By There are many aspects of the human condition that intrigued creators throughout history. The interest in mental health, however, has been especially prominent during the last decade of the 21st century.
This important subject has also found its way into the movie industry, which should come as no surprise, considering the fact that films have always tackled the matters that include struggles of being a human: relationships, conflicts, growth, ethical dilemmas, and so much more.
It’s time to dedicate some space to those silver screen masterpieces which consider the issue that deserves even more attention than it currently gets. Here are, in no particular order, the top 10 most memorable motion pictures with plots that revolve around mental health.
1. One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest (1975)
Although today’s audience might feel less inclined and motivated to see a film made in the 70s, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest has undoubtedly stood the test of time.
Dissecting issues such as mental illness, friendship, the role of power in the modern world, and, ultimately, the phenomenon called free will, this motion picture is well worth every award it was granted: It won 5 Academy Awards, 5 British Academy Film Awards, as well as 6 Golden Globe Awards.
2. A Beautiful Mind (2001)
Based on real-life events, A Beautiful Mind was an instant success as soon as it first aired in 2001. The film follows the life and accomplishments of John Nash, a brilliant mathematician, friend, husband, and father living with paranoid schizophrenia.
In spite of struggling with hallucinations and fighting sudden rushes of paranoid thoughts for years, Nash ultimately managed to keep his condition in check and even return to his academic work.
3. Shutter Island (2010)
May the viewer of the Shutter Island be warned in advance: There’s a lot more to this film than meets the eye. Although it opens as a crime-slash-mystery drama, this motion picture is crawling with sudden twists and turns that ultimately lead to a surprising, moving end.
The additional quality of this movie is a trait all filmophiles love: As you watch it again later in life, you’ll be able to notice many aspects and small details you weren’t able to see the first time.
4. What’s Eating Gilbert Grape (1993)
Although DiCaprio was granted his first Academy Award in 2016 for the lead role in the movie Revenant, there are many critics and fans out there (justifiably) arguing that his heart-breaking portrayal of mentally impaired Arnie in What’s Eating Gilbert Grape also should have won the title he was nominated for.
As for the movie itself, it makes a viewer smile, cry, and leaves them in awe: It’s a real emotional rollercoaster and a touching story about love, family, and duty.
5. Melancholia (2011)
Anyone who has already seen any of Lars von Trier’s films can consider themselves partially prepared for Melancholia. A gloomy, slightly surreal atmosphere defines every shot, while the characters struggle to find their places in life in the wake of the foretold doom.
Von Trier himself claimed that the inspiration for making this film came from a depressive episode he once suffered, and seeing this film, you will surely be able to sense it.
6. The Machinist (2004)
Similarly to Shutter Island, The Machinist is the type of film rich with plot twists on every corner, making it almost impossible to describe without creating major spoilers for the potential future viewers. It is dark, heavy, confusing, and, in the end, heartbreaking, but worth every second spent watching it.
7. We Need To Talk About Kevin (2011)
Of all movies featured on this list, We Need to Talk About Kevin might just be the most disturbing one (even next to the contestants like Melancholia, The Machinist, and Black Swan). Mother and son disconnected, yet intertwined with pain and suffering he brings to the world: This film will surely leave you speechless.
8. Mary And Max (2009)
Mary and Max is the only animated feature on this list, yet its brilliant and heartwarming portrayal of friendship, love, and living with Asperger’s syndrome earned it its rightful place. Told from the perspectives of two pen pals, it is a timeless story for all generations and tastes.
9. Black Swan (2010)
How far is too far when it comes to the ambitions parents force upon their children? Black Swan, masterfully portrayed by Natalie Portman, is a living testimony that an insatiable appetite for success can twist and grind a delicate soul into the ground.
10. Joker (2019)
Inspired by Scorsese’s Taxi Driver and The King of Comedy, Joker offers a whole new outlook on this famous villain known from the Batman franchise. It’s a story about pain, poverty, and mental challenges spiraling out of control to meet its harsh, dark ending.
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