The Machinist (2004)

You’ll probably guess what’s going on before Trevor does, and the poor guy has had a whole year without sleep to work it out. That’s the weakness. The clues aren’t subtle, and anyone who’s seen a few psychological thrillers will clock the trick well before the movie admits it. What keeps it watchable is mood. Brad Anderson shoots the whole city in washed-out grays and greens, like everything in it needs a nap. Christian Bale plays Trevor polite, hollow and twitchy, and the factory accident is staged so tensely you’ll want to keep your hands in your pockets. Michael Ironside brings real fury. Aitana Sánchez-Gijón’s Maria is the only warm light in the movie, and that airport diner feels like the last open place on Earth. It made just $8.2 million worldwide on a reported $5 million, and it holds a 7.6 on IMDb anyway. A 7.1 because the atmosphere is airtight even when the mystery isn’t. $673 says you check your fridge for sticky notes before bed tonight.

What works: Christian Bale’s hollowed-out, jittery performance and a washed-out look that makes the whole city feel sleepless.

What doesn’t: The clues pile up so obviously that most viewers will solve the twist well before the movie admits it.

Who it’s for: People who like slow, foggy psychological thrillers and don’t mind guessing the ending early.