Films about social class often explore the disparities and systemic structures that separate society into different classes and castes. These movies typically provide commentary on wealth distribution, social mobility, power, and privilege. They can come in various forms including dramas, comedies, and even thrillers, illustrating how class divisions impact individual lives and society at large.
“Parasite”, 2014
Director: Park Seong-woong
This South Korean dark comedy thriller directed by Bong Joon-ho uncovers the stark class divisions between the wealthy Park family and the struggling Kim clan, leading to a suspenseful and satirical confrontation.
Starring: -;
Production year: 2014;
Genre: documentary;
Age: 12+;
Rating: IMDB: 0;
“The Great Gatsby”, 2013
Director: Baz Luhrmann
Based on F. Scott Fitzgerald's classic novel, this romantic drama directed by Baz Luhrmann delves into the illusive American Dream through the opulent and tragic life of Jay Gatsby, set against the backdrop of class divisions in the Roaring Twenties.
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Tobey Maguire, Carey Mulligan, Joel Edgerton, Isla Fisher, Jason Clarke, Elizabeth Debicki, Callan McAuliffe, Jack Thompson, Amitabh Bachchan;
Production year: 2013;
Genre: drama, melodrama;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 143 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,2;
More information about the film “The Great Gatsby” on the website imdb.com
“Titanic”, 1997
Director: James Cameron
In James Cameron's epic romance and disaster film, the love story between Jack and Rose unfolds amidst the sinking of the Titanic, highlighting the stark contrasts between the lives of first-class passengers and those in steerage.
Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Kate Winslet, Billy Zane, Kathy Bates, Frances Fisher, Gloria Stuart, Bill Paxton, Bernard Hill, David Warner, Victor Garber;
Production year: 1997;
Genre: melodrama, history, thriller, drama;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 194 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,9;
More information about the film “Titanic” on the website imdb.com
“Slumdog Millionaire”, 2008
Director: Danny Boyle, Loveleen Tandan
Directed by Danny Boyle, this film tells the story of Jamal Malik, an 18-year-old from the slums of Mumbai, who competes on the Indian version of “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?” and is suspected of cheating due to his lower-class status.
Starring: Dev Patel, Freida Pinto, Anil Kapoor, Saurabh Shukla, Mahesh Manjrekar, Irfan Khan, Madhur Mittal, Raj Zutshi, Jeneva Talwar, Azharuddin Mohammed Ismail;
Production year: 2008;
Genre: crime, drama, melodrama;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 120 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 8;
More information about the film “Slumdog Millionaire” on the website imdb.com
“Gosford Park”, 2001
Director: Robert Altman
Robert Altman's ensemble murder mystery provides a sharp social commentary on the British class system of the 1930s by illustrating the complex relationships and social codes between the aristocrats and their servants during a countryside shooting weekend.
Starring: Kelly Macdonald, Emily Watson, Kristin Scott Thomas, Michael Gambon, Clive Owen, Helen Mirren, Ryan Phillippe, Maggie Smith, Richard E. Grant, Eileen Atkins;
Production year: 2001;
Genre: drama, comedy, crime, detective;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 137 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,2;
“Les Misérables”, 2012
Director: Tom Hooper
This musical drama directed by Tom Hooper is based on the popular musical adapted from Victor Hugo's novel and depicts the struggles of the lower class in 19th-century France, focusing on the story of ex-convict Jean Valjean and his quest for redemption.
Starring: Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, Anne Hathaway, Amanda Seyfried, Eddie Redmayne, Helena Bonham Carter, Sacha Baron Cohen, Aaron Tveit, Samantha Barks, Daniel Huttlestone;
Production year: 2012;
Genre: musical, drama, melodrama;
MPAA rating: pg13;
Duration: 158 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,5;
More information about the film “Les Misérables” on the website imdb.com
“Snowpiercer”, 2013
Director: Bong Joon-ho
Another film by Bong Joon-ho, this science fiction action film set aboard a globe-spanning supertrain segregates passengers by class, with the disenfranchised lower class led by Chris Evans' character rebelling against the elites at the front.
Starring: Chris Evans, Song Kang-ho, Tilda Swinton, Jamie Bell, Octavia Spencer, Ewen Bremner, Alison Pill, Ko Ah-seong, Ed Harris, John Hurt;
Production year: 2013;
Genre: science fiction, action, drama;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 126 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,1;
“American Psycho”, 2000
Director: Mary Harron
Directed by Mary Harron, this satirical psychological thriller looks at the excess and lack of empathy within the upper echelon of the 1980s American capitalist society through the eyes of a wealthy, psychopathic investment banker.
Starring: Christian Bale, Willem Dafoe, Josh Lucas, Reese Witherspoon, Cara Seymour, Justin Theroux, Jared Leto, Chloë Sevigny, Samantha Mathis, Matt Ross;
Production year: 2000;
Genre: drama, crime, thriller;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 102 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,6;
More information about the film “American Psycho” on the website imdb.com
“Sorry We Missed You”, 2019
Director: Ken Loach
This Ken Loach film tackles the gig economy and zero-hour contracts in contemporary Britain, focusing on the life of a delivery driver and his family as they struggle to get by and challenge the system that traps them in debt and precarity.
Starring: Kris Hitchen, Debbie Honeywood, Rhys Mcgowan, Katie Proctor, Ross Brewster, Charlie Richmond, Julian Ions, Sheila Dunkerley, Maxie Peters, Christopher John-Slater;
Production year: 2019;
Genre: drama;
Age: 18+;
Duration: 101 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,6;
More information about the film “Sorry We Missed You” on the website imdb.com
These films not only entertain but provoke thought and discussion about the enduring issues related to social class.
In summary, films about social class provide powerful lenses through which viewers can confront and understand the complexities of societal hierarchies and class dynamics. They often serve as a reflection of the times, speaking to audiences with compelling narratives that highlight inequality, ambition, struggle, and resilience. Through various genres, from biting satires to heart-wrenching dramas, such movies not only entertain but also educate and provoke thought, stimulating discourse on issues of wealth disparity, power structures, and economic mobility. Whether by evoking empathy, outrage, or inspiration, these films hold a mirror up to society, challenging us to ponder our roles within our own social constructs and motivating us to consider the broader implications of the class divides that shape our world.
