There have been countless depictions of sociopaths and other predatory personalities in film. Most are pretty bad, incomplete and/or inaccurate. But some have been dead-on.
And so I’ve canvassed my memory for what I regard as several notably excellent portraits of sociopaths in film. I’d be curious what you think of these performances (if you’ve seen them), and eager to discover, through you, new film/television portraits of sociopaths that ring disturbingly true.
In no special order, I’ll start with the original foreign film, The Vanishing, 1986 (not the subsequent and lame Hollywood remake). The Vanishing delivers-up one of the most sinister depictions of a sociopath I’ve ever seen. The fright derives less from graphic violence (there is none) than from the movie’s success at immersing you into the compartmentalized world of its principal character, who is seamlessly managing the presentation of a normal, well-adjusted family man, as he simultaneously and covertly pursues his secret life and morbid agenda.
Next is Unlawful Entry, 1992, a movie starring Ray Liotta as a local cop who smoothly enters the life of a young neighborhood couple (actors Kurt Russell and Anne Archer). Although somewhat formulaic plot-wise, the movie’s performances are impressive. Liotta’s sociopath—glib, charming and seductive—will make the hair on your skin rise. And both Archer and Russell vividly express the tension and alarm arising from their slow awareness that Liotta isn’t who he appeared so convincingly to be.
Richard Gere, in a somewhat unheralded role, nails-down a sociopathic cop in Internal Affairs, 1990. Gere gives a riveting presentation of the sociopathic mentality. Andy Garcia (actor), an Internal Affairs cop in Gere’s department, finds himself in the unenviable position of having to confront the slowly unfolding breadth (and horror) of Gere’s sociopathy. Garcia is also incredible. As in Unlawful Entry, the movie accurately shows how sociopaths can invade, lodge themselves in, and violate innocent, dignified lives.
One of the greatest performances of a sociopath I’ve ever seen can be found in Episode#44 of the former HBO series Six Feet Under. The episode is called, “That’s My Dog.” In it, David (actor Michael C. Hall) extends a random act of help to a road-stranded stranger, Jake (actor Michael Weston). David then finds himself overpowered by Jake, who, in the course of the episode’s hour, manages to embody virtually every relevant, sinister quality for which the sociopath is notorious. Weston’s demonic performance is astonishing. Hall’s as the traumatized victim of a sadistic sociopath is equally amazing.
Great performance, yes. Sociopath? Maybe not.
Dexter
Speaking of actor Michael C. Hall, I wonder what your take is on Dexter, the great Showtime Series in which Hall plays a sociopathic serial killer working, by day, as a Miami crime-scene forensics analyst?
I love this series, which is coming into its third season. But as disturbing a character as Dexter is, I would not characterize him as a sociopath. This is just a fun diagnostic quibble. Ostensibly, Dexter grows up a budding, violent sociopath. His father (or father-figure) recognizes the dark, evil side over which, as a boy and adolescent, Dexter seems to have little, and diminishing, control. The father sees that Dexter is compulsively, inexorably inclined to sadistic violence.
His solution is to somehow train Dexter to direct his sociopathic, homicidal proclivities towards cruel, menacing, destructive individuals. Best, if someone’s got to be snuffed-out by Dexter, it be someone the world will be better without!
And so Dexter becomes skilled, over time, at identifying individuals the world won’t miss; individuals as dangerous and creepy as he.
Why, then, is Dexter not really a sociopath—and indeed, diagnostically speaking, not even necessarily plausible? Because, despite his violent, murderous compulsions, Dexter is, first of all, a fundamentally sincere person. He is also loyal–for instance to his sister and a girlfriend. And while Dexter struggles to “feel” warm feelings, indeed anything—a struggle, incidentally, that he embraces—he knows how to have the backs of others, even where his self-interest may be at risk.
In a word, Dexter strives, against his darkest, most sordid inclinations, for growth. This is precisely what makes him and the series so fascinating, and precisely what rules him out as sociopath.
What do you think?
(This article is copyrighted (c) 2008 by Steve Becker, LCSW.)
GentlePath
The Talented Mr. Ripley
Mumford
Both these movies creep me out to the max. Also the Vanishing and Gaslight. Ugh.
nomas07
A movie that does an incredible job of depicting how hard it is to leave is “And never Let Her Go”. A Lifetime type of movie, but is chilling. Mark Harmon is in it, and I had a hard time watching because too many of the situations felt eerily familiar. Also, did not help, that he looked and sounded like the spath I encountered. A spath makes sure that if and when you leave, you bear the scars of the experience.
I am closing in on 1 year away from him. It has been really tough, and Dr. Steve was an incredible help in helping me recognize my own personality traits that inappropriately kept me connected to him. Understanding why you stayed can be key to keeping away should you ever spot it again.
Wini
Just watch Jerry Springer’s show … all chalked filled with anti-social personalities. A Real eye opener … I always found his show never had a need to find new material. It’s the downfall of our society shown on prime time. I remember writing to their show asking him to explain the flaws of said characters … after my e-mail (years ago) he now uses a closing at the end of his show with his personal critiquing of these characters.
I also remember the anti-socials I worked with … raving about some of the episodes and saying they were dead on. At least it allowed me to know what I was dealing with hearing these statements from co-workers… so I could just smile and walk away.
Peace.
Jewels
I agree, the Diane Downs story is horrific. I believe they DID make a movie about it – “Small Sacrifices” with Farrah Fawcett, Gordon Clapp, Ryan O’Neal – 1989 made for TV movie, I believe. You can order it up through NetfliX, I believe.
No Country For Old Men – I was appalled and intrigued at Anton Chiguhr’s coldness. That would definitely be the LAST face I would EVER WANT to see coming at me. lol
Pacific Heights – Michael Keaton (plays a prototypical psycho), Matthew Modine and Melanie Griffin
American Psycho – Christian Bale (portrays the quintessential psychopath – and does it well!)
SE7EN – Kevin Spacey (too, too good in this role), Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman – I wouldn’t watch Spacey’s movies after seeing this one, until my daughter pulled the CLOCKWORK ORANGE treatment on me (strapped to a chair, eyes held open by “thingies” – jk – lol) and MADE me watch “American Beauty” – then I watched “Pay It Forward” (BOX of KLEENEX movie), and “K-pax” and he pretty much redeemed himself in my mind, for having played such a PERFECT PSYCHO in “Se7en.”
There are probably two dozen others – but these are just examples that jumped to mind in reading this thread.
~*~ Mags ~*~
kat_o_nine_tales
Any of you seen “The Ice Harvest”? Quite a movie. So many, even Fargo. “Mr. Brooks”.. the only movie I ever liked Kevin Costner in.. the dude can’t act I swear, and in this one he played a pretty cold fish. But William Hurt made the movie for me, as the “voice” of his bad side. And of course… Anthony Hopkins famous character, Hannibal. I just really like Anthony Hopkins anyway, he’s a great actor.
I wouldn’t watch Jerry, but the couple of times I’ve been exposed to it, I noticed there is about one person per show who just smiles a little and doesn’t say much, and you can just picture him soaking up the drama and the pain like a vampire.
kat_o_nine_tales
Also James.. I know. I had four with mine, he has no consideration for them, took one to live with him while still ignoring all the rest. The older ones are afraid to confront him because that will put them on his poop-list, the younger two just don’t care. As for me, I’ve given up wondering why he’s not concerned with his kids. I’m just happy he is OUT of their lives. I hope none of them ever get involved with him as adults, or I know exactly what will happen. He will do what he does to everyone, steal their identities and ruin their credit.
jcmybff
Watching the pilot of “Dexter” was the first clue that I was married to a sociopath. Then watching the entire first season is what gave me the tools to truly understand the sociopath I was deceived into marrying. I believe Dexter is a sociopath because you have to focus on his narrative – the truth that Dexter speaks, not his actions that are deceptively used to fool everyone he’s close to – including his sister and girl friend. His father had hoped to reform Dexter – his sister and girlfriend like to think he feels for them, but the first clue for me was Dexter’s narrative that said he was afraid to have sex with his girlfriend, because then she might be able to truly see how empty he truly was – I married a man I had never slept with. Our sex life was horrible – because I think during sex he was afraid that I was able to tell he was truly empty – that he didn’t “really” care about “ME” at all. Only after watching the 12 episodes of the 1st season of Dexter (on Demand while visiting my sister over Christmas vacation) I came home and immediately researched sociopaths and found this website – lovefraud.com. Divorcing my personal experience and seeing Dexter (although a character) in action has helped me understand that even though they are likeable, and loveable – they are truly monsters – and it’s something that’s beyond their ability to change. Normally I won’t have even watched something as gruesome and dark as Dexter – but I’m thankful that it laid the groundwork for me to “get it” and get it clearly and quickly – it has helped me fast track to my recovery – sociopaths are real, they don’t look like the boogeyman, they are really dangerous, and no matter how much they are loved, they don’t have the capacity to change – I learned all that from watching Dexter! Fortunately, I got it just 2 months after separating from my sociopath, started divorce processings 2 months after that, and divorce was finalized 15 long and crazy months later. I’ve been free (separated) exactly 2 years now from my sociopath – but fortunate that I’m NOT tormented by lack of understanding – thanks to Dexter.
newworld view
the only reason i ever saw dexter was because my creature watched it…and to be with him i frequently succumbed to tv……and doesnt it just figure i came to like and pity dexter also….in one segment he was afraid to have sex…didnt know how to because he “couldnt feel anything”
another of his favorites is 2 and a half men….i HATED it, i guess deep inside i feared that is who he was…………not to mention that charlie sheen acts the true part in real life…..he has yet another woman pregnant…….he is such a loser
Steve Becker, LCSW
Late response to Schmooly and Gentlepath! Yes, Schmooly, No Country For Old Men, you nailed that…great depiction of a chilling psychopath….and Gentlepath, likewise, great call on The Talented Mr. Ripley, with Matt Damon brilliantly playing a sociopathic character. So many other performances I need to see, based on others’ feedback. Jcmybff, interesting take on Dexter, though I’d still argue that, as the series evolves, his sociopathic inclinations are becoming increasingly uncomfortable for him (uncharacteristic of a true sociopath); also he’s begun to feel feelings for others, and increasingly wants to feel feelings for others, that a true sociopath would not be striving towards? Also, a true sociopath would not possess the obsessional need to understand, and research, as Dexter does, the trauma that possibly underlays his sociopathic history. IN this sense, he presents, as a character, some challenging diagnostic feedback. Just my opinion.
bird
I just saw a real life documentary about a sociopath called
My Kid Could Paint
It was a good movie because it is real, but I found it hard to watch the narcissistic child abuse.