The Basics of Philosophy

The Basics of Philosophy

2026 · 94 min · ★ 5.8 · Drama

A repressed philosophy professor, Dr. John Jorissen, is employed at Ridgemont College, a small liberal arts school in the American Midwest. He teaches an introductory course and is writing a book on renowned Dutch philosopher Baruch Spinoza. Haunted by a long-buried transgression and the sudden return of its victim, he descends into a crisis of guilt, desire, and spiritual reckoning.

Directed by Paul Schrader · Written by Paul Schrader

Your Rating

Cast

Make it a double feature

3h 27m together

The Basics of Philosophy

First Reformed

Both from Paul Schrader.

More from Paul SchraderSee all →

Taxi DriverTaxi Driver · 1976
Taxi Driver
★ 8.11976
MovieCrimeDrama
Suffering from insomnia, disturbed loner Travis Bickle takes a job as a New York City cabbie, haunting the streets nightly, growing increasingly detached from reality as he dreams of cleaning up the filthy city.
Raging BullRaging Bull · 1980
Raging Bull
★ 7.91980
MovieDramaHistory
The life of boxer Jake LaMotta, whose violence and temper that led him to the top in the ring destroyed his life outside of it.
Mishima: A Life in Four ChaptersMishima: A Life in Four Chapters · 1985
Mishima: A Life in Four Chapters
★ 7.81985
MovieDrama
A fictional account of the life of Japanese author Yukio Mishima, combining dramatizations of three of his novels and a depiction of the events of November 25th, 1970.
The Last Temptation of ChristThe Last Temptation of Christ · 1988
The Last Temptation of Christ
★ 7.21988
MovieDrama
Jesus, a humble Judean carpenter beginning to see that he is the son of God, is drawn into revolutionary action against the Roman occupiers by Judas -- despite his protestations that love, not violence, is the path to salvation. The burden of being the savior of mankind torments Jesus throughout his life, leading him to doubt.
The YakuzaThe Yakuza · 1974
The Yakuza
★ 7.11974
MovieCrimeDrama
When George Tanner does business with high-ranking Yakuza Tono, Tono kidnaps his daughter, and George summons his old friend, private eye Harry Kilmer, to Japan to investigate.
First ReformedFirst Reformed · 2018
First Reformed
★ 7.02018
MovieDrama
A pastor of a small church in upstate New York starts to spiral out of control after a soul-shaking encounter with an unstable environmental activist and his pregnant wife.
American GigoloAmerican Gigolo · 2022
American Gigolo
★ 6.82022
SeriesDramaCrime
Julian Kaye has always been an object of desire, so much so that people are willing to destroy him in order to have him. Exonerated, after 15 years in prison for a murder he didn’t commit, he now faces the challenge of picking up the pieces as the detective who put him behind bars tries to unravel the mystery that led to his wrongful incarceration.
HardcoreHardcore · 1979
Hardcore
★ 6.81979
MovieDramaCrime
A conservative Midwest businessman ventures into the sordid underworld of pornography in search of his runaway teenage daughter who’s making hardcore films in the pits of Los Angeles.
Light SleeperLight Sleeper · 1992
Light Sleeper
★ 6.71992
MovieDramaCrime
John LeTour is a recovering drug user who suffers insomnia and still deals to a high-end New York clientele, even though he’s trying to move on from the business. John’s professional midlife crisis becomes something more acute — and dangerous — when he re-encounters an old flame while a string of seemingly drug-related murders rocks the city.
Bringing Out the DeadBringing Out the Dead · 1999
Bringing Out the Dead
★ 6.61999
MovieDrama
Once called "Father Frank" for his efforts to rescue lives, Frank Pierce sees the ghosts of those he failed to save around every turn. He has tried everything he can to get fired, calling in sick, delaying taking calls where he might have to face one more victim he couldn't help, yet cannot quit the job on his own.
Auto FocusAuto Focus · 2002
Auto Focus
★ 6.42002
MovieCrimeDrama
A successful TV star during the 1960s, former "Hogan's Heroes" actor Bob Crane projects a wholesome family-man image, but this front masks his persona as a sex addict who records and photographs his many encounters with women, often with the help of his seedy friend, John Henry Carpenter. This biographical drama reveals how Crane's double life takes its toll on him and his family, and ultimately contributes to his death.
The Mosquito CoastThe Mosquito Coast · 1986
The Mosquito Coast
★ 6.31986
MovieDramaAdventure
An inventor spurns his city life and moves his family into the jungles of Central America to make a utopia.
American GigoloAmerican Gigolo · 1980
American Gigolo
★ 6.21980
MovieCrimeDrama
Julian makes a lucrative living as an escort to older women in the Los Angeles area. He begins a relationship with Michelle, a local politician's wife, without expecting any pay. One of his clients is murdered and Detective Sunday begins pumping him for details on his different clients, something he is reluctant to do considering the nature of his work. Julian begins to suspect he's being framed. Meanwhile Michelle begins to fall in love with him.
Adam ResurrectedAdam Resurrected · 2008
Adam Resurrected
★ 6.12008
MovieDramaWar
After again attempting to commit murder, a Jewish man with a mysterious past and extraordinary intelligence, charisma, and body control returns to an insane asylum, where he makes a startling discovery.
The Card CounterThe Card Counter · 2021
The Card Counter
★ 6.12021
MovieDramaThriller
William Tell just wants to play cards. His spartan existence on the casino trail is shattered when he is approached by Cirk, a vulnerable and angry young man seeking help to execute his plan for revenge on a military colonel. Tell sees a chance at redemption through his relationship with Cirk.
Cat PeopleCat People · 1982
Cat People
★ 6.01982
MovieFantasyHorror
After years of separation, Irena Gallier and her minister brother, Paul, reunite in New Orleans. When zoologists capture a wild panther, Irena is drawn to the cat – and zoo curator Oliver to her. Soon, Paul will have to reveal the family secret: that when sexually aroused, they revert into predatory jungle cats.

More Like This

The BodyguardThe Bodyguard · 1992
The Bodyguard
★ 6.71992
MovieActionDrama
A former Secret Service agent grudgingly takes an assignment to protect a pop idol who's threatened by a crazed fan. At first, the safety-obsessed bodyguard and the self-indulgent diva totally clash. But before long, all that tension sparks fireworks of another sort, and the love-averse tough guy is torn between duty and romance.
Human NatureHuman Nature · 2001
Human Nature
★ 6.02001
MovieDramaComedy
Obsessive scientist Nathan and his lover, the naturalist Lila, discover Puff: a man born and raised in the wild. As Nathan trains the wild man in the civilized ways of the world, Lila fights to preserve the man’s natural state. In the power struggle that ensues, an unusual love triangle emerges.
Good Will HuntingGood Will Hunting · 1997
Good Will Hunting
★ 8.21997
MovieDrama
Will Hunting is a headstrong, working-class genius who is failing the lessons of life. After one too many run-ins with the law, Will's last chance is a psychology professor, who might be the only man who can reach him.
The Story of Adèle H.The Story of Adèle H. · 1975
The Story of Adèle H.
★ 6.91975
MovieDramaHistory
In the 19th century a mysterious woman named Adele H. crosses the ocean, from Europe to North America, to relentlessly pursue a handsome officer that denies her satisfaction.
Vivre Sa VieVivre Sa Vie · 1962
Vivre Sa Vie
★ 7.71962
MovieDrama
Twelve episodic tales in the life of a Parisian woman and her slow descent into prostitution.
Antonia's LineAntonia's Line · 1995
Antonia's Line
★ 6.91995
MovieDramaComedy
After World War II, Antonia and her daughter, Danielle, go back to their Dutch hometown, where Antonia's late mother has bestowed a small farm upon her. There, Antonia settles down and joins a tightly-knit but unusual community. Those around her include quirky friend Crooked Finger, would-be suitor Bas and, eventually for Antonia, a granddaughter and great-granddaughter who help create a strong family of empowered women.
StalkerStalker · 1979
Stalker
★ 8.11979
MovieScience FictionDrama
Near a gray and unnamed city is the Zone, a place guarded by barbed wire and soldiers, and where the normal laws of physics are victim to frequent anomalies. A stalker guides two men into the Zone, specifically to an area in which deep-seated desires are granted.
The DepartedThe Departed · 2006
The Departed
★ 8.22006
MovieDramaThriller
To take down South Boston's Irish Mafia, the police send in one of their own to infiltrate the underworld, not realizing the syndicate has done likewise. While an undercover cop curries favor with the mob kingpin, a career criminal rises through the police ranks. But both sides soon discover there's a mole among them.
Notes on a ScandalNotes on a Scandal · 2006
Notes on a Scandal
★ 7.12006
MovieDramaRomance
A veteran high school teacher befriends a younger art teacher, who is having an affair with one of her 15-year-old students. However, her intentions with this new "friend" also go well beyond platonic friendship.
RopeRope · 1948
Rope
★ 7.91948
MovieThrillerCrime
Two young men attempt to prove they committed the perfect murder by hosting a dinner party for the family of a classmate they just strangled to death.
Evil NannyEvil Nanny · 2016
Evil Nanny
★ 5.92016
MovieDramaHorror
A couple hires a live-in nanny to watch the offspring while they work. At first, everything goes perfectly, but when an unsafe incident means the parents no longer want the nanny around, they find out this nanny is savvy at not being evicted from her live-in situation. So savvy, in fact, that she can make these parents' lives a true nightmare.
Jem and the HologramsJem and the Holograms · 2015
Jem and the Holograms
★ 5.52015
MovieDramaMusic
As a small-town girl catapults from underground video sensation to global superstar, she and her three sisters begin a one-in-a-million journey of discovering that some talents are too special to keep hidden. Four aspiring musicians will take the world by storm when they see that the key to creating your own destiny lies in finding your own voice.
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter... and SpringSpring, Summer, Fall, Winter... and Spring · 2003
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter... and Spring
★ 7.82003
MovieDrama
An isolated lake, where an old monk lives in a small floating temple. The monk has a young boy living with him, learning to become a monk. We watch as seasons and years pass by.
American BeautyAmerican Beauty · 1999
American Beauty
★ 8.01999
MovieDrama
Lester Burnham, a depressed suburban father in a mid-life crisis, decides to turn his hectic life around after developing an infatuation with his daughter's attractive friend.
Dead Poets SocietyDead Poets Society · 1989
Dead Poets Society
★ 8.31989
MovieDrama
At an elite, old-fashioned boarding school in New England, a passionate English teacher inspires his students to rebel against convention and seize the potential of every day, courting the disdain of the stern headmaster.
Uncle FrankUncle Frank · 2020
Uncle Frank
★ 7.32020
MovieDrama
In 1973, when Frank Bledsoe and his 18-year-old niece Beth take a road trip from Manhattan to Creekville, South Carolina for the family patriarch's funeral, they're unexpectedly joined by Frank's lover Walid.
Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? · 1966
Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
★ 7.71966
MovieDrama
A history professor and his wife entertain a young couple who are new to the university's faculty. As the drinks flow, secrets come to light, and the middle-aged couple unload onto their guests the full force of the bitterness, dysfunction, and animosity that defines their marriage.

Rate this film

Your ratings make Midnight smarter