Adaptation
2002USA★ 7.34 pt match
Both films sit with figuring out who you are, guilt, and longing. Same energy: dark comedy, surreal, episodic, and slow burn.
Simon of the Desert
Simón del desierto
1965MexicoLanguage: esDirected by Luis Buñuel★ 7.6
Available in English: subtitled
Simon, a deeply religious man living in the 4th century, wants to be nearer to God so he climbs a column. The Devil wants him come down to Earth and is trying to seduce him.
Themes and style
Tone
absurdistdark comedysurrealcold and detached
Pacing
episodicslow burn
Story
unravelingjourney
Emotion
figuring out who you areguiltlongingloss of innocence
Themes
religion and faithcorrupt institutionsfamily wounds passed down
Feel
cerebraldiscussion starterquietly hauntingrewatchable
Violence
mildWhere to watch
Hollywood films like Simon of the Desert
If Simon of the Desert hit you the right way, here are Hollywood films that share its DNA. Same emotional weight, same kind of stories, same kind of payoff.
Dr. Strangelove
1964USA★ 8.13.5 pt match
Like Simon of the Desert, this one is rooted in figuring out who you are. Both circle the same ground: corrupt institutions. Same energy: dark comedy and absurdist.
The Truman Show
1998USA★ 8.23.5 pt match
Both films sit with figuring out who you are, loss of innocence, and longing. They share the same lens on corrupt institutions. The feel is the same: dark comedy, surreal, and slow burn.
Being John Malkovich
1999USA★ 7.43.5 pt match
Both films sit with figuring out who you are, longing, and loss of innocence. Both move the same way too, dark comedy, surreal, and slow burn.
Burn After Reading
2008USA★ 6.73 pt match
Both films sit with figuring out who you are and longing. The world both films live in revolves around corrupt institutions. Same energy: dark comedy and absurdist.