Films about inequality delve into the disparities experienced by individuals or groups across various dimensions such as economic status, racial or ethnic backgrounds, gender, sexual orientation, and other social stratifications. These films explore the systemic barriers and the profound personal, social, and political implications of living in societies that are divided by unequal access to resources, opportunities, and justice. Through these narratives, viewers are invited to confront the often harsh realities of marginalized communities and the structural challenges they face. As a powerful medium, cinema has the ability to raise awareness, evoke empathy, and potentially inspire action toward a more equitable world.
Here are some films that examine the theme of inequality, each with a snapshot of how they address the topic:
“Do the Right Thing”, 1989
Director: Spike Lee
Directed by Spike Lee, this film is a provocative exploration of racial tension in a Brooklyn neighborhood during a hot summer day. It vividly portrays the inequalities and volatile relations between different ethnic communities.
Starring: Spike Lee, Danny Aiello, John Turturro, Richard Edson, Ossie Davis, Giancarlo Esposito, Bill Nunn, Rosie Perez, Ruby Dee, Roger Guenveur Smith;
Production year: 1989;
Genre: drama, comedy;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 120 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 8;
More information about the film “Do the Right Thing” on the website imdb.com
“Parasite”, 2014
Director: Park Seong-woong
Directed by Bong Joon-ho, this South Korean dark comedy thriller offers a sharp social satire about class division and the dynamics between the wealthy and the impoverished, climaxing in an unexpected and violent confrontation.
Starring: -;
Production year: 2014;
Genre: documentary;
Age: 12+;
Rating: IMDB: 0;
“The Pursuit of Happyness”, 2006
Director: Gabriele Muccino
Starring Will Smith, this biographical drama follows the true-life struggles of entrepreneur Chris Gardner as he navigates homelessness and financial instability while trying to provide for his young son.
Starring: Will Smith, Jaden Smith, Thandiwe Newton, Brian Howe, James Karen, Dan Castellaneta, Kurt Fuller, Takayo Fischer, Kevin West, George Cheung;
Production year: 2006;
Genre: drama, biography;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 117 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 8;
More information about the film “The Pursuit of Happyness” on the website imdb.com
“Selma”, 2014
Director: Ava DuVernay
Directed by Ava DuVernay, this historical drama chronicles Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s campaign to secure equal voting rights with an epic march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, in 1965, highlighting the fight against racial inequality.
Starring: David Oyelowo, Carmen Ejogo, Tom Wilkinson, Tim Roth, Lorraine Toussaint, Common, Giovanni Ribisi, Ruben Santiago-Hudson, Oprah Winfrey, Cuba Gooding Jr.;
Production year: 2014;
Genre: drama, biography, history;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 128 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,5;
More information about the film “Selma” on the website imdb.com
“The Color Purple”, 1985
Director: Steven Spielberg
Adapted from Alice Walker's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel and directed by Steven Spielberg, this film focuses on the life of African American women in the early 20th-century American South, dealing with themes of sexism and racism.
Starring: Whoopi Goldberg, Danny Glover, Adolph Caesar, Margaret Avery, Rae Dawn Chong, Oprah Winfrey, Willard E. Pugh, Akosua Busia, Desreta Jackson, Dana Ivey;
Production year: 1985;
Genre: drama;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 154 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,7;
More information about the film “The Color Purple” on the website imdb.com
“Roma”, 2018
Director: Alfonso Cuarón
Directed by Alfonso Cuarón, this film is set in 1970s Mexico City and provides an intimate glimpse into the life of an indigenous domestic worker for a middle-class family, touching on issues of social hierarchy and race.
Starring: Yalitza Aparicio, Marina de Tavira, Diego Cortina Autrey, Carlos Peralta, Marco Graf, Daniela Demesa, Nancy García García, Verónica García, Andy Cortés, Fernando Grediaga;
Production year: 2018;
Genre: drama;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 135 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,7;
More information about the film “Roma” on the website imdb.com
“12 Years a Slave”, 2013
Director: Steve McQueen
A historical drama directed by Steve McQueen, it's based on the 1853 slave narrative memoir of Solomon Northup, a New York State-born free African American man who was kidnapped and sold into slavery, depicting the brutal inequalities of slavery in America.
Starring: Chiwetel Ejiofor, Michael Fassbender, Lupita Nyong'o, Sarah Paulson, Benedict Cumberbatch, Brad Pitt, Paul Dano, Paul Giamatti, Alfre Woodard, Adepero Oduye;
Production year: 2013;
Genre: drama, biography, history;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 133 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 8,1;
“American History X”, 1998
Director: Tony Kaye
Starring Edward Norton, this crime drama film addresses racism, inequality, and redemption as it follows a former neo-Nazi skinhead trying to prevent his younger brother from going down the same wrong path he did.
Starring: Edward Norton, Edward Furlong, Beverly D'Angelo, Jennifer Lien, Ethan Suplee, Fairuza Balk, Avery Brooks, Elliott Gould, Stacy Keach, William Russ;
Production year: 1998;
Genre: drama, crime;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 119 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 8,5;
More information about the film “American History X” on the website imdb.com
“Philadelphia”, 1993
Director: Jonathan Demme
Starring Tom Hanks and Denzel Washington, this film deals with HIV/AIDS and homophobia, as it tells the story of a man fired from his law firm because he is homosexual, and infected with AIDS, who fights back against discrimination.
Starring: Tom Hanks, Denzel Washington, Antonio Banderas, Jason Robards, Mary Steenburgen, Joanne Woodward, Charles Napier, Robert Ridgely, Bradley Whitford, Ron Vawter;
Production year: 1993;
Genre: drama;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 125 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,7;
More information about the film “Philadelphia” on the website imdb.com
“The Help”, 2011
Director: Tate Taylor
Directed by Tate Taylor, this period drama is based on the novel by Kathryn Stockett and looks at the lives of African American maids working in white households in 1960s Mississippi during the civil rights movement, exploring racial inequalities and social change.
Starring: Emma Stone, Viola Davis, Bryce Dallas Howard, Octavia Spencer, Jessica Chastain, Ahna O'Reilly, Allison Janney, Sissy Spacek, Cicely Tyson, Mary Steenburgen;
Production year: 2011;
Genre: drama;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 146 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 8,1;
More information about the film “The Help” on the website imdb.com
In conclusion, films about inequality serve not only as mirrors reflecting the entrenched disparities and injustices that persist in society but also as powerful catalysts for change. Through their compelling narratives, unforgettable characters, and vivid portrayals of various forms of inequality—be it racial, economic, gender-based, or otherwise—these films compel us to confront uncomfortable truths, foster empathy, and inspire discussions on reform and equality. From the heart-wrenching to the inspirational, these cinematic works challenge audiences to rethink their perspectives and advocate for a more equitable world. In doing so, they underscore the role of cinema not just as entertainment but as a critical medium for social commentary and transformation, proving that art, in its most impactful form, can indeed influence reality and contribute to the betterment of society.
