Most films usually rely on the traditional three-act structure, where you have an introduction, a conflict, and finally, a resolution that ties everything together. The formula is guaranteed to work with audiences of all kinds, since our brains are actually wired to anticipate that kind of rhythm. Filmmakers all over the world use this technique of giving the viewers sudden bursts of action to retain their attention.

However, now and then, a film dares to break away from that kind of predictability and experiments with timelines or character arcs that emphasize thoughtfulness over speed. When a story isn’t rushing toward a conclusion, it’s categorized as a slow-burn, which forces you to sit with difficult emotions. If that sounds a bit too complex, here’s a list of essential slow-burn movies that will definitely change your mind.

10

‘The Shining’ (1980)

The Shining is undoubtedly one of the greatest psychological horror films ever made. However, if you really think about it, the movie defies the genre’s traditional structure and really takes its time to set the scene. In fact, many people consider the Stephen King adaptation to be too slow in the first half. That’s exactly the point, though! The Shining, directed by Stanley Kubrick, stars Jack Nicholson as Jack Torrance, a man who begins to lose his mind while serving as the winter caretaker of the isolated Overlook Hotel. What makes the film such a perfect example of the slow-burn approach is the way Kubrick builds dread through the atmosphere. You don’t immediately find out that The Overlook is haunted, and even when you do discover the hotel’s dark history, it’s kept ambiguous to an extent, just to build tension.

You can never really tell whether some supernatural forces are causing Jack’s violent outbursts or if it’s just cabin fever and alcoholism hitting him a little too hard. The score of the film is a character in itself and really adds a lot of drama to the film’s intentional pacing. Juxtaposing silence with visibly horrific scenes, such as Danny’s (Danny Lloyd) first encounter with the Grady twins, contributes to that unsettling feeling that Kubrick was so obviously going for with the film. Nicholson’s famously unhinged performance in the climax is the payoff you wait for, but it only works because of the two hours of carefully orchestrated, creeping sense of dread before it. Not to mention that the entire point of the film is to see how Jack slowly descends into madness. If that journey was rushed and overly dramatized, The Shining would have never felt as immersive an experience as it is.

9

‘Mulholland Drive’ (2001)

Another film that perfects the art of the slow-burn is David Lynch’s surrealist neo-noir mystery, Mulholland Drive. What I love about this film is that it’s not rushing to reach to a conclusion. Some might argue that the climax is the whole point of a movie, but not when the journey itself is so captivating. Lynch has a way with deliberately stretching time and making scenes feel almost unbearable at times, in a good way, of course. The plot of the film is simpler than it sounds. You have Betty (Naomi Watts), a rising actress in Los Angeles, who befriends Rita (Laura Harring), a woman suffering from amnesia after a car accident, and the two set out to find out the truth about Rita’s identity. What might sound like a typical mystery turns into this story where timelines are fractured and the line between reality and hallucinations stops existing.

It’s almost as if Lynch wants to take the audience into a dreamlike state where they are forced to let go of logic and the concept of identity itself. This kind of pacing is nothing but deliberate, so Mulholland Drive is not the film for you if you’re looking for instant gratification. The iconic scene where a man recounts his nightmare at the diner is painstakingly slow. However, it is one of the most unsettling sequences in cinema because Lynch lets it unfold with suffocating patience. When the man finally comes face-to-face with the figure haunting him, you almost expect it, but that doesn’t make it any less terrifying. I have to appreciate Watts for her brilliant acting because her performance is what really grounds this fantastical story. Ultimately, you don’t watch Mulholland Drive to solve a mystery, you watch to surrender yourself to the plot and whatever weird, loopy rhythm it takes.

8

‘2001: A Space Odyssey’ (1968)

An additional Kubrick classic on this list is2001: A Space Odyssey, which stands as one of science fiction’s most influential films ever made. Now for a genre focused on technological advancement,You’d expect for its plot to be fast-paced and full of spectacle. However,Kubrick obviously turns that expectation on its head and slows things down to actually make you question what it all means.The story follows astronaut Dr. Dave Bowman(Keir Dullea), who embarks on an expedition into deep space when their ship’s computer begins malfunctioning inexplicably.The movie serves as a philosophical exploration between humans and machines, highlighting potential catastrophic consequences.

The heart of this narrative lies within its details,, lingering silences, and disorienting visuals meant to overwhelm audiences.Kubrick’s ability to create realistic depictions of humanity’s future before moon landing adds another layer of intrigue.

This sci-fi epic isn’t merely about action or loud explosions; instead,The Thing explores existential themes without spoon-feeding answers.

A lot of its deliberately slow sequences remind viewers how quickly humans normalize extraordinary achievements.The final twenty action-packed minutes carry immense impact due largely due its slow-burn approach.

7
‘Alien’ (1979)

If you ask me,Ridley Scott’sAlienwas ahead its time.The science fiction horror flick considered greatest films genrebut people often overlook how much leans on slow pace.