Films About Alcoholism on Netflix
Alcoholism is a pervasive issue that affects individuals, families, and communities. Films that explore this theme often delve into the psychological, emotional, and social ramifications of addiction. They can serve as both cautionary tales and poignant narratives that humanize the struggles of those battling alcohol dependency. Netflix offers a variety of films that tackle this sensitive subject matter, providing viewers with insightful portrayals of the impact of alcoholism on lives and relationships.
Here are some notable films about alcoholism currently available on Netflix:
“The Lost Weekend”, 1945
Director: Billy Wilder
This classic film follows writer Don Birnam, who struggles with acute alcoholism as he attempts to survive a weekend binge while confronting his demons and the impact on his relationships.
Starring: Ray Milland, Jane Wyman, Phillip Terry, Howard Da Silva, Doris Dowling, Lilian Fontaine, Lewis L. Russell, Mary Young, Frank Faylen, Anita Sharp-Bolster, Frank Orth, Andy Andrews, Gene Ashley, Walter Baldwin, Harry Barris, Ian Begg, Eddie Borden, Jess Lee Brooks, Jack Rube Clifford, David Clyde, James Conaty, Willa Pearl Curtis, John Deauville, Helen Dickson, Clark Eggleston, Franklyn Farnum, John Garris, Dick Gordon, Jayne Hazard, Ted Hecht, Ernest Hilliard, Earle Hyman, Jerry James, Stan Johnson, Jack W. Johnston, Karl «Karchy» Kosiczky, Eddie Laughton, Perc Launders, Theodora Lynch, Bertram Marburgh, William Meader, James Millican, Frank Mills, Pat Moriarity, William Newell, William O'Leary, Peter Potter, Mark Power, Stanley Price, Craig Reynolds;
Production year: 1945;
Genre: drama, film noir;
Age: 16+;
Duration: 101 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,9;
More information about the film “The Lost Weekend” on the website imdb.com
“When a Man Loves a Woman”, 1994
Director: Luis Mandoki
This romantic drama explores the complexities of love and addiction, focusing on the relationship between a couple dealing with the challenges of the wife's alcoholism and her journey to recovery.
Starring: Andy Garcia, Meg Ryan, Ellen Burstyn, Tina Majorino, Mae Whitman, Lauren Tom, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Eugene Roche, Gail Strickland, Steven Brill, Susanna Thompson, Erinn Canavan, LaTanya Richardson Jackson, Bari K. Willerford, James Jude Courtney, Jacques De Groot, Anne Ohliger, Tony Montero, Cynthia Mace, Jennie Yee, William Frankfather, Ellen Geer, Angelina Fiordellisi, Elizabeth Lang, Syd Field, Peer Ebbighausen, Joe Drago, Andrew Magarian, Amy Treese, Brandis Kemp, Judith Friend, Deana Kobrynski, Rico E. Anderson, Janette Andrade, Lena Banks, Wendy Bones, Richard Bradford, Jack Duane, Holly Lewis, Edward Markmann, Craig Richards, Reed Rudy, Anoush Sadegh, Joseph Quinn Simpkins, Shawn Woodward;
Production year: 1994;
Genre: drama, melodrama;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 126 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,5;
More information about the film “When a Man Loves a Woman” on the website imdb.com
“Leaving Las Vegas”, 1995
Director: Mike Figgis
A heart-wrenching tale about a suicidal alcoholic who moves to Las Vegas to drink himself to death. His path intersects with a compassionate prostitute, leading to an intense and tragic connection.
Starring: Nicolas Cage, Elisabeth Shue, Julian Sands, Richard Lewis, Steven Weber, Kim Adams, Emily Procter, Stuart Regen, Valeria Golino, Graham Beckel, Albert Henderson, Shashi Bhatia, Carey Lowell, Ann Lange, Thomas Kopache, Vincent Ward, Lucinda Jenney, French Stewart, Ed Lauter, Waldemar Kalinowski, David Kriegel, Bill Thompson, Marek Stabrowski, R. Lee Ermey, Mariska Hargitay, Danny Huston, Laurie Metcalf, David Brisbin, Shawnee Smith, Paul Quinn, Julian Lennon, Tracy Thorne, Bob Rafelson, Susan Barnes, Marc Coppola, Michael A. Goorjian, Jeremy Jordan, Davidlee Willson, Xander Berkeley, Sergio Premoli, Gordon Michaels, Lou Rawls, Sunit Gupta, Camille King, Greg Miller;
Production year: 1995;
Genre: drama, melodrama;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 112 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,5;
“The Way Back”, 2020
Director: Gavin O'Connor
Starring Ben Affleck as a former basketball star struggling with addiction, this film tells the story of his attempt at redemption through coaching a high school basketball team while battling his personal demons.
Starring: Ben Affleck, Al Madrigal, Janina Gavankar, Michaela Watkins, Brandon Wilson, Will Ropp, Fernando Luis Vega, Charles Lott Jr., Melvin Gregg, Ben Irving, Jeremy Radin, John Aylward, Da'Vinchi, Matthew Glave, Nico David, Todd Stashwick, Chris Bruno, Emelia Golfieri, Layla Golfieri, Nancy Linehan Charles, Glynn Turman, T.K. Carter, Jeremy Ratchford, Dan Lauria, Jayne Taini, Sal Velez Jr., Yeniffer Behrens, Rachael Carpani, Eric Tate, Christine Horn, Josh Latzer, Manny Streetz Guevara, Justice Alan, Jihad Abdou, Joshua Hubbard, James P. Harkins, Mike G., April Adams, Chieko Hidaka, Bronwen O'Connor, Charlotte Evelyn Williams, Kayla Diaz, Doc Jacobs, Marlene Forte, Shay Roundtree, Chad Mountain, Sandy Fletcher, Noah Ballou, Cynthia Rose Hall, Calvin Barber;
Production year: 2020;
Genre: drama, sport;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 108 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,7;
More information about the film “The Way Back” on the website imdb.com
“A Star Is Born”, 2018
Director: Bradley Cooper
This musical drama features a seasoned musician who battles alcoholism while trying to help a young singer achieve stardom. Their relationship is tested by addiction and its consequences.
Starring: Lady GaGa, Bradley Cooper, Sam Elliott, Dave Chappelle, Andrew Dice Clay, Anthony Ramos, Rafi Gavron, Greg Grunberg, Alec Baldwin, Marlon Williams, Brandi Carlile, Ron Rifkin, Barry Shabaka Henley, Michael D. Roberts, Michael Harney, Rebecca Field, Derek Kevin Jones, Willam Belli, Dennis Tong, Josh Wells, D.J. «Shangela» Pierce, Eddie Griffin, Drena De Niro, Sanaa Chappelle, Leandro De Niro Rodriguez, Jacob Schick, Gabe Fazio, Benjamin Rice, Halsey, William H. Slattery III, Robert S. Wilhelm Jr., Luenell, Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real, Lukas Nelson, Anthony LoGerfo, Alberto Bof, Corey McCormick, Jesse Berg, Tato Melgar, Don Was, Victor Indrizzo, George Doering, Michael Bearden, Lenny Castro, Chris Kelly, Don Roy King, Gena Rositano, Greg Scarnici, Michael Mancini;
Production year: 2018;
Genre: melodrama, music, drama;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 136 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,6;
More information about the film “A Star Is Born” on the website imdb.com
“The Spectacular Now”, 2013
Director: James Ponsoldt
A coming-of-age story that centers on a high school senior who grapples with his drinking habits and the impact it has on his relationships, particularly with a girl who sees the potential for change in him.
Starring: Miles Teller, Shailene Woodley, Brie Larson, Masam Holden, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Kyle Chandler, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Dayo Okeniyi, Andre Royo, Bob Odenkirk, Nicci Roessler, Ava-Marie London, Whitney Goin, Levi Miller, E. Roger Mitchell, Kaitlyn Dever, Gary Weeks, Logan Mack, Valerie Payton, Christopher Nathan, Tory Willis, Mike Hickman, Whitney Christopher, Doug Haley, Keith Silverstein, Alex D'Lerma, Dina Sherman, Karen Strassman, William j Barry, Carey Beckerdite, Faith Blankenship, David Cooke, Nico Ford, David Fritsch, Greer Howard, Anniston Howell, Abigail Jackson, Brad Langford, Wanda Morganstern, Andre Pith, Rodney Lee Rogers, Porter Spicer;
Production year: 2013;
Genre: drama, melodrama;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 99 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7;
More information about the film “The Spectacular Now” on the website imdb.com
“Flight”, 2012
Director: Robert Zemeckis
Denzel Washington stars as a commercial pilot who saves a flight from disaster but struggles with alcoholism and the repercussions of his actions. The film examines the intersection of heroism and addiction.
Starring: Denzel Washington, Kelly Reilly, Bruce Greenwood, Don Cheadle, John Goodman, Tamara Tunie, Brian Geraghty, Melissa Leo, Nadine Velazquez, Michael Beasley, Ravi Kapoor, Dylan Kussman, Garcelle Beauvais, Will Sherrod, Carter Cabassa, Adam Ciesielski, Charlie E. Schmidt, Conor O'Neill, Boni Yanagisawa, Adam Tomei, Dane Davenport, John Crow, E. Roger Mitchell, Jill Jane Clements, Tommy Kane, James Badge Dale, Susie Spear Purcell, Philip Pavel, Piers Morgan, Jim Tilmon, Charles Z. Gardner, Peter Gerety, Tom Nowicki, Jason Benjamin, Ric Reitz, Timothy Adams, Darius Woods, Ron Caldwell, Janet Metzger, Bethany Anne Lind, Sharon Blackwood, Pamela Smith, Justin Martin, Shannon Walshe, Rhoda Griffis, Ted Hall, Laila Pruitt, Precious Bright, Steve Coulter, Ted Huckabee;
Production year: 2012;
Genre: thriller, drama;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 138 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,3;
More information about the film “Flight” on the website imdb.com
These films provide a range of perspectives on the challenges of alcoholism, exploring the personal battles, societal perceptions, and the road to recovery in ways that resonate with many viewers.
The selection of films about alcoholism on Netflix offers a deeply compelling and thought-provoking exploration of the complexities of addiction. From heart-wrenching dramas to poignant documentaries, these films provide an unflinching look at the devastating impact of alcoholism on individuals and their loved ones. Each narrative delves into the raw emotions, struggles, and triumphs of those affected by this disease, shedding light on the harrowing journey of recovery and the enduring resilience of the human spirit. These films serve as a powerful reminder of the importance of empathy, understanding, and support in the face of addiction, sparking meaningful conversations and fostering greater awareness of this pervasive issue in society.
