Which “small” indie game/film/book hit you harder than most blockbusters?
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Chappie might be borderline, but it goes so hard emotionally for a movie that basically had no critical reception.
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This was such a good interactive story. Took me less than a day to go through it, but there are some sections I will never forget. The bathtub and the fish plant created some crazy emotions, I was happy to piece together what was happening, but then I had to see it through without any way to avoid the inevitable.
(Trying to stay ambiguous for anyone who wants to check out it. You totally should!)
Jeez the fish plant hit hard. As it would for many gamers.
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This game singlehandedly destroyed my negative perspective on walking simulators. Legit must-play for everyone. Lewis' scene still makes me tear up.
I absolutely agree.
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I thought a game like To The Moon would have been high up, but everyone has their own tastes.
Though, I will say, the sequel, Finding Paradise, is definitely worth it and is my choice. Even with the little bits of comedy and things that take away from the seriousness of the story, it's still an amazing story. Just as good as To The Moon, if you ask me.
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Indeed. Let me add some more to the list:
Black Bear (2020) slow burn twisted story, Aubrey Plaza knocks it out of the park with her performance.
The Neon Demon (2016) even more twisted and not for the faint of heart. Visually stunning.
The Substance (2024) calling this one twisted would be an understatement. I feel like this is pushing the definition of an indie movie because it’s got blockbuster production values.
The Zero Theorem (2013) and Pi (1998) kind of hitting the same notes of crazy. The former especially worth watching because of Christoph Walz.
Titane (2021) it’s been a while that I watched it but it definitely left an impression. Also not an easy watch.
Swallow (2020) is about a girl developing a disturbingly unhealthy coping mechanism.
The Outrun (2024) hit way too close to home for me. Beautiful and sad movie. Shoutout to Saoirse Ronan.
Splice (2009) this one gets WEIRD oh boy lol
Adam’s Apples (2005) classic danish dark humor also Mads Mikkelsen!
Garden State (2004) awkward Zach Braff humor that feels very personal.
And if you feel like permanently traumatizing yourself then I can recommend Irréversible (2002) and any other Gaspar Noé movie.
Somehow you made me think about a few more titles:
Weird stuff: Tetsuo: The Iron Man, a japanese sci-fi/horror movie that is difficult to place anywhere. Delicatessen is still weird, but more conventional. Cemetery Man is technically an horror, but with a unique twist and style. Plan 9 from Outer Space is considered one of worst films ever and it's so bad that Tim Burton made a film about its author (which is instead great cinema).
Animation: A Scanner Darkly from the terrific Dick's novel. For the fans of Van Gogh: Loving Vincent. Fritz the Cat, a cartoon for adults from way before it was a thing.
Comedies: Clerks made me laugh quite a lot and it's not even just a silly shallow movie, Juno which is more for teenagers maybe, This is the End if you are into Seth Roger's type of hirony,
With a mood: The Great Beauty is indeed beautiful, All About My Mother or anything by Almodóvar if you want to cry a bit, Lost in Translation recreates well the feeling of being out of place, A Love Song for Bobby Long an underestimated gem, or Broken Flowers.
Musical: Pink Floyd: The Wall is simply amazing. The Rocky Horror Picture Show was (still is?) a cultural phenomenon for decades.
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Games:
- To the Moon
- Gris
- Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons
- This War of Mine
- Inked: A Tale of Love
- Papers, Please
Movies (this list I had to think about for a while...):
- 50/50 (2011)
- Amour (2012)
- The Station Agent (2003)
- Columbus (2017)
- The Diving Bell and the Butterfly (2007)
Books:
- The Bookshop
- The Lives of Others
Edit: spelling
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Thomas was alone. Never have I had such strong feelings for a bunch squares and rectangles
Totally agree. Such awesome writing!
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Relevant XKCD https://xkcd.com/657/ and the reason I watched Primer in the first place. After dozens of watches I think that perhaps it's possible the graph is relatively correct (maybe)
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What does hit hard mean? Does it have to be emotionally impactful? Is positively surprised enough?
- Sheepy has great atmosphere (free)
- Halloween Hidden Capybaras with Orange and Pumpkins has great atmosphere, looks great (free)
I remember a game I played a long time ago touched me, but I can't find my review of it.
I found the VR title Surge was great, but it doesn't seem to be available in the Steam store anymore. I sat down and watched and looked around, and the music and visuals had great impact.
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Game no one's mentioned yet: Look Outside
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Love the Cube series, knew it was low budget, but not ‘that’ low!
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Love the Cube series, knew it was low budget, but not ‘that’ low!
I'm sure the others had a bigger budget, but yeah, the first one was hardly anything.
Of course they only needed to build one room, part of another, and then just change the lighting over and over.
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Honestly, all of them.
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Primer. Like $12k budget, mostly cost of film.
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Chappie might be borderline, but it goes so hard emotionally for a movie that basically had no critical reception.
I couldn't get past the crappy acting. It was like watching high schoolers try to make Tarantino dialogue work
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Games: INSIDE, We Happy Few
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Cuno hurt your feelings too, huh? I had to find health and recover after I spoke to him.
That fucking little rat, played this game so long ago but still remember his voice.
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Games:
- To the Moon
- Gris
- Brothers: A Tale of Two Sons
- This War of Mine
- Inked: A Tale of Love
- Papers, Please
Movies (this list I had to think about for a while...):
- 50/50 (2011)
- Amour (2012)
- The Station Agent (2003)
- Columbus (2017)
- The Diving Bell and the Butterfly (2007)
Books:
- The Bookshop
- The Lives of Others
Edit: spelling
gris froze for me at the bird fight, uninstalled because the game was unplayable
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Game: Who's Lila?
Film: Lake Mungo
Beat me to it. First thing to mind was Lake Mungo.
