10 Movies Where the Main Character’s Life Continuously Gets Worse

Welcome to our countdown of Reddit's top ten movies, where the main character's life continuously worsens. These films will take you on an emotional rollercoaster as you watch the protagonist's fortunes take a turn for the worse at every turn. So get ready for a cinematic journey filled with twists and turns as we delve into the depths of human despair and the resilience of the human spirit.

1. A Serious Man (2009)

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Joel and Ethan Coen direct this movie. It is a dark comedy-drama film that follows the life of Larry Gopnik, a Jewish physics professor whose life begins to unravel after his wife leaves him, his son gets arrested, and his brother becomes a burden. The film stars Michael Stuhlbarg as Larry Gopnik.

2. Requiem for a Dream (2000)

Image Credit: Artisan Entertainment

Requiem for a Dream, directed by Darren Aronofsky, is a drama film that follows the lives of four individuals whose addictions lead to the deterioration of their lives. The film stars Ellen Burstyn, Jared Leto, Jennifer Connelly, and Marlon Wayans.

3. Uncut Gems (2019)

Image Credit: A24

Benny and Josh Safdie direct the film Uncut Gems, a crime-thriller starring Adam Sandler as Howard Ratner. Ratner is a jewelry store owner and gambling addict whose life spirals out of control as he becomes deeply entrenched in debt and dangerous situations. 

4. Leaving Las Vegas (1995)

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Leaving Las Vegas, directed by Mike Figgis, is a drama film that follows the life of Ben Sanderson, an alcoholic screenwriter who moves to Las Vegas to take his own life. The film stars Nicolas Cage as Ben Sanderson and Elisabeth Shue as Sera, an adult worker.

5. The Banshees of Inisherin (2022)

Image Credit: Searchlight Pictures

The Banshees of Inisherin is directed by J. A Bayona. It is a psychological thriller film that follows a young archaeologist's life turned upside down when she unearths a mysterious artifact and starts experiencing terrifying hallucinations and supernatural events. The film stars Daisy Ridley as the archaeologist and Liam Neeson as her mentor.

6. Inside Llewyn Davis (2013)

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Inside Llewyn Davis is a dramedy directed by the Coen Brothers, starring Oscar Isaac. The movie is set in the 1960s and follows a struggling folk singer trying to make a name for himself in the Greenwich Village music scene. Despite his talent, Llewyn's life seems to go nowhere as he faces rejection, poverty, and personal issues.

7. Falling Down (1993)

Image Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures

Falling Down is a crime thriller directed by Joel Schumacher and starring Michael Douglas. The movie follows a man who, after losing his job and being separated from his family, snaps and goes on a violent journey through the streets of Los Angeles.

8. After Hours (1985)

Image Credit: The Geffen Company

After Hours is a black comedy directed by Martin Scorsese, starring Griffin Dunne. The movie follows a man who gets caught up in a series of bizarre and dangerous situations after a chance encounter with a woman while trying to make it back home during one wild night in New York City.

9. Joker (2019)

Image Credit: Warner Bros. Pictures

Joker is a psychological thriller directed by Todd Phillips and starring Joaquin Phoenix. The movie follows the story of Arthur Fleck, a failed stand-up comedian who turns to a life of crime and chaos in Gotham City, eventually becoming the infamous Joker from the Batman universe.

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10. The Butterfly Effect (2004)

Image Credit: New Line Cinema

The Butterfly Effect is a psychological thriller directed by Eric Bress and J. Mackye Gruber. It stars Ashton Kutcher. The movie follows a man who, after discovering he can travel back in time, tries to change his past to improve his present but makes things worse with each attempt.

We hope you enjoyed this Reddit picks for films where the main character's life continuously worsens. This article was inspired by the internet and did not necessarily reflect the views of Finance Quick Fix.

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