'The Machinist' - A Perfect Psychological Thriller

My favorite genre in modern cinema is the psychological thriller because it offers a culmination of the best aspects of film: mystery, drama, action, paranoia, fear, etc. Films like 'Psycho,' 'Rosemary's Baby,' and 'Fight Club' all emphasize the unstable or delusional psychological states of their characters. Director Brad Anderson's 'The Machinist' is no different than the aforementioned titles: it explores themes of self-identity and repressed trauma, slowly unveiling a dark, depressing twist, a staple of the genre.

'The Machinist' takes inspiration from 'Jacob's Ladder' and 'Memento;' it's a story that presents itself unconventionally. Trevor Reznik (Christian Bale) is an industrial worker who suffers intensely from insomnia and paranoia. Gradually, he begins to unravel. An industrial accident occurs resulting in co-worker Miller (Michael Ironside) losing his arm. Based on the suddenness of the accident, Reznik loses trust in the rest of the workers. Parallel to these events, a mysterious man named Ivan (John Sharian) joins the scene, proposing questions to the viewer on his identity. From there, peculiarity ensues, as Reznik finds an ambiguous post-it note left on his fridge and no one seems to recognize Ivan's existence. As the paranoia develops, Reznik finds companionship in two women: Marie (Aitana Sanchez-Gijon) is an attractive waitress at the airport café Reznik visits on sleepless nights, and Stevie (Jennifer Jason Leigh) is a prostitute who doubles as his bedroom therapist. But as an unseen hand continues to write little clues on the post-it note, he begins to suspect that everyone may be conspiring against him.

The film is an intense ride that constantly keeps the viewer guessing on what they know and don't know. The depravity of Reznik's mental state reveals a sense of unreliability, forcing the audience to think deeper on Brad Anderson's visual cues. 'The Machinist' is transcendently desolate when compared to other films. Reznik is entrenched in his fear of what may or may not be occurring around him, and Christian Bale’s borderline grotesque performance is among his very best. His excessive weight loss may sound like a cheap way to earn some praise, but his emaciated appearance fits perfectly with the film’s dark, grubby aesthetic. It's shot with next to no color, besides red, and this bleakness perfectly represents the film's tone. He is an empty man, hollowed by festering guilt, reflecting on his lifeless, filthy outlook on everything around him. Anderson’s film may be reminiscent of other works, but its repeated use of sound and images to disturb and startle are what truly bring it to life. This is a movie not about plot, but mood.

This movie is special because it helped kickstart my love for film analysis. The ending is horrendous and grim, but incredibly satisfying for the viewer. All the clues come into place beautifully, without explanation, creating an experience that sticks with you. To anyone that enjoys dark, twisted movies, such as myself, this is an instant view for you. Please share your thoughts if you've seen the movie and how it made you feel in the comments below.