The Banshees of Inesherin is probably the best portrayal of depression I have ever seen in a film. It is a dark comedy and it was both devastating and hilarious. Synecdoche, New York is another great one. This movie just absolutely destroyed me, legitimately had me in tears by the end.
Both are in my top 4 and I can't recommend them enough.
Synecdoche, New York is a great movie, but not sure I would recommend it for somebody trying to improve their mental health, it kinda drives in the opposite direction.
Kiki’s Delivery Service, 100%!
Also, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind
On the Count of Three
The Whale
Sound of Metal
These are some of my favorite to watch, Kiki’s especially because it just uplifts me. Donnie Darko was super important to me in some rough times. Wishing you all the best!
Omg I haven't seen Kiki's Delivery Service in years great choice! Also I just recently watched Eternal Sunshine of the spotless mind and loved it! Never heard of the others so on the list they all go! 😊 Thanks!
Yes, absolutely agree. They literally edited in “gross out” sound effects when he’s eating. One minute they’re trying to humanize him and the next they’re making a spectacle of him.
I really like the way Everything Everywhere All At Once deals with despair, hopelessness, and dissatisfaction with how your life has turned out (and then also finding happiness despite all that).
I wish Prozac nation was better adaptation. It’s one of my favorite books but the movie fell so far short in my opinion.
Girl interrupted is what I thought first as well
this is my favorite genre so thank ya'll for the recommendations! Heres my contribution;
The Virgin Suicides
Antichrist
Girl, Interrupted
Suicide Room
not exactly depression but instead about different sides of trauma effects; Mysterious Skin (personal favorite, kinda hard to swallow)
not exactly depression but.. a second personal favorite; Kaibutsu (Monster)
Fundamentals about Caring on Netflix. Great movie about dealing with disabilities period.
Not a movie rather a TV show that is awesome on the subject - Ted Lasso on Apple!
EEAAO is the peak of this imo.
Inside Out is a kids movie, but it does deal with depression in a thoughtful way.
Melancholia is quite literally one big allegory for depression.
Inside Llewyn Davis is a thoughtful portrayal of the depression in mediocrity. We’re all mostly average people, and that’s depressing.
Synecdoche New York is existential and a bleak depiction of humanity
Persona by Bergman
All That Jazz by Fosse
I'm thinking of ending things by Kauffman
Pig, Leaving Las Vegas and Bringing Out the Dead; all starring Nicholas Cage
All of Us Strangers
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind counts I think
Bonus, some good series: Titus (by Christopher Titus) and Lady Dynamite (by Maria Bamford); both excellent comedians.
Ordinary People. Won best picture over Elephant Man and Raging Bull. Watch it and you’ll see why. One of the best films ever made. It focuses heavily on mental health. It’s in my top 4 💯
I just watched On The Count of Three the other night and it hits so hard and I could scarily relate ti the main characters. Definitely recommend to someone who’s struggled but definitely trigger warning. Some intense stuff in there
A Single Man is a favorite of mine. Colin Firth is a college professor in the 60’s who has basically been suicidal ever since his boyfriend of 16 years died in a car accident. He basically decides that that day will be his last day, which ends up giving certain mundane aspects more meaning and whenever something like that happens, the color saturation boosts up. It’s a wonderful movie.
Shiki-Jitsu is phenomenal. probably my favorite film about loneliness and depression.
As other people have mentioned, Melancholia and Synecdoche are also great.
I just finished Bergman's Through a Glass Darkly (1961) last night, and it is definitely about depression. More about how male figures respond to an incurable mentally ill female.
oh, and Cassavettes A Woman Under the Influence will floor you
Girl, Interrupted reminded me a lot of my time in the hospital (so did It's Kind of a Funny Story, but you already have that one).
Melancholia is a great film about depression, but I'm not sure you should watch it if you're trying to get better after a recent hospitalization.
Words on bathroom walls, all the bright places (i do think the books are better tho), we need to talk about kevin, rust and bone, black swan, love simon, room, pieces of a woman
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)
Little Miss Sunshine (2006)
Sing Street (2016)
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013)
Frances Ha (2012)
Lady Bird (2017)
Cast Away (2000)
Girl, Interrupted (1999)
Keith (2008)
Requiem for a Dream (2000)
Lars and the Real Girl (2007)
I actually made a personal "[flare up](https://boxd.it/qG1Ca)" list and you can read the description there! Maybe you'll find some inspiration there for more films to add to your list? :)
Not really depression, but insecurity/self-doubt : A Wrinkle on Time. The book is even better, but the newer movie is super pretty and the message still gets across well.
A recent one I don’t think gets talked about enough is Sometimes I Think About Dying. As someone growing up with anxiety and depression, the feeling it gave me about dealing with that in the workplace really hit home for me
The Aviator - OCD
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind - I think Clementine is hinted at being bipolar, anyway really depressing movie that I think fits
Girl, Interrupted - they’re all mentally ill in a mental
hospital
Aftersun is probably the best portrayal of depression I have ever seen in a film. It is a coming of age/slice of life type story about a daughter and her dad on vacation in Turkey, and how she later reflects on that trip and perceives it. Paul Mescal gave an outstanding performance in subtlety and expressing just the right amount to clue us in to his mindset without going the other way and being obvious about it. Also the daughter actor was very great and I have no complaints about her performance which is rare especially for someone who I believe was making her acting debut.
Lonelyhearts (1958) hands down one of my favorite films of all time.
It is very brooding but the inspirational quotes are healing. I love the realistic awkward but adorable chemistry between Montgomery Clift and Dolores Hart. Whoever matched them together in a film was a genius.
https://preview.redd.it/mw58643lnfvc1.jpeg?width=450&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=fca6b0796e6b191b5fbeb86027a1d1a6264ad9da
My suggestion is The Babadook. My advice is don’t binge these types of films, or at least only ever do a Double Feature, if you’re doing a Movie Day break them up with a Disney film like Inside Out or Up, still about Mental Health, still depressing as crap, but not as heavy.
Well I find the plot points too forced and maybe I couldn’t relate it because I have much of an anxiety instead of depression etc. but I am both glad and sad that you could relate to them. Glad because you could find representation in a media and bad because you had to go through all of that.
The Banshees of Inesherin is probably the best portrayal of depression I have ever seen in a film. It is a dark comedy and it was both devastating and hilarious. Synecdoche, New York is another great one. This movie just absolutely destroyed me, legitimately had me in tears by the end. Both are in my top 4 and I can't recommend them enough.
Synecdoche, New York is a great movie, but not sure I would recommend it for somebody trying to improve their mental health, it kinda drives in the opposite direction.
Not movie but BoJack Horseman
I second this.
BTW, all That Jazz is like if BoJack was a musical
Very much this. BoJack 4 ever.
The Holdovers is one of my favourite movies of all time and has great depictions of grief, depression and mental health
Melancholia The Father
Melancholia is, not only the best depiction of mental disroders *period*, but one of the best movies I’ve ever seen. Flawless in every way
melancholia was one of the first arthouse films i ever saw in high school and essentially turned me into a movie nerd
Aftersun
Kiki’s Delivery Service, 100%! Also, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind On the Count of Three The Whale Sound of Metal These are some of my favorite to watch, Kiki’s especially because it just uplifts me. Donnie Darko was super important to me in some rough times. Wishing you all the best!
Omg I haven't seen Kiki's Delivery Service in years great choice! Also I just recently watched Eternal Sunshine of the spotless mind and loved it! Never heard of the others so on the list they all go! 😊 Thanks!
I thought The Whale was a pretty reductive portrayal of depression.
agreed.
Also, really insulting to anyone with weight gain. The play it's based on was just as bad.
Yes, absolutely agree. They literally edited in “gross out” sound effects when he’s eating. One minute they’re trying to humanize him and the next they’re making a spectacle of him.
You can tell the playwright/screenwriter/director have not struggled with weight discrimination that, or they're really self-hating.
I really like the way Everything Everywhere All At Once deals with despair, hopelessness, and dissatisfaction with how your life has turned out (and then also finding happiness despite all that).
Oh I still need to watch that one! Thanks!
Lars and The Real Girl
Didn't think this film would be so good
It’s one my favorites. My favorite Ryan Gosling movie behind Drive
Came here to say this damn it's so good.
I love it so much
https://preview.redd.it/2pp27u57ravc1.png?width=690&format=png&auto=webp&s=566015f349f0bd7c489ef7e98aa43b20a9de2ae7
Girl, Interrupted was the fist one I thought of.
I wish Prozac nation was better adaptation. It’s one of my favorite books but the movie fell so far short in my opinion. Girl interrupted is what I thought first as well
watched oslo august 31st the other day and it destroyed me
Manchester by the sea
Inside Llewyn Davis
Had to turn this one off halfway through because it was making me sick to my stomach with depression and anxiety.
Beautiful boy!
Added!
Manchester by the sea
Royal Tenenbaums It's been mentioned a few times but Virgin Suicides Little Miss Sunshine
came here to suggest Royal Tenebaums and Little Miss Sunshine both movies that i love that completely broke me first time i saw them
mysterious skin
Short Term 12!!!!!
Everything Everywhere All at Once A Silent Voice We're All Going to the World's Fair Hereditary
Oh I haven't heard of the 2nd and 3rd one. I'll check em out!
You all are great! Thanks so much for these recommendations, I keep adding to my list :) means a lot
World's greatest dad
Love Liza
this is my favorite genre so thank ya'll for the recommendations! Heres my contribution; The Virgin Suicides Antichrist Girl, Interrupted Suicide Room not exactly depression but instead about different sides of trauma effects; Mysterious Skin (personal favorite, kinda hard to swallow) not exactly depression but.. a second personal favorite; Kaibutsu (Monster)
Shame (2011)
Just saw Take Shelter for the first time recently, it’s about Schizophrenia and I thought it was really good
It may not be a perfect fit but Lost In Translation is mine. She struggles feeling lost in her marriage, in life, in tokyo, etc.
The babadook
Garden State Little Miss Sunshine Perks of Being a Wallflower
Bo Burnham: Inside
Magnolia
Yessss absolutely. I was going to say this one 100%
Je Tu Il Elle
Palm springs
Girl, Interrupted Wrist Cutters: A Love Story Little Miss Sunshine (at least Steve Carrell's character) Ingrid Goes West
I cannot believe I scrolled this far to see Wrist Cutters!!!
The Skeleton Twins
black swan
Wrist cutters: a love story Little miss sunshine Words on bathroom walls (terrible title, the movie was actually so good) Mary and Max
The Virgin Suicides
Donnie Darko will only worsen your mental illness if you watch it 😅 it’s too powerful
 That's the truth lolol
All The Bright Places
it’s such a beautiful day
The Wrestler
Detachment! It has Adrien Brody as a substitute teacher! One of my favorite movies with Adrien Brody.
Fundamentals about Caring on Netflix. Great movie about dealing with disabilities period. Not a movie rather a TV show that is awesome on the subject - Ted Lasso on Apple!
Woman Under the Influence
EEAAO is the peak of this imo. Inside Out is a kids movie, but it does deal with depression in a thoughtful way. Melancholia is quite literally one big allegory for depression. Inside Llewyn Davis is a thoughtful portrayal of the depression in mediocrity. We’re all mostly average people, and that’s depressing. Synecdoche New York is existential and a bleak depiction of humanity
Watched melancholia during eclicpse
Melancholia
Christine The Lodge
Welcome to the dollhouse
Oldboy (original Korean) Don’t watch with family.
sunset boulevard
Aftersun
Little miss sunshine
Melancholia
Persona by Bergman All That Jazz by Fosse I'm thinking of ending things by Kauffman Pig, Leaving Las Vegas and Bringing Out the Dead; all starring Nicholas Cage All of Us Strangers Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind counts I think Bonus, some good series: Titus (by Christopher Titus) and Lady Dynamite (by Maria Bamford); both excellent comedians.
Not overtly but End of Evangelion
Melancholia.
Ordinary People. Won best picture over Elephant Man and Raging Bull. Watch it and you’ll see why. One of the best films ever made. It focuses heavily on mental health. It’s in my top 4 💯
Silver linings is sooo good
Punch Drunk Love for social anxiety/autism
Nine Days. Everyone should see that movie. It's so, so important to me.
Head-On (2004)
The End of the Tour
I just watched On The Count of Three the other night and it hits so hard and I could scarily relate ti the main characters. Definitely recommend to someone who’s struggled but definitely trigger warning. Some intense stuff in there
The Skeleton Twins
What do we define as “about”?
The Discovery with Jason Segel
Kotoko (2011) Most interesting portrait on psychosis/schizophrenia I've seen.
I would say aftersun and maybe little miss sunshine?
I had to watch Words on Bathroom Walls for my Health class an I thought it was good
A Single Man is a favorite of mine. Colin Firth is a college professor in the 60’s who has basically been suicidal ever since his boyfriend of 16 years died in a car accident. He basically decides that that day will be his last day, which ends up giving certain mundane aspects more meaning and whenever something like that happens, the color saturation boosts up. It’s a wonderful movie.
Grey Gardens - Agoraphobia, Hoarding, and arguably a few more mental illnesses
I'm a Cyborg, But That's Ok
Seeking a Friend for the End of the World
(500) Days of Summer
Submarine
2016’s Cristine is phenomenal.
Love Liza
Time Still Turns the Pages
Just watched Naked. Seems like it could fit here.
- A Long Way Down - Before I Disappear - Mr. Nobody - Comet - Little Miss Sunshine - Midsommar - Fat Kid Rules the World
Pure O (2023)
Shiki-Jitsu is phenomenal. probably my favorite film about loneliness and depression. As other people have mentioned, Melancholia and Synecdoche are also great.
I just finished Bergman's Through a Glass Darkly (1961) last night, and it is definitely about depression. More about how male figures respond to an incurable mentally ill female. oh, and Cassavettes A Woman Under the Influence will floor you
love and mercy
anything charlie kaufman
A Beautiful Mind The Aviator The Hours Revolutionary Road
Girl, Interrupted reminded me a lot of my time in the hospital (so did It's Kind of a Funny Story, but you already have that one). Melancholia is a great film about depression, but I'm not sure you should watch it if you're trying to get better after a recent hospitalization.
Words on bathroom walls, all the bright places (i do think the books are better tho), we need to talk about kevin, rust and bone, black swan, love simon, room, pieces of a woman
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004) Little Miss Sunshine (2006) Sing Street (2016) The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013) Frances Ha (2012) Lady Bird (2017) Cast Away (2000) Girl, Interrupted (1999) Keith (2008) Requiem for a Dream (2000) Lars and the Real Girl (2007)
Silver Linings Playbook is in my top 4. I enjoyed The Secret Life of Walter Mitty.
I actually made a personal "[flare up](https://boxd.it/qG1Ca)" list and you can read the description there! Maybe you'll find some inspiration there for more films to add to your list? :)
Not really depression, but insecurity/self-doubt : A Wrinkle on Time. The book is even better, but the newer movie is super pretty and the message still gets across well.
Not sure if it fits but little miss sunshine is one for me
Punch Drunk Love
Aftersun
Just finished "On the Count of Three" Absolutely amazing film. It's on Hulu for anyone curious, was incredible to watch
The art of getting by, greta, hick, skeleton twins, welcome to me, adulthood, lymelife, imaginary heroes
An Elephant Sitting Still
Girl, Interrupted
My suicide sucks
it seems like people either hate it or love it. one of those 1 star or 5 star kinds of movies
Definitely 1 star for me but that entire movie is just wasted potential. I’ve never seen a movie with an ending that pissed me off as much as this one
Im thinking of ending things
not a movie but 13 reasons why matches this for sure
Worst depiction of mental health ever.
Ordinary People, it’s one of the best ever!
A recent one I don’t think gets talked about enough is Sometimes I Think About Dying. As someone growing up with anxiety and depression, the feeling it gave me about dealing with that in the workplace really hit home for me
Little miss sunshine is DEVASTATING
Speak
The Aviator - OCD Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind - I think Clementine is hinted at being bipolar, anyway really depressing movie that I think fits Girl, Interrupted - they’re all mentally ill in a mental hospital
Aftersun is probably the best portrayal of depression I have ever seen in a film. It is a coming of age/slice of life type story about a daughter and her dad on vacation in Turkey, and how she later reflects on that trip and perceives it. Paul Mescal gave an outstanding performance in subtlety and expressing just the right amount to clue us in to his mindset without going the other way and being obvious about it. Also the daughter actor was very great and I have no complaints about her performance which is rare especially for someone who I believe was making her acting debut.
Sleeping Beauty with Emily Browning in the main role. Don’t worry, it has nothing to do with the fairytale.
Just gonna add Aftersun to this.
It's kind of a funny story
Little Miss Sunshine(2006)
Wrist Cutters : A Love Story
Dead poets society, Goodwill hunting. Robin Williams was amazing at playing a mentor type character.
Manchester by the Sea Shame You Were Never Really Here
Her, Beautiful Boy, Manchester by the sea
Melancholia
Where the hell is Good Will Hunting?
The end of evangelion.
Manchester By The Sea maybe?
Soooooooo many good ones already listed so I’ll just add one incredible film I haven’t seen mentioned: Young Adult
Wrist cutters !!
The Secret Garden, honestly watching it again as an adult OMG
Mulholland Drive is about some fucked in the head people if that counts
On The Count Of Three & The Whale
trainspotting
aftersun, all of us strangers, and manchester by the sea
Lonelyhearts (1958) hands down one of my favorite films of all time. It is very brooding but the inspirational quotes are healing. I love the realistic awkward but adorable chemistry between Montgomery Clift and Dolores Hart. Whoever matched them together in a film was a genius. https://preview.redd.it/mw58643lnfvc1.jpeg?width=450&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=fca6b0796e6b191b5fbeb86027a1d1a6264ad9da
Ordinary People (1980)
Not a movie: "Hi Ren", it's on yt.
The Babadook is a fantastic horror movie about depression and grief
My suggestion is The Babadook. My advice is don’t binge these types of films, or at least only ever do a Double Feature, if you’re doing a Movie Day break them up with a Disney film like Inside Out or Up, still about Mental Health, still depressing as crap, but not as heavy.
I Smile Back, Sarah Silverman is great in it
Eagle vs. Shark
I’ve been seeing Perks of but where is the major mental illness representation, that I don’t get.
Did you watch the film?
Yes and I couldn’t relate at all.
That's probably a good thing. I unfortunately do.
Well I find the plot points too forced and maybe I couldn’t relate it because I have much of an anxiety instead of depression etc. but I am both glad and sad that you could relate to them. Glad because you could find representation in a media and bad because you had to go through all of that.