Author Topic: Top 5 Movie Psychopaths  (Read 1436 times)

DarkeningHumour

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Top 5 Movie Psychopaths
« on: January 11, 2017, 02:11:05 PM »
I am finishing up a review that will make my inspiration for this top 5 pretty clear. Just so we do not lose ourselves in semantics and technicallities, here are a couple of useful sources:

Quote from: Wikipedia
Psychopathy (/saɪˈkɒpəθi/), sometimes used synonymously with sociopathy (/soʊsiˈɒpəθi/), is traditionally defined as a personality disorder characterized by persistent antisocial behavior, impaired empathy and remorse, and bold, disinhibited, egotistical traits. Different conceptions of psychopathy have been used throughout history. These conceptions are only partly overlapping and may sometimes be contradictory.

Quote from: Scientific American
First described systematically by Medical College of Georgia psychiatrist Hervey M. Cleckley in 1941, psychopathy consists of a specific set of personality traits and behaviors. Superficially charming, psychopaths tend to make a good first impression on others and often strike observers as remarkably normal. Yet they are self-centered, dishonest and undependable, and at times they engage in irresponsible behavior for no apparent reason other than the sheer fun of it. Largely devoid of guilt, empathy and love, they have casual and callous interpersonal and romantic relationships. Psychopaths routinely offer excuses for their reckless and often outrageous actions, placing blame on others instead. They rarely learn from their mistakes or benefit from negative feedback, and they have difficulty inhibiting their impulses.

Source

Although nothing prevents you from putting Patrick Bateman in your lists, if you do I will look at you and roll my eyes in a « Really? » way. Because come on, you can do better then that.
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philip918

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Re: Top 5 Movie Psychopaths
« Reply #1 on: January 11, 2017, 02:30:28 PM »
Lee Woo-Jin, Oldboy
He exhibits nearly all the traits in the definition and he constructs such an elaborate and depraved revenge plot I think he definitely falls into the psychopath category.

Reverend Harry Powell, Night of the Hunter
Mitchum with the quiet menace.

Daniel Plainview, There Will Be Blood
Willing to use anything and anyone to get what he wants.

Frank Booth, Blue Velvet
Dennis Hopper plays himself.

Asami Yamazaki, Audition
Kiri-kiri-kiri...

oldkid

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Re: Top 5 Movie Psychopaths
« Reply #2 on: January 12, 2017, 12:09:13 AM »
Possible spoiler alert

Eve, in All About Eve

Hannibal Lecter in Silence of the Lamb

Mother Gothel in Tangled

Amy Elliot Dunne in Gone Girl

Gregory Anton in Gaslight
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DarkeningHumour

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Re: Top 5 Movie Psychopaths
« Reply #3 on: January 12, 2017, 04:00:29 AM »
At best Eve is a sociopath.
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oldkid

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Re: Top 5 Movie Psychopaths
« Reply #4 on: January 12, 2017, 03:53:40 PM »
I was assuming a more general definition, people who lack empathy, or lack enough empathy that it does not stir their conscience to harm another.  It is true that some use psychopath to additionally mean those who are violent in their tendency to harm others.  I wasn't assuming you were meaning so specific.  I was thinking, "Would this person pass the psychopath test?"  All of these would, but Eve doesn't have the violent streak.
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Teproc

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Re: Top 5 Movie Psychopaths
« Reply #5 on: January 12, 2017, 04:01:28 PM »
At best Eve is a sociopath.

She fits the American Scientist definition you quoted pretty well.
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jdc

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Re: Top 5 Movie Psychopaths
« Reply #6 on: January 12, 2017, 10:26:19 PM »
Chad - In the Company of Men
Cary - Your Friends and Neighbors

more to come.. maybe
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oneaprilday

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Re: Top 5 Movie Psychopaths
« Reply #7 on: January 12, 2017, 10:52:33 PM »
We've gotta have Bruno on this top 5, of course.


DarkeningHumour

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Re: Top 5 Movie Psychopaths
« Reply #8 on: December 20, 2017, 05:13:53 AM »
Bumping this up.
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