19 movies that are hard to understand on the first watch

Modified Jan 30, 2025 16:27 ET

On the set of The Shining - Source: Getty

14) Insomnia

2002 Tribeca Film Festival - "Insomnia" Premiere - Source: Getty

Directed by Christopher Nolan, Insomnia delves into the psychological state of the protagonist, Dormer, who is sleep-deprived and is in a constant state of bewilderment. The viewers are often disoriented in understanding what is real and what is a product of the paranoia of the protagonist. The tense atmosphere in the movie can often difficult for first-time watchers to comprehend the meanings that are underlying. The movie focuses on the themes of morality in the morally gray areas, deception, and paranoia.