In the United States, mental illness is a difficult topic to discuss for so many people all over the world. The stigma around mental health has always existed, and there is absolutely no justification for it! But Hollywood has helped to reverse this stigma. This list takes a look at cinema's best depictions of mental illness and the pursuit of stronger mental health. All of these titles are available on streaming services and for purchase online and in stores.
Silver Linings Playbook (2012)
Set in Pennsylvania, this piece focuses on a couple who fall in love with each other. This film explores a number of mental health concerns, as Bradley Cooper stars as a man with both bipolar disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder and the character played by Jennifer Lawrence is insinuated to have borderline personality disorder. Silver Linings Playbook is an uplifting mix of hilarity, real-world problems, and love.
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Ordinary People (1980)
Robert Redford creates an incredible psychotherapy drama around the life of a Chicago family struggling with the aftermath of the death of their beloved son. Ordinary People addresses post-traumatic stress and survivor’s guilt.
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Melancholia (2011)
As Christina J Appleton, an arts blogger at Bestaustralianwriters and Ukwritings, commented, “Depression is not something that many people think is particularly suited to the movies, and many directors do not think it is something that would draw people to the cinema.” Trier’s direction of Melancholia comes across as more of a scientific drama that follows the story of two sisters. Kirsten Dunst stars as one of the sisters, a young woman who is about to get married, but a planet named Melancholia is about the hit Earth. The sense of impending doom is overwhelming in this cinematic masterpiece.
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Inside Out (2015)
Inside Out is a great way to introduce your children to the world of mental health. This film follows the anthropomorphic emotions inside a young girl's mind. As Rachel Underwood, a lifestyle writer at Simple Grad and Via Writing, noted, “Inside Out does a great job of reminding our children that happiness and sadness are simply a part of life.”
Read our review of Inside Out and check out our essay on growing up with Pixar
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One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975)
Milos Forman’s beautifully bitter tear-jerker is set in a mental hospital and considered to be an absolute masterpiece. Jack Nicholson stars as a criminal who has faked insanity to get out of a lengthy jail sentence, and Louise Fletcher stars opposite him as a nurse. This powerful film is a study of life inside a psychiatric hospital but also a discovery of the human spirit.
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Get your copy of the One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest Blu-ray DVD by clicking here.
Gaslight (1940) and Gaslight (1944)
The film Gaslight is exactly as it presents itself. The practice of gaslighting is horrible, and it basically stems from the mental abuse of manipulation that causes one to question psychological stability and sanity. Ingrid Bergman won an Academy Award for her lead role as a wife and gaslighting victim.
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What’s Eating Gilbert Grape (1993)
This beautiful drama features Johnny Depp as a young man living in Iowa struggling to take care of his family, his morbidly obese mother, and his younger brother who struggles with autism. This drama not only stands out for its portrayal of a caregiver, autism, and eating disorders.
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This title is also included in our list of films that promote autism awareness.
Get your copy of the What's Eating Gilbert Grape DVD by clicking here.
Lars and the Real Girl (2007)
Ryan Gosling is well known for his incredible portrayal of Lars as a sweet but lonely man who is incredibly introverted. Since Lars has years of difficulty processing trauma and emotional baggage, he tries to begin a romance with a love doll, as a way of safely having another romantic relationship.
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Krisha (2016)
Though this is technically a horror film, it has dramatic elements in its concentration on mental difficulties and addiction. This film centers on an alcoholic who has to visit her family for Thanksgiving. Addiction is a tricky subject to portray in film, but Krisha does it very well.
A Beautiful Mind (2001)
Ron Howard's depiction of John Nash who suffered from paranoid schizophrenia is a beautiful but difficult watch. Starring Russell Crowe in a phenomenal performance.
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Elizabeth Hines is an online digital marketer and article writer for Top Canadian Writers and Student writing services She enjoys reading and writing in her spare time. She also writes for online blogs, such as Top essay writing services.