Films about mental disorders delve into the complex world of mental health, exploring various conditions through narratives that often combine drama, pathos, and sometimes humor. They can offer a window into the experiences of those living with mental illness, challenge the stigma around such conditions, and prompt discussions about mental health awareness. These films range from character studies to psychological thrillers, from poignant dramas to documentaries. They may portray schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues with varying degrees of accuracy and sensitivity.
Here is a list of films about mental disorders with their respective brief descriptions:
“A Beautiful Mind”, 2001
Director: Ron Howard
This biographical film follows the life of John Nash, a Nobel Laureate in Economics, who struggles with paranoid schizophrenia. Russell Crowe plays the brilliant mathematician whose life takes a tumultuous turn due to his mental illness.
Starring: Russell Crowe, Ed Harris, Jennifer Connelly, Christopher Plummer, Paul Bettany, Adam Goldberg, Josh Lucas, Anthony Rapp, Jason Gray-Stanford, Judd Hirsch;
Production year: 2001;
Genre: biography, drama, melodrama;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 135 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 8,2;
More information about the film “A Beautiful Mind” on the website imdb.com
“Silver Linings Playbook”, 2012
Director: David O. Russell
Bradley Cooper stars as Pat Solitano, a man with bipolar disorder who is trying to manage his condition while rebuilding his life and relationships after a stint in a mental health facility.
Starring: Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence, Robert De Niro, Jacki Weaver, Chris Tucker, Anupam Kher, John Ortiz, Shea Whigham, Julia Stiles, Paul Herman;
Production year: 2012;
Genre: drama, melodrama, comedy;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 120 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,7;
“Girl, Interrupted”, 1999
Director: James Mangold
Based on a true story, this film stars Winona Ryder as Susanna Kaysen, a young woman who spends 18 months in a psychiatric hospital for what was diagnosed as “borderline personality disorder.”
Starring: Winona Ryder, Angelina Jolie, Clea DuVall, Brittany Murphy, Elisabeth Moss, Jared Leto, Jeffrey Tambor, Vanessa Redgrave, Whoopi Goldberg, Angela Bettis;
Production year: 1999;
Genre: drama, biography;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 127 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,3;
More information about the film “Girl, Interrupted” on the website imdb.com
“One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest”, 1975
Director: Milos Forman
An Oscar-winning film starring Jack Nicholson as Randle McMurphy, a new patient who challenges the oppressive rules in a mental institution.
Starring: Jack Nicholson, Louise Fletcher, Will Sampson, Brad Dourif, William Redfield, Danny DeVito, Christopher Lloyd, Sydney Lassick, Nathan George, Vincent Schiavelli;
Production year: 1975;
Genre: drama;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 133 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 8,7;
More information about the film “One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest” on the website imdb.com
“The Soloist”, 2009
Director: Joe Wright
Robert Downey Jr. and Jamie Foxx star in this drama about a journalist who befriends a homeless Julliard-trained musician suffering from schizophrenia.
Starring: Jamie Foxx, Robert Downey Jr., Catherine Keener, Tom Hollander, Lisa Gay Hamilton, Nelsan Ellis, Rachael Harris, Stephen Root, Lorraine Toussaint, Justin Martin;
Production year: 2009;
Genre: drama, biography, music;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 117 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,7;
“Black Swan”, 2010
Director: Darren Aronofsky
Natalie Portman portrays a ballerina whose obsession with dance leads her to lose her grip on reality, showcasing elements of psychosis and obsessive-compulsive behavior.
Starring: Natalie Portman, Mila Kunis, Vincent Cassel, Barbara Hershey, Winona Ryder, Sebastian Stan, Toby Hemingway, Benjamin Millepied, Ksenia Solo, Kristina Anapau;
Production year: 2010;
Genre: drama, thriller;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 103 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 8;
More information about the film “Black Swan” on the website imdb.com
“Still Alice”, 2014
Director: Richard Glatzer, Wash Westmoreland
Julianne Moore delivers an Academy Award-winning performance as a linguistics professor diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimer's disease.
Starring: Julianne Moore, Alec Baldwin, Kristen Stewart, Kate Bosworth, Shane McRae, Hunter Parrish, Seth Gilliam, Stephen Kunken, Erin Darke, Daniel Gerroll;
Production year: 2014;
Genre: drama;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 101 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,5;
More information about the film “Still Alice” on the website imdb.com
“Rain Man”, 1988
Director: Barry Levinson
Tom Cruise and Dustin Hoffman star in this film about a car dealer who learns his late father's fortune is being left to the mental institution that cares for his brother, who has autism spectrum disorder.
Starring: Dustin Hoffman, Tom Cruise, Valeria Golino, Gerald R. Molen, Jack Murdock, Michael D. Roberts, Ralph Seymour, Lucinda Jenney, Bonnie Hunt, Kim Robillard;
Production year: 1988;
Genre: drama;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 133 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 8;
More information about the film “Rain Man” on the website imdb.com
“Matchstick Men”, 2003
Director: Ridley Scott
Nicolas Cage plays a con artist with obsessive-compulsive disorder in this crime comedy-drama.
Starring: Nicolas Cage, Sam Rockwell, Alison Lohman, Bruce Altman, Bruce McGill, Jenny O'Hara, Steve Eastin, Beth Grant, Sheila Kelley, Fran Kranz;
Production year: 2003;
Genre: thriller, drama, comedy, crime;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 116 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,3;
More information about the film “Matchstick Men” on the website imdb.com
“The Aviator”, 2004
Director: Martin Scorsese
Leonardo DiCaprio portrays Howard Hughes, the aviation pioneer, and filmmaker, exploring his life with obsessive-compulsive disorder.
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Cate Blanchett, Matt Ross, John C. Reilly, Alan Alda, Kate Beckinsale, Alec Baldwin, Ian Holm, Adam Scott, Danny Huston;
Production year: 2004;
Genre: drama, biography;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 163 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,5;
More information about the film “The Aviator” on the website imdb.com
“The Perks of Being a Wallflower”, 2012
Director: Stephen Chbosky
A coming-of-age film based on the novel by Stephen Chbosky, following a teenager with depression and past trauma as he finds friendship and acceptance in a group of outsiders.
Starring: Logan Lerman, Emma Watson, Ezra Miller, Nina Dobrev, Dylan McDermott, Kate Walsh, Paul Rudd, Mae Whitman, Adam Hagenbuch, Johnny Simmons;
Production year: 2012;
Genre: drama;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 102 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,9;
More information about the film “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” on the website imdb.com
“Ordinary People”, 1980
Director: Robert Redford
Directed by Robert Redford, this film explores the deep psychological impact a son's death has on a family, highlighting themes of bereavement and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Starring: Donald Sutherland, Mary Tyler Moore, Judd Hirsch, Timothy Hutton, M. Emmet Walsh, Elizabeth McGovern, Dinah Manoff, Fredric Lehne, James Sikking, Basil Hoffman;
Production year: 1980;
Genre: drama;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 124 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,7;
More information about the film “Ordinary People” on the website imdb.com
Remember that these portrayals vary in their representation of mental disorders, and some have been critiqued for their inaccuracies or sensationalism. However, they have played a role in bringing discussions about mental health into the mainstream.
In conclusion, films that delve into the complex world of mental disorders play a pivotal role in shaping public perception and understanding of these often misunderstood conditions. By combining the craft of storytelling with an empathetic portrayal of characters struggling with mental health issues, these films can educate, destigmatize, and offer solace to those who see their own battles reflected on screen. While they may vary in accuracy and impact, when executed thoughtfully, such films become invaluable cultural artefacts. They push us as a society to engage in necessary dialogues about mental health, fostering awareness, and promoting a more inclusive and supportive environment for individuals affected by such disorders. Therefore, these motion pictures stand not only as artistic achievements but also as social catalysts, contributing to the ongoing conversation about mental health awareness and the importance of mental well-being in our lives.
