10 Shocking Examples Of Gaslighting In Movies

Nacho Vigalondo's 2016 science fiction pseudo-kaiju film tackles many heavy topics. Its protagonist Gloria (Anne Hathaway) is an alcoholic, newly single, and has recently traveled back to her hometown. While her alcoholic struggles have negatively affected her personal life, more concerning is that they have somehow led to her being metaphysically tied to a gigantic creature that destroys South Korea.

But Gloria's addiction and the monumental destruction it brings is not the only monster encountered in the film. Though seemingly sweet and caring at first, Gloria's childhood friend Oscar becomes possessive and controlling throughout the film. Ultimately, his lust for Gloria leads him to be in control of a monster of his own, and he uses the threat of destroying an entire city to control the woman who is not interested in him.

Hints of Oscar's bad intentions are noticeable from the start. He brings items into Gloria's house- a couch, a TV- that he claims she was interested in while drunk. Rather than playing on a character's insanity, Colossal features a man taking advantage of a woman's struggles with substance abuse. Did Gloria really say she wanted help furnishing her house? Or is this all a way for Oscar to get closer to her?