The biopic (or biographical picture) has been a staple of cinema since its inception. As much as audiences love to escape reality and be whisked away into fictional worlds and fantastical adventures, there’s something to be said for movies that draw from incredible real-life stories. Creating a unique form of escapism, biopics have the ability to immerse viewers in the lives of remarkable individuals who have experienced triumphs and struggles of their own, allowing audiences to connect with them on a deeper level.
With so many biopics out there, dating back to early films like The Story of the Kelly Gang (1906) and Cecil B. DeMille’s The Sign of the Cross (1932) to more recent hits like King Richard (2021) and Oppenheimer (2023), it’s not surprising that some fly under the radar or fade into obscurity.
Here are ten films based on the lives of various individuals, ranging from quirky musicals to intense dramas about heavy metal music, which, due to various circumstances, have not managed to make a significant impact on popular film culture.
10
‘Auto Focus’ (2002)
Auto Focus revolves around actor Bob Crane, who found fame with the ’60s war drama Hogan’s Heroes. After the show was canceled, his life spiraled out of control, descending into a wild world of sex addiction and excess. This lifestyle was fueled by his troubled friendship with videographer John Henry Carpenter, who recorded many of their sexual encounters. In 1978, Crane was found bludgeoned to death, and Carpenter was tried for the murder but was later acquitted in 1994 due to insufficient evidence.
A Real-Life Mystery
Director Paul Schrader, known for exploring dark psychological themes in Taxi Driver, Hardcore, and American Gigolo, brought a stylized yet haunting approach to Crane’s real-life mystery in America’s seedy underbelly. Failing to recoup its costs at the box office, Auto Focus went relatively unnoticed at the time of its release but was praised by critics for its unflinching look at addiction and self-destruction, as well as its strong lead performances from Greg Kinnear and Willem Dafoe as Bob Crane and John Henry Carpenter, respectively.
9
‘Cobb’ (1994)
Cobb is a sports drama film starring Tommy Lee Jones as record-breaking baseball player Ty Cobb, one of the sport’s biggest success stories in the early 1900s. Exploring the complexities of the player, it focuses on his later years as he collaborates with writer Al Stump on his autobiography.
‘Cobb’ Offers a Raw and Unfiltered Look at the Man Behind the Legend
Cobb was a complicated man of extremes and contradictions. An undeniable master of his craft, he was also arrogant, racist, and aggressive. The film doesn’t shy away from exploring these flaws. Lacking the typical feel-good nature of traditional sports films and portraying an American hero as a deeply flawed, somewhat unlikeable character made it a tough sell to the American public. The movie was a flop at the box office and has since slipped into obscurity. That said, those looking for a thought-provoking character study carried by an intense and gripping lead performance might appreciate Cobb.
8
‘I Shot Andy Warhol’ (1996)
As the name suggests, I Shot Andy Warhol revolves around the attempted assassination of visual artist Andy Warhol. It tells the story of Valerie Solanas, the radical feminist and writer who created the SCUM Manifesto, as she gradually descended into paranoia and obsession, ultimately leading to her assassination attempt on Warhol in 1968.
An Indie Classic
Lacking the major funding of many of its counterparts, I Shot Andy Warhol is more indie darling than summer blockbuster, with its avant-garde style and focus on unconventional storytelling. It delves into the fringe elements of both feminist ideology and the 1960s art scene. With strong performances from Lili Taylor as Valerie Solanas and Stephen Dorff as the transgender Warhol Superstar Candy Darling, along with a hypnotic score composed by John Cale of the Velvet Underground, I Shot Andy Warhol remains a classic for those interested in 1960s counterculture.
7
‘Lords of Chaos’ (2018)
Told from the perspective of Mayhem co-founder Euronymous, Lords of Chaos explores the ’90s Norwegian black metal scene. For those unfamiliar with this era, it was marked by horrific events that often overshadowed the music, including murder, suicide, and the occasional church burning.
‘Lords of Chaos’ Verisimilitude Has Been Brought into Question
Many fans of the Norwegian black metal scene, as well as some of the band members depicted in the film, have been vocal about the verisimilitude of Lords of Chaos, disputing how accurately it portrays the horrific true events on which it’s based.
Allowing for some artistic license, Lords of Chaos is, in itself, a well-made and well-performed, gritty, and compelling story of isolation, nihilism, and depravity, with a few hints of humor (albeit as dark as the metal music it’s based on). Much like Euronymous’ music, however, Lords of Chaos is targeted at a niche market, making it unsurprising that the film remains somewhat obscure compared to other music biopics.
6
‘Control’ (2007)
Control”, a biographical film about Joy Division frontman Ian Curtis, was initially met with minimal attention from the general public, earning only $8.9 million at the box office. However, it garnered widespread acclaim from critics, winning the Best Film award at the 2007 Evening Standard British Film Awards and achieving an impressive 88% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
‘Control’ Was a Critical Hit
Presented in black and white, director Anton Corbijn perfectly captures the essence of a deeply complex character and his struggles with mental health and epilepsy. Serving as both a tribute to Curtis’ musical legacy and a poignant portrayal of his life, Control may not have reached the same levels of commercial success as other music biopics, but it certainly stands among the best of them.
5
‘Joy’ (2015)
Based on entrepreneur and self-made millionaire Joy Mangano, Joy stars Jennifer Lawrence in the titular role, telling a story of resilience and determination as she fights her way to the top of the male-dominated business world. Lawrence shines in her powerful and authentic portrayal of a woman driven by ambition and passion. Robert De Niro is also a highlight as Joy’s father—the source of both frustration and motivation for her.
‘Joy’ Has Been Overshadowed by Bigger Biopics
The 2010s saw the release of some of the biggest and best biopics in the genre’s history, with films like Bohemian Rhapsody, Rocketman, The Wolf of Wall Street, and The Greatest Showman dominating the box office. While Joy was a hit with both critics and audiences at the time, it failed to match the success of these films and has since been overshadowed, unfortunately fading into the background of movie history.
4
‘Basquiat’ (1996)
Jean-Michel Basquiat was an American postmodernist/neo-expressionist artist. Mentored by Andy Warhol, he used his graffiti roots as a foundation to create collage-style paintings on canvases. A rags-to-riches story, Basquiat was a man of many talents; a groundbreaking artist by profession, he was also plagued by addiction and psychological struggles as he tried to navigate the world of high art as a young Black man.
‘Basquiat’ Is a Movie About a Painter Made by Another Painter
Basquiat was written and directed by Julian Schnabel, who first gained international attention for his “plate paintings” in the 1980s. The film marked his feature film debut. Now known for his bold and expressive arthouse film style, Schnabel has since gone on to direct Before Night Falls and The Diving Bell and the Butterfly—the latter earning him an Oscar nomination for Best Director.
3
‘Kafka’ (1991)
As a passionate film enthusiast, I’d like to share my thoughts on Steven Soderbergh’s second cinematic masterpiece, “Kafka.” At first glance, it appears to be a biopic chronicling the life of Franz Kafka, but upon closer examination, it transcends this simple definition.
The film masterfully blurs the boundaries between reality and Kafka’s own literary creations, making it an avant-garde cinematic experience that thrives on its absurdity and oppressive tension.
‘Kafka’ Is an Uncompromising Piece of Work That Split Critical Opinion
Shot in black and white, Soderbergh makes no attempt to pander to mainstream expectations, instead choosing to lean into Kafka’s trademark sense of absurdism and surrealism. Disorienting and uncompromising, Kafka flopped at the box office and divided critics—some appreciated its unique approach to the biopic genre, while others felt it failed to match the artistic success of its subject.
2
‘Talk to Me’ (1996)
Don Cheadle stars as Ralph “Petey” Greene, an ex-con who became a popular talk show host and community activist in Washington, D.C. The movie focuses on his relationship with his friend and manager Dewey Hughes, as well as his personal struggles, political activism, and his lasting impact on radio.
From the Streets to the Airwaves
Talk to Me is an inspirational underdog story about a man who overcomes adversity, puts his past behind him, and finds the courage to speak his mind, ultimately becoming a groundbreaking figure in both radio and the Civil Rights Movement. Despite positive feedback from critics, the movie faced stiff competition. Released in the same month as 300, Live Free or Die Hard, and Ocean’s 13 (also starring Don Cheadle), it failed to recoup its costs at the box office and unfortunately remains relatively unheard of.
1
‘Lisztomania’ (1975)
The 1975 film “Lisztomania” is a British musical comedy that offers a surreal take on the life of 19th-century composer Franz Liszt, directed by Ken Russell. This movie reflects the counterculture spirit of the ’60s and ’70s, as Russell consistently pushes cinematic boundaries by presenting Liszt’s biography in a series of dreamlike scenes that interweave fact, fiction, and anachronistic elements.
Ken Russell’s Unique and Risky Approach Cost Him
Ken Russell’s unconventional filmmaking style, characterized by his relentless determination and distinctive approach, has won him many fans. However, this very quality was ultimately his downfall with “Lisztomania.” The film’s excessive energy, provocative sexual content, and art-house influences were not well received by mainstream viewers, causing Goodtimes Enterprises to abandon their plans to produce additional films with Russell.
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2025-03-16 18:17