# The Machinist (2004)

> An emaciated factory machinist haunted by yearlong insomnia chases a phantom coworker through a paranoid maze of guilt and fractured perception.

Canonical page: https://ember.film/movie/2631

## Facts

- Runtime: 102 min
- Genres: Thriller, Drama
- Director: Brad Anderson
- Cast: Christian Bale, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Aitana Sánchez-Gijón, John Sharian, Michael Ironside, Lawrence Gilliard Jr., Reg E. Cathey, Anna Massey
- TMDB rating: 7.5/10
- IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0361862/

## Ember's analysis

- Pacing: measured
- Intensity: strong
- Complexity: layered
- Violence: moderate
- Mood: oppressive, paranoid, bleak, late night viewing, dark movie marathon

## Synopsis

A haunting exploration of the human psyche, where sleeplessness leads to paranoia and despair.

## Movies like The Machinist

- [Jacob's Ladder (1990)](https://ember.film/movie/1610)
- [Cypher (2002)](https://ember.film/movie/5246)
- [Stay (2005)](https://ember.film/movie/3944)
- [Insomnia (2002)](https://ember.film/movie/273)
- [Memento (2000)](https://ember.film/movie/49)
- [Light Sleeper (1992)](https://ember.film/movie/22561)
- [Shutter Island (2010)](https://ember.film/movie/6310)
- [Session 9 (2001)](https://ember.film/movie/6004)
- [Fear X (2003)](https://ember.film/movie/23614)
- [Anna (2013)](https://ember.film/movie/130472)

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