One of the main directors of the “New Hollywood” generation, Brian De Palma is recognized as one of the greatest filmmakers in the history of American cinema.
Admired by many critics and cinephiles as a genius, he is known for his suspense films that explore voyeurism and eroticism.
His works are marked by a distinct visual style, frequently using techniques such as sequence shots, split screen and split focus.
Below, we present a list of 10 of Brian De Palma’s greatest films.
Brian de Palma: Top 10 Films
Body Double (1984)
Body Double (1984) / Credit: Columbia Pictures (disclosure) Available to Max subscribers.
The cult erotic thriller “Body Double” makes direct references to Alfred Hitchcock films, such as “The Falling Body” (1958) and “Rear Window” (1954). Exploring the theme of voyeurism, the cast includes Craig Wasson, Gregg Henry, Melanie Griffith and Deborah Shelton.
The plot follows an unemployed and claustrophobic actor (Wasson) who is offered the job of looking after a luxurious apartment in Los Angeles.
There, he begins to spy, through a telescope, on the attractive neighbor who routinely dances sensually through the window. However, when he witnesses something terrible happening to her, he becomes involved in a web of mysteries.
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Dressed to Kill (1980)
Dressed to Kill (1980) / Credit: Filmways Pictures (disclosure) Available to rent and buy on Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV.
A box office success, “Dressed to Kill” is an erotic thriller with references to the classic “Psycho” (1960) by Alfred Hitchcock. The film features Michael Caine, Angie Dickinson, Keith Gordon and Nancy Allen in the cast.
Dressed to Kill (1980) / Credit: Filmways Pictures (disclosure)
In the story, a psychopathic killer attacks one of the patients (Dickinson) of a psychiatrist (Caine) and stalks a prostitute (Allen) who witnessed the crime.
The Fury (1978)
The Fury (1978) / Credit: 20th Century Fox (disclosure) Available for free on Netmovies. Available to Looke subscribers.
A supernatural thriller with elements of horror and science fiction, “The Fury” is based on the novel of the same name by John Farris, who also wrote the screenplay. Kirk Douglas, John Cassavetes, Amy Irving, Carrie Snodgress, Charles Durning and Andrew Stevens star in the film.
In the plot, the life of a former government agent (Douglas) takes a turn when his teenage son, who has psychokinetic powers (Stevens), is kidnapped.
The kidnappers are a secret government organization that wants to exploit your abilities. Desperate to rescue his son, he enlists the help of a young woman (Irving) who also has psychic powers.
The Final Payment (1993)
Carlito’s Way (1993) / Credit: Universal Pictures (disclosure) Available to Oldflix subscribers. Available to rent and buy on Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV.
Based on the novels “Carlito’s Way” (1975) and “After Hours” (1979) by judge and writer Edwin Torres, “The Final Payment” is a crime film. Considered one of Brian De Palma’s best films, his cult following has grown over the years.
Carlito’s Way (1993) / Credit: Universal Pictures (publicity)
The film stars Al Pacino, who plays Carlito, a gangster who has just been released from jail with the help of his lawyer and friend (Sean Penn). Carlito intends to give up crime, but is unable to escape this life due to his past and external pressures.
Penelope Ann Miller, Luis Guzmán, John Leguizamo, Jorge Porcel, Joseph Siravo and Viggo Mortensen complete the cast.
One Shot in the Night (1981)
Blow Out (1981) / Credit: Filmways Pictures (disclosure) Available to subscribers of MGM+ Apple TV Channel and MGM+ Amazon Channel.
Considered one of Brian De Palma’s masterpieces, “A Shot in the Night” is inspired by the film “Blow-Up – After That Kiss”, by Michelangelo Antonioni. John Travolta, Nancy Allen and John Lithgow star in the film.
Blow Out (1981) / Credit: Filmways Pictures (disclosure)
In the plot, Jack (Travolta) is a sound effects technician who witnesses a car accident while recording sounds for a film. The accident kills a presidential candidate and injures a prostitute (Allen), who Jack rescues.
However, upon reviewing his recordings, Jack discovers the sound of a gunshot before the car lost control, realizing that the accident could have been a murder.
Snake Eyes (1998)
Snake Eyes (1998) / Credit: Buena Vista International (disclosure) Available to Star+ subscribers.
Starring Nicolas Cage, “Serpent Eyes” is a thriller praised for its technical and visual care. In the plot, a corrupt detective (Cage) witnesses the murder of a politician in the middle of a boxing match.
The crime, committed by a sniper from a distance, leads the detective to become involved in a complex web of conspiracies as he investigates the case.
Tragic Obsession (1976)
Obsession (1976) / Credit: Columbia Pictures (disclosure) Not available on streaming.
Considered by moviegoers and fans of Brian De Palma as one of his best works, “Tragic Obsession” was well received at the box office. Cliff Robertson, Geneviève Bujold and John Lithgow star in the production.
Obsession (1976) / Credit: Columbia Pictures (publicity)
With a plot inspired by Hitchcock’s “The Falling Dead”, the film follows a businessman (Robertson) whose life changes when his wife and daughter are kidnapped and die during a rescue attempt.
However, years later, he meets and falls in love with a young woman who is the exact look-alike of his late wife (Bujold).
Cain Syndrome (1992)
Raising Cain (1992) / Credit: Universal Pictures (disclosure) Available to rent and buy on YouTube Filmes, Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV. Available on Claro TV+.
Suspense that features a character with multiple personalities, “Cain Syndrome”, with John Lithgow in the main role. In the plot, Carter (Lithgow), a respected child psychologist, worries his wife Jenny (Lolita Davidovich) by obsessively studying their daughter.
When Carter discovers that Jenny is cheating on him, one of his multiple personalities comes to the surface: the violent Cain.
Additionally, neighborhood children begin disappearing, leading Jenny to suspect that Carter is resuming the experiments of her late father, a deranged psychologist.
Mission: Mars (2000)
Mission to Mars (2000) / Credit: Buena Vista Pictures Distribution (disclosure) Available to Star+ subscribers.
Adventure and science fiction film, “Mission: Mars” features names like Tim Robbins, Gary Sinise, Don Cheadle, Connie Nielsen, Jerry O’Connell and Kim Delaney in the cast. The film was poorly received by critics at the time of its release, but it is another case of a film that gained cult status over time.
In the plot, the first manned mission to explore Mars in 2020 fails in a mysterious way. A rescue mission is sent to bring the survivors back and find out what happened.
Femme Fatale (2002)
Femme Fatale (2002) / Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures (disclosure) Available for free on Netmovies. Available to Looke subscribers.
A box office failure, “Femme Fatale” is yet another case of a Brian De Palma film that was poorly received by critics at the time of its release and subsequently gained cult status.
An erotic thriller, the film stars Antonio Banderas and Rebecca Romijn-Stamos.
In the plot, a former mercenary thief (Romijn-Stamos) restarts her life as the wife of an ambassador after a major coup years ago. However, a photo taken by a paparazzi obsessed with her (Banderas) exposes her new identity to her enemies.
Femme Fatale (2002) / Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures (disclosure)
