Futuristic movies are the highlight of the summer film season. People love good telekinesis or mind-controlling movie storylines as they’re the furthermost from reality. How scary is the scenario of one person controlling another person’s thoughts? Often, their actions influence the other’s behavior or decision-making process.
Sometimes the movie’s storyline is predictable. But like other film genres, it will not detract from the plot at all. One of the top telekinesis movies is the 2014 cult classic In Your Eyes.
The film’s main plot is the telekinesis connection between two people from different parts of the United States. Rebecca is the shy wife of a highly-successful doctor working in one of the top hospitals on the East Coast.
Dylan is struggling to get a fresh start in his life after being recently released from jail in New Mexico. The two characters share feelings by seeing or hearing specific events in each other’s day. Together, they form a bond that cannot be broken.
Film critics praised In Your Eyes as they loved the on-screen chemistry between the actors, Michael Stahl-David and Zoe Kazan. This is a rare compliment as their characters (Dylan and Rebecca) shared very little on-screen time. Also, film critics loved the film’s witty scenes while offering intense action sequences.
Here are the 10 best movies like In Your Eyes:
1. Phenomenon (1996)
English 2h 3m IMDb
Director: Jon Turteltaub
Stars: John Travolta, Kyra Sedgwick, Forest Whitaker
Telekinesis has been a popular subject matter in sci-fi movies, but Phenomenon takes the concept to a more mainstream scenario. The opening scene has flashing lights taking place high above the ground.
The movie’s main character, George Malley (John Travolta), comes out of a bar to investigate the commotion in the sky. In the process, Malley receives telekinetic powers and a new level of intelligence in the encounter with the white flashing light.
And to no surprise, there was town skepticism about the character’s ability to predict global events and learn a foreign language in a matter of minutes.
Movie critics applauded Travolta for a warm, inspiring performance. Phenomenon is not a perfect film, but the pace of the storyline is quite efficient. The script is very funny but offered key dramatic moments that are vital to the ending.
Director Jon Turteltaub created a story that provides the audience with hope as they navigate through everyday life.
2. The Men Who Stare at Goats (2009)
English 1h 34m IMDb
Director: Grant Heslov
Stars: Ewan McGregor, George Clooney, Kevin Spacey
A popular telekinesis movie is the adaptation of Jon Ronson’s book, The Men Who Stare at Goats. The story involves a news reporter chasing to verify a scoop from a soldier during a chance meeting in the Middle East.
The soldier claims to be a part of an elite unit that employs telekinesis on their missions. Now, the reporter must unearth military secrets to expose this new weapon.
No question, The Men Who Stare at Goats has some very humorous scenes as the script is very sarcastic to the premise. The dialogue is more in the line of M*A*S*H and Catch-22. It challenges the audience to ask questions and take nothing for granted.
The cast has some of the biggest names (Ewan McGregor, Jeff Bridges, and George Clooney) in Hollywood and none of the actors’ performances were disappointing.
3. What Men Want (2019)
English 1h 57m IMDb
Director: Adam Shankman
Stars: Taraji P. Henson, Kristen Ledlow, Josh Brener
Not all telekinesis movies have to be dramatic thrillers. No, one of the more popular comedic films of this genre is What Men Want. The script provides some sharpness to Taraji P. Henson’s character.
The plot is about a female sports agent (Ali Davis) who is passed over for a promotion at her job. Davis wonders what it will take to achieve success in a male-dominated profession.
She seeks help from a psychic who concocts an exotic drink that will enhance her work capacity. Suddenly, Davis can hear men’s inner thoughts and fears that she uses to gain high-profile clients.
What Men Want reverses the table on the premise of telekinesis movies. The main character uses her new powers for good as Davis advances her career. The script is written brilliantly. Hanson brings the right energy level to make this movie a success.
4. Modern Problems (1981)
English 1h 33m IMDb
Director: Ken Shapiro
Stars: Chevy Chase, Patti D’Arbanville, Dabney Coleman
Modern Problems is a wacky comedy starring Chevy Chase. His character (Max Fielder) gets dumped by his long-time girlfriend, and then unexpectedly comes into contact with nuclear waste. The accident gives Max telekinesis powers that he wants to use to get back together with his former girlfriend.
The movie offers a few laugh-out-loud scenes as Chase is priceless in using his powers against others. The special effects used in Modern Problems might be a bit dated, but the story’s premise is entertaining.
5. Magic (1978)
English 1h 47m IMDb
Director: Richard Attenborough
Stars: Anthony Hopkins(voice), Ann-Margret, Burgess Meredith
One of the great telekinesis horror films of the late 70s is Magic. The tale goes against other telekinesis movie storylines. The puppet (Fat) is mind-controlling the ventriloquist (Corky Withers).
Anthony Hopkins’ portrayal of the shy, introverted lead character is breathtaking. He falls into the trap of allowing the dummy to become the star of the act. Trouble begins when a female (Peggy Ann Snow) is brought into the equation as Fat feels threatened by her existence.
Director Sir Richard Attenborough creates a wonderful setting that makes it hard to judge what is real or fantasy. Once the audience gets inside Withers’ mind, you find a tortured soul looking for a way out.
However, Fat’s creepiness in each scene is tension-filled and keeps the viewer at bay. First-time watchers of Magic are surprised by the depth of the movie’s storyline, which is cerebral.
6. Lucy (2014)
English 1h 29m IMDb
Director: Luc Besson
Stars: Scarlett Johansson, Morgan Freeman, Choi Min-Sik
One of the surprising cinema hits of 2014 is Lucy, a psycho-thriller that created a new action hero star in Scarlett Johanssen. The movie’s storyline is about a young college girl who gets tricked into delivering a briefcase of drugs by her boyfriend.
His business contacts abducted Lucy and forced her to become a drug mule by surgically implanting the briefcase’s contents into her body. However, a powerful chemical reaction takes place. Lucy turns into a supreme fighting machine. Plus, it gave her telekinesis powers that help to track her attackers.
This movie offers the viewer a thrilling ride by questioning the perception of what is real or a figment of our imagination. Director Luc Besson retains the “hero saves the day” premise by providing incredible action sequences.
Of course, the script is not perfect as the audience cannot determine the film’s genre. Is it a sci-fi or action thriller? But no one can deny that movie-watchers want to see more of Lucy on the big screen.
7. Matilda (1996)
English 1h 38m IMDb
Director: Danny DeVito
Stars: Danny DeVito, Rhea Perlman, Mara Wilson
Modern movie plots involving the portrayal of telekinesis characters fail to advance the storyline without the powers injuring others. Uniquely, the teen comedy, Matilda, offers a fresh, comedic spin to the story.
The movie is about a gifted girl who is raised by terrible parents. Matilda had self-taught herself during their absence away from home. She decides to attend a normal school without receiving her parents’ permission.
But Matilda’s father put a monkey wrench into her plans. He places Matilda in a school with a wicked principal, Agatha Trunchbull, in charge.
Over time, Matilda learns she has telekinesis powers that help her classmates fight back against Trunchbull’s constant threats. Also, Matilda uses her newfound powers to neutralize her parents’ schemes.
Children above 10 years old will worship this movie. Mara Wilson shines in the lead role as she captures the essence of how the character was written in the book.
Director Danny DeVito (who also played Matilda’s father) created a kids’ film classic that adults will enjoy watching as well. Devito was wise to stick to Hollywood tradition in making the villain eviler, which allows the protagonist’s triumph to become more satisfying.
8. The Fury (1978)
English 1h 58m IMDb
Director: Brian De Palma
Stars: Kirk Douglas, John Cassavetes, Carrie Snodgress
The late 70s brought a style of telekinesis movies that depicted world destruction with the power of the mind. The 1978 film adaptation of the 1976 novel, The Fury, was the highlight of this genre.
The movie’s storyline is about an ex-CIA agent working with a young telekinesis woman to locate his abducted son, who was kidnapped for his extraordinary skills. The agent learns the kidnappers were part of a rogue CIA team led by his trusted co-worker.
They want to use his son’s telekinesis powers as a weapon against Cold War enemy Russia.
The Fury is a movie that was made ahead of its time. Granted, some of the viewers might feel the special effects used are outdated, but you cannot argue about the film’s pace. The action is fast and highly entertaining.
The cast (Kirk Douglas, Amy Irving, Andrew Stevens, and John Cassavetes) gave first-class performances in their roles. Director Brian De Palma is brilliant in creating a cinematic atmosphere that mixes science fiction, horror, and spy thriller into one enjoyable film.
9. Carrie (1976)
English 1h 38m IMDb
Director: Brian De Palma
Stars: Sissy Spacek, Piper Laurie, Amy Irving
Carrie is one of the most spectacular telekinesis horror films ever made. It was the first of Steven King’s novels to be brought to the silver screen. Carrie is a young teenage social outcast who is afraid of her telekinesis powers.
But, she learns how to use her skills successfully against high school bullies and her religious zealot mom. Carrie’s interaction with others could be awkward but brought spine-chilling moments throughout the movie. The film’s final act will keep you on the edge of your seat.
Carrie is another telekinesis classic from the mind of Brian DePalma. He effectively filmed the movie without foreshadowing what lies ahead in the story. The movie resonates with those individuals who were deemed social outcasts in their youth.
10. Scanners (1981)
English 1h 43m IMDb
Director: David Cronenberg
Stars: Jennifer O’Neill, Stephen Lack, Patrick McGoohan
The all-time best telekinesis horror movie is Scanners. Director David Cronenberg brings to life a group of telekinesis who are engaged in a fight against one another. A private military firm has plotted the conflicts to gain control of the group’s telekinesis powers.
At the time of the film’s release, Scanners was not well-received by movie reviewers or film watchers. Now, it has reached cult-classic status. The craftwork of the filming is the movie’s main attraction, especially in the area of the fight scenes.
The highlight is the special effects used to enhance these sequences. No question, Cronenberg did not create your average horror film. Instead, he has a great psychological thriller that has the audience wanting more from this group of characters.
Summary
Cinema audiences love telekinesis movies because the powers are even the playing field for the film’s protagonist or provide a “good vs evil” when the villain with telekinesis prowess is defeated.
In the best movies like In Your Eyes, the main character refrains from using their powers until they have reached a breaking point. It is the viewer’s fantasy that plays out in each movie’s storyline.
