Hipsters are secretly the coolest parts of their movies. With their philosophy of refusing the norm and thinking of simplicity as beauty. It remains anyone’s opinion if hipsters influence movies and their characters, or if movies and their characters influence hipsters. Either way, one can gleam of how some characters come off as cool, stylish and thought-provoking.
With that, for those self-proclaimed hipsters out there, here are the best films which are influential to the hipster subculture, or which one can best identify with. So, cue the classic 80’s rock mixtape and switch on the theater projector for these films.
Her (2013)
Unlike other movies on this list, Her is set on a not-so-distant future, centering on a lonely man named Theodore and his fling with an augmented OS named Samantha. They take it easily with their relationship until he is confronted about the authenticity of his AI relationship.
The film is a cautionary tale of contemporary relationships seeing a second life online. And it never strays away from heavy discussions about love and its sacrifices. Likewise, Joaquin Phoenix as Theodore Twombly has a classic hipster look. And just trigger the hipster bone more, Arcade Fire took charge of the music. Awesome!
(500) Days of Summer (2009)
Unrequited romances are a famous trope in pop culture. For this 2009 indie darling, an unrequited romance is the front and center of this “not” love story of boy-meets-girl. Joseph Gordon-Levitt plays Tom, a hopeless romantic who falls for his new coworker Summer (Zooey Deschanel). But as they dive into a mutual connection, Summer’s apathetic views on love wrecks Tom’s idea of his manic pixie dream girl fantasy.
But secretly, (500) Days of Summer is emblematic of hipster couture and culture. With Tom’s and Summer’s outfits and the soundtrack that has The Smiths and Regina Spektor, it is that on-the-nose.
Fight Club (1999)
No one has to talk about Fight Club. But hipsters would, just to show their dedication on a supreme cult classic. More than just a truly celebrated film about soap making and penguins, it is a powerful film from director David Fincher who deeply explored the psyche of Tyler Durden with a satirical bite and fourth-wall awareness.
On the hipster side of the film though, check the style that Durden and his love interest Marla would always have on. And beyond the revolutionary filmmaking style, the cinematography by Jeff Cronenweth is visual poetry for hipsters, especially on its mesmerizing ending.
Amélie (2001)
Amélie Poulain is the textbook definition of a manic pixie dream girl, whose eclectic quirkiness, unfathomable giddiness and whimsical perceptiveness sent her to a colorful journey of spreading joy to the people around her. That is just a surface-level description of how gratifying this movie is.
But on Amélie herself, she is celebrated as a representation of unabashed optimism in a pessimistic world. Her joy is exemplified in the littlest of quirks, even if she is fully aware of her inconveniences. For that, she becomes a personification of “happiness” for those needing more light. Clearly, quirky is the new happy.
Donnie Darko (2001)
Hipster culture is not limited to fashion, though Jake Gyllenhaal’s wardrobe for Donnie Darko directly falls into that category. But hipster culture qualifies any mass product that projects philosophical thoughts and mirrors popular culture from the bygone eras. Thus, this Richard Kelly thinkpiece is an immediate qualifier for its thought-provoking themes, its narrative layers of analyses, its dark nostalgia and its meta interpretations.
More can be experienced from Donnie Darko to brace its creepiness And while its dark ideas may let this fall on the emo side, Donnie Darko is that rare indie flick that broke norms of film formula.
The Big Lebowski (1998)
The Dude is the prime definition of cool. With his aloof sensibility, his slacker lifestyle, his penchant for rugs and his love for bowling, the Dude is an accidental hero to the subculture that he even inspired a global movement. Call it Jeff Bridges’ signature role.
With that out of the way, it is reasonable to see why this Coen Brothers masterpiece resonated with hipsters. The lines are nearly quotable, as per Coens. The narrative vibe is gratifying, even if it goes to dark places. And the later analyses are worth visiting. The Big Lebowski ties the hipsters’ love together.
Scott Pilgrim Vs. the World (2010)
Being based on a cult hit graphic novel series, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World is immediately a sensation towards nerds and subculture enthusiasts, even if it bombed in the box office. Subsequently, it got attention as one of the most overlooked films of the 2010s. And rightfully so.
This Edgar Wright cult hit had all the ingredients for the ideal hipster movie: the indie band Sex Bob-Omb at the center, the effortless wardrobe, the videogame aesthetics, the rocking music, the presence of the manic pixie dream girl Ramona Flowers (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) and the character of Scott himself (Michael Cera).
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)
It takes for truly heartbreaking romances to touch the hearts of one audience. Take Michel Gondry’s masterpiece Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, a story by Charlie Kaufman about a man named Joel (Jim Carrey) who takes part on a procedure to remove his ex-girlfriend Clementine (Kate Winslet) from his mind but not much his heart.
Besides the heart-wrenching romance and the wonderful script, Eternal Sunshine is an immersive experience with a haunting contemporary reality that nearly reflects the current generation moved by the subculture. Almost every frame, tinted in drab colors, fits the mood. And the fashion does well.
Lost in Translation (2003)
Bill Murray’s most famous dramatic turn as seasoned actor Bob Harris is a surprise in 2003, as well as Scarlett Johansson’s bittersweet performance as a fellow vagabond who stumbled upon Harris in a foreign realm. There is more from there as their connection lead them to confront isolation, cross-culture differences, sleeplessness, existential crisis and love.
More than just a fashion statement, Lost in Translation is a melancholic love story that keeps its coolness solely from Harris’ mordant worldview and Charlotte’s fledgling uncertainties to how they clash in bittersweet Tokyo. And in Sofia Coppola’s direction, it is a poignant hipster’s tale.
The Royal Tenenbaums (2001)
Wes Anderson has been known for his quirky sensibilities in his film aesthetics. From the use of classical pop songs and the love for vintage items, Anderson is one of the best accidental heroes for hipsters. His distinctive visual and narrative style veers well to subculture. And every film has a special touch for hipsters. From Rushmore to Moonrise Kingdom. From Fantastic Mr. Fox to The Grand Budapest Hotel.
But the Wes Anderson motion picture that had the most representation for hipsters is The Royal Tenenbaums. This bittersweet portrait of a dysfunctional family, led by the divisive Royal Tenenbaum (Gene Hackman), was a showcase for the idiosyncrasy of each character, projected by its iconic title sequence. The olden soundtrack is there to stay. And the wayward wardrobe, most especially from Margo (Gwyneth Paltrow) and Richie (Luke Wilson), is iconic.
For that, The Royal Tenenbaums is the best hipster movie ever.