10 Shocking Examples Of Gaslighting In Movies

Based on the beloved novel by Roald Dahl, Matilda (played by the solid Twitter-follow, Mara Wilson) is a precocious, genius young girl born into a family of oafish swindlers. At school, she finds a caring mentor in Miss Honey who has a dysfunctional family of her own. As Matilda ages, her self confidence grows, as does her rebellious nature against those who abuse their power.

Though her parents are nasty and cruel, the most abusive person in Matilda’s life is the headmaster of her school, Miss Trunchbull. A fan of corporal punishment, Trunchbull runs the school with an iron rod. Trunchbull, it is later revealed, is also the aunt of Miss Honey.

Matilda’s supreme intelligence is so powerful that it gives her telekinetic powers, a similar talent depicted much less successfully that same year in Phenomenon. A child with the power to move things with her mind could be enough to terrify an abusive headmaster, driving her to madness.

But Matilda goes one step beyond, using her powers to trick Trunchbull into believing the ghost of the brother she murdered is stalking her, not only driving her away but inducing her confession. It’s an instance where gaslighting is used by the little guy against those in power.