The Picture of Dorian Gray

The Picture of Dorian Gray

Year: 2021

Runtime: 94 mins

Language: English

Director: Tamara Harvey

In a world consumed by online image and fleeting fame, influencer Dorian Gray makes a desperate bargain to preserve his youthful appearance and social media popularity. As he cultivates a flawless online persona, a dark corruption begins to take hold, leading to increasingly depraved acts and a decline in his mental state. He soon discovers the terrible consequences of his deal and the hidden price of eternal youth and online validation.

The Picture of Dorian Gray (2021) – Spoiler-Free Movie Summary & Plot Overview

Get a spoiler-free look at The Picture of Dorian Gray (2021) with a clear plot overview that covers the setting, main characters, and story premise—without revealing key twists or the ending. Perfect for deciding if this film is your next watch.

In a hyper‑connected world where every swipe and scroll shapes identity, fame burns bright yet flickers on a fragile screen. Social media platforms dominate the cultural landscape, turning personal image into currency and turning the pursuit of perpetual relevance into a silent, relentless pressure. The city pulses with glossy selfies, curated stories, and an ever‑watchful audience that rewards perfection while erasing the flaws of the ordinary.

Enter Dorian Gray, a strikingly handsome influencer whose effortless charm and flawless feed make him the envy of a generation hungry for the next viral moment. When Lord Henry Wotton, a charismatic provocateur, whispers a seductive philosophy that pleasure and beauty are the only truths worth chasing, Dorian becomes intoxicated by the promise of eternal youth. A single, desperate wish—tethered to an ancient Egyptian symbol of hidden power—sets the stage for a pact that could preserve his radiant image forever.

Basil Hallward, a gifted artist and close confidant, captures Dorian’s striking visage on canvas, creating a portrait that begins to serve as an uncanny mirror to the unseen side of his life. The painting, hidden away from the world’s gaze, hints at a growing internal dissonance, a darkness that thrives beneath the glossy veneer of his online persona. As Dorian’s influence expands, he navigates a glittering yet treacherous social sphere, where admiration can quickly morph into obsession.

The tone of the film is both seductive and unsettling, blending the sleek aesthetics of modern digital culture with a lingering, gothic undercurrent. It invites viewers to contemplate the cost of an immaculate reputation, the allure of endless admiration, and the quiet, creeping suspicion that some bargains—no matter how tempting—carry a price far beyond what the eye can see.

Last Updated: September 09, 2025 at 15:24

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Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Movies about Faustian bargains and moral decay like The Picture of Dorian Gray

Stories about characters who trade their soul for desire, with horrific consequences.If you liked The Picture of Dorian Gray, you'll find similar stories here about characters making dangerous pacts. These movies explore the heavy price of vanity, ambition, and eternal youth, leading to psychological horror and a dark, tragic conclusion.

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Narrative Summary

Stories in this thread typically begin with a character's profound desire or vanity, leading them to a supernatural or metaphorical deal. The central conflict is internal, as the character grapples with the hidden cost of their wish. The plot steadily progresses through escalating acts of corruption, often involving harm to others, culminating in a tragic ending that underscores the inescapable consequences of their choice.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here for their shared exploration of the 'deal with the devil' archetype. They possess a dark, oppressive tone, a steady pacing that builds dread, and a high emotional intensity focused on the psychological unravelling of a protagonist. The endings are invariably sad or bleak, emphasizing the heavy weight of moral collapse.

Gothic psychological character studies like The Picture of Dorian Gray

Atmospheric stories of psychological disintegration within a decadent, dark world.Discover movies similar to The Picture of Dorian Gray that explore a character's psychological decay. These films share a dark, gothic atmosphere, a steady pace, and a heavy focus on the internal moral and mental collapse of a protagonist trapped by their own vanity or secrets.

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Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern revolves around a protagonist, often in a privileged or aesthetically focused setting, whose inner flaws—such as vanity, pride, or hidden desires—are magnified by their environment. A central metaphorical object or secret (like a portrait) reflects their true, decaying state. The story is a slow, steady burn charting their psychological disintegration, leading to acts of depravity and a melancholic, inevitable conclusion.

Why These Movies?

These movies are grouped by their shared gothic mood, dark tone, and intense focus on a single character's internal downfall. They prioritize atmosphere and psychological tension over fast-paced action, creating a heavy, oppressive feeling. The pacing is steady, allowing the audience to fully absorb the character's gradual moral and mental unraveling.

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The Picture of Dorian Gray Summary

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The Picture of Dorian Gray Summary

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Characters, Settings & Themes in The Picture of Dorian Gray

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Characters, Settings & Themes in The Picture of Dorian Gray

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