It is generally believed that Suburbia originated in the mid-20th century when nations tried to rebuild themselves after two world wars that ravaged the world and created problems for society, which they desperately wanted to get out of. The suburbs were created for people, especially families, to redefine themselves and create a kind of ‘paradise’ away from the core of society. Of course things didn’t work out that way. The same problems that plagued society for years continued to do so, even with the introduction of the supposedly utopian domestic spaces.
Moreover, this tension between the desire for paradise and the inability to actually create it created a dark side of the suburbs. This, of course, has led to compelling stories, especially in film. Olivia Wilde’s don’t worry baby is indeed the last to dismantle this utopian fantasy. Per Colliderthe movie will hit theaters on September 23, so until then let’s take a look at the best movies about the dark side of the suburbs.
8 celiac
Released in 1989, the Australian horror film celiac was written and directed by Ann Turner. The film stars Rebecca Smart, Nicholas Eadie, Victoria Longley and Mary-Anne Fahey, and is set in 1957, around a young girl growing up in the suburbs of Melbourne during the Red Scare, who, according to The Conversation, has a widespread fear of the communism by a group, society or state. Celia has a fantasized view of the world around her, which results in the occurrence of dark events. We see the toxicity of the community she grew up in on the screen, showing the dark side of the suburbs.
7 Pleasantville
Pleasantville was released in 1998, directed by Gary Ross, and starred Tobey Maguire, Jeff Daniels, Joan Allen, William H. Macy, JT Walsh and, most notably, Reese Witherspoon early in her career. The film revolves around two siblings who become trapped in a Midwestern town, depicted in a 1950s TV show. At first they enjoy the city, but soon they bring color to the world and introduce the residents to a less simplistic way of life. It’s a cheap film, but actually contains an interesting commentary on social repression.
6 The Virgin Suicides
Sofia Coppola’s The Virgin Suicides was released in 1999, based on the 1993 novel of the same name by Jeffrey Eugenides. The film follows five teenage sisters who lived in suburban Detroit in the 1970s. The eldest sister makes an attempt on her own life, after which the girls are forced to lead a limited life and are eventually confined to their homes. They become increasingly depressed and isolated. The film shows how repressive conditions can be deadly for teenagers and their development.
5 Revolutionary way
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Revolutionary way was released in 2008, directed by Sam Mendes and based on the 1961 novel of the same name by Richard Yates. Leonardo DiCaprio stars as Frank Weheeler and Kate Winslet as April Wheeler, the pair’s first time sharing a screen since the hugely successful Titanic. Revolutionary way focuses on the couple’s ongoing personal problems and the resulting breakdown of their marriage. Frank struggles through 10-hour workdays and April struggles at home, separate from the life she’s learned to seek, but finds meaningless. The film explores marriage and how the nuclear idea of suburban life can be toxic and break relationships.
4 The Stepford women
The Stepford Wives is a 2004 black comedy directed by Frank Oz, based on a screenplay by Paul Rudnick. The film is a remake of the 1975 film and is made great by the inclusion of Nicole Kidman as Joanna, who moved to a suburb called Stepford. Joanna struggles to adjust to the expectations of living there and discovers a dark secret that keeps the city secret. The film is one of the most obvious on the list when exploring the dark side of the suburbs, and it has become a cult classic.
3 american beauty
Sam Mendes’ american beauty was released in 1999 and stars Kevin Spacey as Lester Burnham, a suburban father who has a midlife crisis and ends up falling in love with his teenage daughter’s best friend (played by Mena Suvari). The film explores the dangers of repression and suburban existence, but it’s gotten a weirder viewing experience given the allegations of sexual misconduct against Spacey.
2 Blue velvet
Blue velvet is a 1986 neo-noir film written and directed by David Lynch. The film has a cast that includes Kyle MacLachlan, Isabella Rossellini, Dennis Hopper and Laura Dern. The film centers on a college student who discovers a severed ear in a field, leading to the uncovering of a criminal conspiracy. The images match the theme of the dark suburbs, depicting white picket fences first, and then we quickly realize there are dark secrets beneath the seemingly perfect world.
1 Out
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Jordan Peele’s Out was released in 2017 and marked his feature film debut, starring Daniel Kaluuya, Allison Williams, Bradley Whitford, Caleb Landry Jones, Stephen Root and Catherine Keener. The plot follows Chris (Kaluuya) and his girlfriend Rose (Williams), who have reached the milestone of meeting the parents in their relationship. At first, Chris believes her family’s strange behavior is due to his being black, but in reality, there’s something sinister underneath that affects the entire neighborhood.