Over on the podcast, we've been discussing the films of director Paul Schrader. In our first series, we covered his first three films: Blue Collar, Hardcore, and American Gigolo. We then took a look at films from late in Schrader's career, films that further delve into the idea of "a man alone in his room": Affliction, First Reformed, and The Card Counter. Below, we've compiled a list of films you might enjoy if you enjoyed the Schrader slate. (These don't include the films of Robert Bresson, but every Bresson film is recommended in relation to Schrader.)
Films recommended if you like...the early years
Car Wash, 1976 dir. Michael Schultz
On the Waterfront, 1954 dir. Elia Kazan
8mm, 1998 dir. Joel Schumacher
Joe, 1970 dir. John G. Avildsen
Blow Out, 1981 dir. Brian De Palma
My Own Private Idaho, 1991 dir. Gus Van Sant
Films recommended if you like...the later years
The Wolf of Snow Hollow 2020, dir. Jim Cummings
A Simple Plan, 1998, dir. Sam Raimi
The Seventh Seal, 1957, dir. Ingmar Bergman
Winter Light, 1963, dir. Ingmar Bergman
The Good Thief, 2002, dir Neil Jordan
Croupier, 1998, dir. Mike Hodges
In a later series, we'll be exploring Schrader's screenplays.