assure you that you’re in for a treat.

Primal Fear looks into the case of an altar boy, who is accused of brutally murdering the archbishop of Chicago. A veteran defense attorney takes the case, only to find himself struggling with finding the truth, buried beneath layers.

Great performance from Edward Norton plus some gritty direction from Gregory Hoblit, Primal Fear is an impeccable Mystery/Crime thriller, right there waiting for you.

3. Brick

Have I ever told you guys that I’m a big fan of Joseph Gordon-Levitt and I don’t think that I have ever disliked any of his movies. Be it 500 Days of Summer, Looper, 10 Things I Hate About You, I love watching his movies. However, some of his movies are quite underrated, especially Brick. Thus, it is imperative to talk more about Brick so that others can also watch this brilliant Mystery thriller.

Brick was released in 2005 and it revolves around Brendan Frye’s (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) struggles of solving the murder of his girlfriend.

Directed by Rian Johnson, Brick is one of those Mystery thrillers, which binds you to your couch and doesn’t even allow you to blink.

2. Her

Ever since the release of Joker, everyone seems to be jumping on the bandwagon and praising Joaquin Phoenix for his Oscar-worthy performance. There is no disputing that Phoenix portrayal of Arthur Fleck aka Joker was nothing short of perfection. However, for those who had been watching Phoenix’s work for quite some time, it wasn’t a surprise.

Phoenix have been giving such performances for quite a long time. Moreover, he could’ve won the Academy Award for The Master or Her. And that’s exactly the reason that I have mentioned Her on this list.

Her tells the story of an introvert writer who happens to fall in love with an Operating System. Saving you from spoilers, you have to see it yourself to acknowledge the artsy of this movie.

1. Requiem for a Dream

Although it has a rating of 8.3 on IMDb, yet I still believe that this movie is not that well known and more people need to see this movie.

When I watched this movie for the first time, I couldn’t understand the underlying idea of the whole thing. Nonetheless, after watching it twice or thrice, this movie really moved me.

As described by IMDb, Requiem for a Dream is a scary/depressing depiction of “The drug-induced utopias of four Coney Island people”, which shatters when their addictions run deep.

Moreover, I believe that it was the best performance of Jared Leto till date. (Some might argue that his portrayal of a transgender in Dallas Buyers Club was better!) Jared Leto played the character of Harry Goldfarb in such a great fashion that now, I can’t even imagine anyone else playing that part.

Thus, don’t waste time, watch it now.

Although there are several other movies, which can be fitted in this list, yet I have tried to keep it short for you guys. So, that’s it. 5 Most Underrated Movies. Again, I have listed these movies, based on my liking, taste and biases. In case, you think otherwise, let me know.