friday flicks – seven movies to watch based on your music taste

Some people know exactly what they want in life. They have a lunch order known by heart, they never stumble their words at their local cafe when asked what type of coffee they want and they never spend absolute ages scrolling whatever streaming service open looking for something to watch – they just decide then and there (like some sort of freak). While we wish we could be as decisive as those clever clogs, we know who we are on the inside: stuck between endless choices that leave us choosing nothing in the end. 

Now, we've already recommended a handful of ace movies to watch based on whoever you're listening to at the moment, but what the hell – we've decided to pick out a couple more because you lovely folk just deserve it. (Plus, it might make movie night move along a tad smoother.) 

ARIANA GRANDE: MEAN GIRLS Honestly, there are a whole heap of rom-com/teen comedies made in the 2000s that would perfectly fit alongside Ariana Grande's pop-princess signature sound, but we've decided on this 2004 classic starring Lindsay Lohan, Rachel McAdams, Amanda Seyfried, Tina Fey and Lacey Chabert (mostly because she included a homage to this flick in her iconic 2019 music video for "thank u, next"). We're pretty sure you folks already know how this movie goes – and have re-watched it over and over – so we won't spare you the details. 

BILLIE EILISH: CAROL Looking for some sapphic yearning that feels just as heartbreaking and soft as Billie Eilish's ethereal-sounding discography? We recommend taking a gander over this 2015 period-piece romance-drama, starring the incomparable Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara as secret lovers in the ’50s, which will hit you emotionally just as hard as anything Billie sings about (honestly, if this movie were to come out today we have no doubt that she'd be on the soundtrack). You won't regret watching this one, but we suggest keeping the tissue box close. 

OLIVIA RODRIGO: JENNIFER'S BODY If we could describe Olivia Rodrigo's music in three words, we would say: punky, catchy and teen angst-y – which why we reckon Karyn's Kusama's underrated and cult-classic 2009 comedy-horror, Jennifer's Body is the film equivalent of Olivia's girl-power tunes. While it was first dismissed at the time of its release (mostly because it was reviled by sleazy 'dude-bros' who just wanted to oogle at Megan Fox's body), it's since been rightfully lauded as a forgotten feminist horror classic (and it's worth the hype). 

FRANK OCEAN: MOONLIGHT If you lovely readers happen to know a movie more aligned with Frank Ocean's avant-garde soul songs than this 2016 masterpiece, please inform us of its existence. This, like Frank's sincere music, is something that you need to sit through and experience to understand what it's trying to say. This coming-of-age drama follows main character Chiron through various stages of his life, beginning with his childhood in Miami at the height of the crack epidemic up until his adulthood in Atlanta. It's beautifully shot, effortlessly stylish and (like other films on this list) will break your heart, just to build it back up again. 

FLORENCE AND THE MACHINE: SUSPIRIA What better than a witchy film to emulate the same type of witchy music made by the always esoteric Florence and the Machine? This 2018 movie is a remake of the original 1977 Italian epic supernatural horror flick, and a word to the wise: it's a whole lot darker, spookier and all-around kookier than its predecessor. The movie follows main character Susie (played by Dakota Johnson) enrolling in a Berlin dance company, which is soon revealed to be a coven on witches. Suspiria also stars Tilda Swinton (in three different roles, might we add), Mia Goth and Chloë Grace Moretz. 

TYLER THE CREATOR: SORRY TO BOTHER YOU If you've tuned into Tyler the Creator's newest album, Chromakopia, we can't help but think you'd get a real kick out of this science-fiction black comedy. Starring LaKeith Stanfield as Cash, a telemarketer using a 'white voice' to get more customers, who gets swept into a corporate conspiracy that's...unique, to say the least, but in the best way possible. We won't spoil this ripper one for you, so we recommend giving it a watch as soon as you can – you won't see the twist coming. 

FIONA APPLE: THE WORST PERSON IN THE WORLD If you're someone who only recently tapped into Fiona Apple's magnificent and highly-underrated discography, then welcome to the club. For our first movie night, we're watching The Worst Person in the World: a Norwegian comedy-romance-drama centred on Julie, a medical student who experiences all of the highs and lows of early-30s life. It's just as funny as it is provoking, giving the same kind of emotional whiplash one could only get from Ms. Apple's music. 

We hope you enjoyed our list of music-inspired movies. While we have you, why not take a gander at some movie-inspired duds or muso-inspired outfits?