They say there is a fine line between love and hate, and maybe they are right. In some cases, intense feelings of passion can lead people to dark places. There are many movies made about love, but there are also quite a few films that recognize and depict the darker side of love.
Here are 19 films that explore the darker side of romance.
Perfect
Made in 1985, this film is so cheesy that it’s now an iconic slice of 1980s culture. Starring John Travolta and Jamie Lee Curtis, it follows a reporter (Travolta) who is set to write a derogatory, nasty news piece on the fitness industry in L.A.- that is, until he meets and falls in love with a beautiful fitness instructor (Jamie Lee Curtis). The movie explores themes of loyalty, betrayal, love, lust, and romantic conflicts of interest.
Cruel Intentions
This film was a massive hit in 1999, starring Reese Witherspoon (Annette), Ryan Phillippe (Sebastian), and Sarah Michelle Gellar (Kathryn); it explores the darker side of love, romance, and sex. After writing an article for a local magazine in which Annette professes her commitment to remain virginal until marriage, Sarah Michelle Geller’s (Kathryn) character and Ryan Phillippe decide to take this as a challenge and place bets that Sebastian will be able to seduce Annette into betraying her own vows of chastity.
The Dark Side of Love
This film is called The Dark Side of Love, and that’s exactly what it explores. Based on two brothers who are living completely different lives, one in a toxic relationship and the other a waiter with an obsessive crush, the movie follows what happens whenever they reunite for their mother’s funeral. Dark themes prevail in this film, and it only has a rating of 3.9 stars on IMDB, so be aware of what you are investing your viewership in before you watch this movie.
Wild Things
This is an iconic film of the 90s with an all-star cast, including Bill Murray, Kevin Bacon, Neve Campbell, Denise Richards, and Matt Dillon. It explores the dark themes surrounding a love triangle between a school counselor and two students, which sparks a cycle of jealousy, betrayal, infatuation, deception, lust, sex, and blackmail.
The Girl Next Door
This film is about a teenager whose dreams come true whenever a former adult star moves in right next door, and they fall in love. Although this movie is a comedy-drama, it still explores some of the darker sides of love, sex, and relationships.
Love
Murphy is an American living in Paris who enters a relationship with an unpredictable, risqué woman. To spice up their romance, they agree to invite a third party into their bed, their neighbor. This movie is a dramatic exploration of lust, sex, and love.
The Unfaithful Wife
A French film made in 1969, this movie follows the journey of a man who begins to suspect that his wife is being unfaithful. Although mainly in French (subtitles available), this film is still critically acclaimed for its realistic portrayal of infidelity within a marriage, and it still holds a 7.4-star rating on IMDB.
Lovelace
Based on the real-life events as expressed by the former pornstar Linda Lovelace in her memoir, this is quite a dark film. We see a graphic depiction of Linda as a young, naive girl who is forced into the industry by her abusive husband. However, the movie also shows us how she escaped and rebuilt a new life for herself.
The Shape of Water
This unique and unusual movie is based on a lonely janitor who worked in a research facility in the 1960s. Played by Sally Hawkins, the janitor begins to develop an attachment to a mysterious creature being held in the lab. The movie is controversial as it explores themes about love, who, and what we can love. But it was received well by audiences and is still rated 7.3 stars on IMDB.
All Good Things
Based on the the true story of a real estate scion (Ryan Gosling) who is suspected of murdering his wife Katie (Kirsten Dunst) after she disappeared in the 1980s. The film examines some very dark themes as we are forced to consider whether the person closest to Katie, who was supposed to love and cherish her the most, was actually the person who killed her.
Only Lovers Left Alive
This fantasy drama has some surprisingly dark elements. It depicts the life of Adam, a vampire who has become disillusioned and depressed by the state of society. After reuniting with his girlfriend, whom he has been dating for centuries, their relationship is threatened by the arrival of her younger, uncontrollable sister.
Hattie
Based on the real lives of two British comedians in the 1960s, Hattie retells the story of their tumultuous relationship and their efforts to hide it from the public eye. Hattie Jacques is a legendary actress famous for her roles in “Carry on Films”; however, in real life, Hattie reportedly moved her lover into her marital home, much to the dismay of her husband for over five years.
Bones and All
Starring Timothée Chalamet, this film, made in 2022, follows two drifters who fall in love as they travel across America. After connecting on their mutual disenfranchisement in life, the film follows their relationship as they both battle to forget their pasts and try to build a positive future together.
Twilight
Twilight is a vampire movie, but it’s also a love story. The film follows two people from very different walks of life who fall in love but are usually forbidden to be together. We see Bella Swan (Kristen Stewart) and Edward Cullen (Robert Pattinson) fight to be together at all costs. Even life and death can’t stop the love between an immortal and a human. If that’s not the darker side of love, then we’re not sure what is.
Equals
Made in 2015, this romantic sci-fi takes us to a utopian future where humans are devoid of all emotion. However, the two main characters, Silas and Nia, regain their feelings and fall in love with each other, bringing about an unexpected series of events. The film explores the power of love and emotion and what the world would look like without it.
Beautiful Creatures
Ethan can’t wait to leave his small town and go to college, but before he leaves, he falls in love with a girl named Lena. Known for being a bit of a loner, Lena has some dark secrets that Ethan eventually uncovers, which makes him fiercely protective of her.
Safe Haven
Starring Julianne Hough (Katie) as a young woman who moves to a new town with hopes of starting a new life. As she starts to build a new relationship with a widowed man, we learn that Katie has left an abusive relationship and is a victim of domestic violence. The movie explores dark, sensitive themes around toxic relationships, abuse, love, and domestic violence.
The Lobster
Starring Colin Farrell, this sci-fi comedy is set in a dystopian future where the law of the land states that all single people must be brought to “The Hotel,” where they must find a mate within 45 days or else. An unusual concept that forces us to explore love, romance, and our freedom to choose who we love.
The Reader
Starring Kate Winslet and Ralph Fiennes, this mystery romance sees a young boy fall in love with an older woman during WWII. After a decade, the two cross paths again, but this time the object of his affection is standing trial for Nazi war crimes. A deep, moving film about love during a difficult, dark time in human history. Rated 7.6 stars on IMDB.
