The works ofFranz Kafkahave left an incredible mark on literature and culture, shaping the way we understand themes of alienation and absurdity through its thought-provoking, existentialist narratives.Over a century after his most famous works were written, Kafka’s influence is stronger than ever. Whether we’re talking about viral Internet memes or literary discussions about his astounding works, his writing continues to touch generations and even thrive in the age of social media.
It is no surprise that cinema has long been drawn to Kafka’s unique brand of storytelling, too, with plenty of talented filmmakers capturing the essence of his surreal and anxiety-inducing works through their own unique storiesandadaptations of his novels. We look back at some of the best “Kafkaesque” movies that share the author’s signature themes of existential dread and absurdism, fromAri Aster’sBeau is AfraidtoDavid Lynch’sMulholland Drive.
10’Beau is Afraid' (2023)
Directed by Ari Aster
Wonderfully acted byJoaquin Phoenixin an immersive performance,Ari Aster’s latest film sees a paranoid man embarking on an epic, anxiety-inducing odyssey to get home to his mother. Although arguably not the filmmaker’s best effort this far, Aster’s film still delivers a compelling surrealist nightmare that blends existential dread with dark humor.
Anyone intrigued by stressful and psychologically intense storytelling will likely find Aster’s movie equally fascinating and unsettling. Fans of Kafka’s works will probably enjoy it, too, as the picture incorporates some of the elements seen in his most compelling works, starting with its sense of paranoia and almost inescapable feeling of existential doom.Much like Kafka’s own protagonists, Beau finds himself trapped in a world that feels absurd and oppressive, where every attempt to move forward is met with inexplicable obstacles.
Beau Is Afraid
9’Enemy' (2013)
Directed by Denis Villeneuve
Directed by talentedOscar-nominatedDenis Villeneuve, this fantastic mystery thriller follows a mild-mannered college professor (Jake Gyllenhaal) as he discovers a look-alike actor, eventually delving into the other man’s private life. Haunting but equally entertaining,Enemyblurs the lines between reality and delusion, thriving in the eerie atmosphere.
In more ways than one,Enemyis Kafkaesque in its portrayal of detachment, paranoia, and identity.Enemyresembles the author’s works through its surreal narrative and exploration of psychological themes, such as alienation and profound identity crisis, keeping viewers questioning reality and even going as far as to question the nature of their own existence.Enemyis a masterclass in visual storytelling and psychological tension, with its elements of surrealism and symbolism evoking a sense of unease.
8’The Fly' (1986)
Directed by David Cronenberg
Blending body horror and psychological tension and starringJeff Goldblumin a compelling lead performance, this Americansci-fi horror filmtells the story of an eccentric scientist whose ambitious experiment goes horribly wrong, which leads him to turn into a fly-hybrid creature slowly.
The Flyis fundamentally a story of its protagonist’s descent into madness, with his physical degeneration serving as a mirror to his psychological unraveling.Like the author’s bookTheMetamorphosis, whichThe Flyclosely parallels, themes of alienation, loss of humanity, and identity crisis are particularly prominent. Just as Gregor Samsa inThe Metamorphosisundergoes a horrifying transformation into an insect,The Fly’s protagonist transforms into a fly-human hybrid. In both stories, the physical and emotional alienation are deeply intertwined, forcing the characters to confront their changing identities. What’s more, Cronenberg himselfhas acknowledgedthese thematic similarities in an article for The Paris Review.
7’The Trial' (1962)
Directed by Orson Welles
This adaptation of Kafka’s posthumously published novel of the same name centers aroundAnthony Perkins' Josef K., who is accused of an unspecific crime and shambles through a series of bizarre encounters in an attempt to clear his name in the face of a hellish bureaucracy.
Directed by iconicactor and filmmakerOrson Welles,The Trialis a masterful take on the novella. Despite not being a commercial hit, it has since gained recognition as a powerful and timeless movie anchored by the director’s unique vision. Much like other works by the acclaimed author, it immerses viewers in its bureaucratic labyrinth whereits protagonist becomes trapped in an oppressive system, echoing Kafka’s themes of helplessness and absurdity.
6’Being John Malkovich' (1999)
Directed by Spike Jonze
For fans of surrealist cinema,Being John Malkovichis a must-see. Following puppeteer Craig (John Cusack) as he discovers a hidden portal that allows people to enter the mind of renowned actorJohn Malkovich, the movie plunges audiences into a world of identity confusion and absurdity.
A striking blend of dark comedy and psychological drama,Spike Jonze’s boldly original, surrealist picture is a compelling exploration of the absurdity of life and the complexities of the human psyche. Despite its comedic tone,Being John Malkovichshares several Kafkaesque themes, such as its nightmarish, surreal narrative and dreamlike quality. While not a direct adaptation of Kafka’s works, like most entries on this list, Jonze’s film delves into the nature of human existence in a compelling, at times even unsettling way.
Being John Malkovich
5’After Hours' (1985)
Directed by Martin Scorsese
One ofMartin Scorsese’s most underrated pictures,After Hoursis a darkly comedic thriller that takes the viewers on an anxiety-driven ride through New York City’s late-night underworld. The story follows officer worker Paul Hackett (Griffin Dunne) who, after meeting a woman in a café, finds himself embroiled in a bizarre series of events that spirals into a chaotic night in the town.
After Hoursexplores themes of alienation and control, much like Kafka’s works, particularly through the character of Paul Hackett. Just like the author’s protagonists, who often find themselves trapped in a world where they lack understanding and control,After Hoursexplores themes of alienation and control as it depicts Paul’s nightmarish scenario as his evening unfolds, and he encounters increasingly bizarre situations.
After Hours
Directed by David Lynch
Directed by the incredibly talented lateDavid Lynch,EraserheadfollowsJohn Nance’s Henry, who resides alone in a bleak apartment. After discovering that an earlier fling with Mary X (Charlotte Stewart) has left her pregnant, he marries the expectant mother and has her move with him. However, things take a wild turn when he learns that the baby turns out to be a bizarre lizard-like creature.
A deeply unsettling picture on every level,Lynch’svisually stunning black-and-whitedebutis the perfect pick for fans of Kafka’s surrealist works. Offering a nightmarish exploration of fear and anxiety while delving into the grotesque,Eraserheardis elevated by haunted imagery, with its eerie narrative exploring a descent into a world of isolation and absurdity. While an original story in its own right,the film’s lead protagonist and his struggles with alienation closely echo those of Kafka’s characters, making for a thematically captivating pick for fans of the genre.
Eraserhead
3’Eyes Wide Shut' (1999)
Directed by Stanley Kubrick
Although an unlikely Kafaesque film primarily given its setting and subject matter,Eyes Wide Shutcaptures many core elements in Kafka’s work. TheStanley KubrickpictureseesNicole KidmanandTom Cruiseas husband and wife. When the latter admits to having sexual fantasies about a man she met, Bill becomes obsessed with having a sexual encounter, which leads him to discover an underground sexual group.
Based on the novelDream StorybyArthur Schnitzler,Eyes Wide Shutexplores themes of alienation and the absurdity of existencein a completely different context, pushing Kafkaesque sensibilities into a more contemporary and even sensual space. The Kubrick picture is undoubtedly one of the most promising in his body of work, with its dreamlike atmosphere and slow-burn pacing emphasizing the tension between the characters' lives.
Eyes Wide Shut
2’Brazil' (1985)
Directed by Terry Gilliam
This absurdist essential byTerry GilliamfollowsJonathan Prince’s Sam Lowry, a harried technocrat in a futuristic society that is needlessly convoluted. After meeting the woman he is always chasing in his dreams, Jill (Kim Greist) becomes an enemy of the state and finds himself entangled in a bureaucratic nightmare. As he attempts to save her, he eventually descends further into a surreal and dystopian world of oppressive government oversight.
Brazilincorporates Kafkaesque elements through its themes of alienation, paranoia, and the loss of controlin an absurd world. Much like Kafka’sThe Trial,Brazilsees its protagonist stuck in a system that is both inescapable and seemingly impossible to understand. Like many of the author’s work,Brazilembraces surrealism and dark absurdity. At its core, the TerryGilliam picture is a compelling critique of totalitarian control and personal identity.
1’Mulholland Drive' (2001)
Directed by the late talented David Lynch, much like the previously mentionedEraserhead,and starringNaomi WattsandLaura Harring,Mulholland Driveendures as one of themost iconic surrealist filmsof all time. The plot centers around an amnesiac woman who, after undergoing a major car crash, teams up with an aspiring actress in a twisting adventure that blurs reality and dreams.
This Kafkaesque exploration of alienation, identity loss, and the forces controlling one’s fate make it an intriguing, at times even resonating picture in that it captures the disorienting experience of searching for meaning in an indifferent world. Filled with twists and turns — especially towards its end —Mulholland Driveis a genuinely fun and captivating journey that has audiences hooked from the beginning, whether thanks to its mind-bending narrative or stunning visuals.
