FilmsThe MagicianLike this

Films like The Magician.

The Magician (1958) reads as Sombre, measured, measured drama, inventive in texture. Nihilistic, intimate, cold. Every film below is ranked by distance across the same twelve hand-scored axes — with what it keeps, and where it walks away. Not a genre dump.

Viridiana (1961) poster
1. Viridiana1961

Keeps the cold, bleak undertow and the patient, unhurried pace — one of the nearest reads in the catalogue.

Belle de Jour (1967) poster
2. Belle de Jour1967

Keeps the patient, unhurried pace and the unmistakable directorial hand — one of the nearest reads in the catalogue.

Tristana (1970) (1970) poster
3. Tristana1970

Keeps the cold, bleak undertow and the patient, unhurried pace — one of the nearest reads in the catalogue.

Lola Montès (1955) poster
4. Lola Montès1955

Keeps the patient, unhurried pace and the unmistakable directorial hand — one of the nearest reads in the catalogue.

Vertigo (1958) poster
5. Vertigo1958

Keeps the cold, bleak undertow and the patient, unhurried pace — one of the nearest reads in the catalogue.

The Innocents(1961)1961
6. The Innocents1961

Keeps the cold, bleak undertow and the patient, unhurried pace — one of the nearest reads in the catalogue.

Sunset Boulevard (1950) poster
7. Sunset Boulevard1950

Keeps the cold, bleak undertow and the pitch-dark outlook — one of the nearest reads in the catalogue.

Pale Flower (1964) poster
8. Pale Flower1964

Keeps the cold, bleak undertow and the patient, unhurried pace — one of the nearest reads in the catalogue.

Él (This Strange Passion) (1953) poster
9. Él (This Strange Passion)1953

Keeps the cold, bleak undertow and the patient, unhurried pace — one of the nearest reads in the catalogue.

A Report on the Party and Guests (1966) poster
10. A Report on the Party and Guests1966

Keeps the cold, bleak undertow and the unmistakable directorial hand — one of the nearest reads in the catalogue.

The American Soldier (1970) poster
11. The American Soldier1970

Keeps the cold, bleak undertow and the patient, unhurried pace — one of the nearest reads in the catalogue.

Nazarin (1959) (1959) poster
12. Nazarin1959

Keeps the cold, bleak undertow and the patient, unhurried pace — one of the nearest reads in the catalogue.

These are The Magician’s neighbours — where are yours?

Rate five posters and the same twelve axes read you — then tonight’s pick comes from your own centre of taste.

Find my film for tonight — 60 sec →