Not Only 'Good Will Hunting': 5 Other Gus Van Sant Movies Every Fan Must Watch

Gus Van Sant began his filmmaking career in the late 1980s with independent, low-budget films, and he has since evolved to star-studded Hollywood dramas.

While most viewers will forever associate his name with Good Will Hunting, reducing this director's body of work to a single, albeit brilliant, movie denies one the opportunity to discover a wealth of other cinematic gems.

1. 'Elephant', 2003

IMDb Score: 7.1/10

In 2003, Van Sant made a movie deeply influenced by the Columbine school shootings. The tragic events sparked his interest in youthful loss.

Stylistically, the film differs from the director's previous work and is visually reminiscent of documentary observation. The main characters are teenagers engaged in everyday affairs and problems, each of whom resolves them in their own way, some through radical action: taking the lives of their peers.

Van Sant called Elephant a visual opera. Among other fascinating aspects, it's interesting to see how the director uses sound to create tension by calibrating noise, voices, and silence.

2. 'Psycho', 1998

IMDb Score: 4.6/10

Why did Gus Van Sant frame-by-frame reshoot Alfred Hitchcock's classic film about a serial killer with a split personality in color? The answer is simple – Gus Van Sant loves cinema.

His movies contain a large number of elements and cultural references that he skillfully interweaves. In Psycho, Van Sant says he engaged in a conscious experiment, using an existing film as a basis to see if something new could emerge.

While critics weren't impressed, it's interesting to rewatch and reflect on the movie, which means Van Sant's work succeeds.

3. 'My Own Private Idaho', 1991

IMDb Score: 6.9/10

My Own Private Idaho tells the story of young men who are lost and drifting from place to place, making a living through sex work. Along the way, they search for themselves, home, love, and friendship.

Keanu Reeves and River Phoenix play the lead roles. Tragically, Phoenix died just a couple of years after the film's release, which somewhat echoes his character's uncertain fate. Van Sant's movie extensively reflects on youth and finding one's way in life.

My Own Private Idaho is worth watching for its aesthetic shots and characters' appearances – the clothing and costume choices are certainly noteworthy.

4. 'Don't Worry, He Won't Get Far on Foot', 2018

IMDb Score: 6.8/10

The story centers on John Callahan, a young alcoholic musician who discovered his artistic calling after becoming completely paralyzed at age 21.

He was passionate about speed, beautiful women, and dangerous pranks. After picking up a friend he met at a party, he was in a car accident and miraculously survived.

The poignant, inspiring, true, and touching story of a man who lost everything and was forced to find himself begins at this moment.

5. 'Even Cowgirls Get the Blues', 1993

IMDb Score: 4.3/10

This eccentric movie centers on Sissy, a girl born with disproportionately large thumbs. She hitchhikes across the US because no driver can ignore her.

Fate brings her to the Rubber Rose Ranch, where the cowgirls run the place much to the dismay of those around them.

Based on Tom Robbins' book of the same name, the movie was not well received by critics but is worth watching for its costumes and abundance of distinctive characters, including the hilarious Countess, played by John Hurt.