Professional regret in film often explores characters grappling with the fallout from career-related decisions that lead to personal dissatisfaction, missed opportunities, or ethical dilemmas. Such stories can offer powerful emotional arcs as characters confront the consequences of their actions, sometimes seeking redemption or a second chance. This theme is compelling because it can connect with audiences on a personal level, as many people have experienced regret in their professional lives.
Here is a list of films that delve into the theme of professional regret:
“The Wrestler”, 2008
Director: Darren Aronofsky
An aging professional wrestler deals with his failing health and attempts to mend his strained relationships. His regret is centered on prioritizing his career over his personal life, leading to a life of loneliness and longing for his glory days.
Starring: Mickey Rourke, Marisa Tomei, Evan Rachel Wood, Mark Margolis, Todd Barry, Wass Stevens, Judah Friedlander, Ernest Miller, Dylan Keith Summers, Tommy Farra;
Production year: 2008;
Genre: drama, sport;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 105 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,9;
More information about the film “The Wrestler” on the website imdb.com
“Up in the Air”, 2009
Director: Jason Reitman
This film features a corporate downsizer who begins to question his nomadic, isolated life and his place in the world as he faces the potential of his own job becoming obsolete. He grapples with the impact his career has on his personal life and those around him.
Starring: George Clooney, Vera Farmiga, Anna Kendrick, Jason Bateman, Amy Morton, Melanie Lynskey, J.K. Simmons, Sam Elliott, Danny McBride, Zach Galifianakis;
Production year: 2009;
Genre: drama, melodrama, comedy;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 109 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,4;
More information about the film “Up in the Air” on the website imdb.com
“A Single Man”, 2009
Director: Tom Ford
Set in 1962, the story follows an English professor who struggles with the death of his longtime partner. The film touches on his professional life as a backdrop to his grief and feelings of alienation, challenging his sense of purpose.
Starring: Colin Firth, Julianne Moore, Nicholas Hoult, Matthew Goode, Jon Kortajarena, Paulette Lamori, Ryan Simpkins, Ginnifer Goodwin, Teddy Sears, Paul Butler;
Production year: 2009;
Genre: thriller, drama, melodrama, crime;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 100 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,5;
More information about the film “A Single Man” on the website imdb.com
“The Social Network”, 2010
Director: David Fincher
This film portrays the founding of Facebook and the lawsuits that followed, focusing on Mark Zuckerberg's rise and the friendships and connections that were damaged as a result of his professional endeavors.
Starring: Jesse Eisenberg, Andrew Garfield, Justin Timberlake, Armie Hammer, Max Minghella, Rashida Jones, Brenda Song, Rooney Mara, Bryan Barter, Joseph Mazzello;
Production year: 2010;
Genre: drama, biography;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 120 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,8;
More information about the film “The Social Network” on the website imdb.com
“Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)”, 2014
Director: Alejandro G. Iñárritu
This movie follows a washed-up actor, once known for playing an iconic superhero, as he attempts to reinvent his career by directing and starring in a Broadway play. Throughout the film, he confronts his feelings of irrelevance and past career choices.
Starring: Michael Keaton, Edward Norton, Emma Stone, Naomi Watts, Zach Galifianakis, Andrea Riseborough, Amy Ryan, Lindsay Duncan, Damian Young, Jeremy Shamos;
Production year: 2014;
Genre: drama, comedy;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 119 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,7;
More information about the film “Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance)” on the website imdb.com
“Spotlight”, 2015
Director: Tom McCarthy
This true story of investigative journalists breaking the story of systemic child molestation within the Catholic Church also gives a nod to the professional regret felt by the characters who, in pursuing other stories, may have overlooked the scandal in earlier times.
Starring: Mark Ruffalo, Michael Keaton, Rachel McAdams, Liev Schreiber, John Slattery, Stanley Tucci, Brian d'Arcy James, Elena Wohl, Gene Amoroso, Doug Murray;
Production year: 2015;
Genre: drama, crime, biography;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 129 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 8,1;
“Steve Jobs”, 2015
Director: Danny Boyle
This biopic portrays the life of Apple's co-founder and delves into his personal relationships and the controversial decisions he made throughout his career, highlighting the impact his professional life had on his personal connections.
Starring: Michael Fassbender, Seth Rogen, Jeff Daniels, Kate Winslet, Michael Stuhlbarg, Katherine Waterston, Perla Haney-Jardine, Ripley Sobo, Makenzie Moss, Sarah Snook;
Production year: 2015;
Genre: drama, biography, history;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 122 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,2;
More information about the film “Steve Jobs” on the website imdb.com
“The Intern”, 2015
Director: Nancy Meyers
The film is about a retired executive who becomes an intern for a fashion website. It subtly explores the idea of professional regret through its reflection on life choices and finding purpose at different stages of life.
Starring: Robert De Niro, Anne Hathaway, Rene Russo, Anders Holm, JoJo Kushner, Andy Rannells, Adam Devine, Zack Pearlman, Jason Orley, Christina Scherer;
Production year: 2015;
Genre: melodrama, comedy;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 121 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,1;
More information about the film “The Intern” on the website imdb.com
“Fences”, 2016
Director: Denzel Washington
Adapted from August Wilson's play, the film explores the life of a former Negro league baseball player, now working as a garbage man, who deeply regrets missing out on a professional baseball career due to racial discrimination of his era.
Starring: Denzel Washington, Viola Davis, Stephen McKinley Henderson, Jovan Adepo, Russell Hornsby, Mykelti Williamson, Saniyya Sidney, Christopher Mele, Lesley Boone, Jason Silvis;
Production year: 2016;
Genre: drama;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 139 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,2;
More information about the film “Fences” on the website imdb.com
In exploring the complex theme of professional regret, these films offer a cathartic journey, inviting audiences to navigate the often turbulent waters of career aspirations, missed opportunities, and the continuous search for purpose and fulfillment. Through powerful narratives and deeply resonant character studies, they shine a light on the universal struggle to balance ambition with personal happiness, highlighting the ways in which profession shapes identity and influences the path of one’s life. Whether it's the heart-wrenching portrayal of lost potential, the stirring depiction of a second chance, or the poignant realization of what truly matters, these films collectively underscore the importance of introspection, resilience, and ultimately, the courage to face one's regrets not as insurmountable obstacles, but as stepping stones to greater understanding and, perhaps, redemption. In doing so, they not only entertain but also offer profound insights into the human condition, reminding us of the power of cinema to reflect and enrich our understanding of the complexities of life and the myriad paths to self-discovery and fulfillment.
