Films that explore mental illness provide a unique lens through which audiences can gain insight into the complexities of the human mind. These narratives often delve into the struggles, triumphs, and realities faced by those dealing with various mental health issues, fostering empathy and understanding. Netflix offers a diverse selection of films that tackle these themes, ranging from poignant dramas to thought-provoking documentaries. Here are some notable films on Netflix that address mental illness:
“The Perks of Being a Wallflower”, 2012
Director: Stephen Chbosky
This coming-of-age drama follows Charlie, an introverted high school freshman who navigates the complexities of adolescence while dealing with past trauma and mental health struggles. Through friendship and self-discovery, Charlie learns to confront his emotions and find his place in the world.
Starring: Logan Lerman, Emma Watson, Ezra Miller, Nina Dobrev, Dylan McDermott, Kate Walsh, Paul Rudd, Mae Whitman, Adam Hagenbuch, Johnny Simmons, Erin Wilhelmi, Tom Savini, Joan Cusack, Melanie Lynskey, Tom Kruszewski, Zane Holtz, Reece Thompson, Nicholas Braun, Patrick de Ledebur, Brian Balzerini, Julia Garner, Emily Marie Callaway, Chelsea Zhang, Jesse Scheirer, Justine Nicole Schaefer, Jules Atlas, Leo Miles Farmerie, Isabel Muschweck, Jordan Paley, Timothy Breslin, Mark McClain Wilson, Atticus Cain, Stacy Chbosky, Dihlon McManne, Laurie Klatscher, Landon Pigg, Jennifer Enskat, William L. Thomas, Morgan Wolk, Tony Amen, Diedra Arthur-O'Ree, Tiffany Bell, Matt Black, Zachary Bolen, Andre Brassil, Ralph Browning, Lisa Buckley, Owen Campbell, Roberto Capriotti, Daniel Clayton;
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
“To the Bone”, 2017
Director: Marti Noxon
This film focuses on a young woman named Ellen who is battling anorexia. As she enters a recovery program led by an unconventional doctor, she confronts her struggles with food, family, and self-acceptance, offering a raw and honest depiction of eating disorders.
Starring: Lily Collins, Keanu Reeves, Carrie Preston, Lili Taylor, Alex Sharp, Liana Liberato, Brooke Smith, Leslie Bibb, Kathryn Prescott, Ciara Bravo, Maya Eshet, Rebekah Kennedy, Dana L. Wilson, Ziah Colon, Joanna Sanchez, Don O. Knowlton, Valerie Palincar, Hana Hayes, Lindsey McDowell, Retta, Karen Zahler, Alanna Ubach, Leann Lei, Ani Sava, Ronnie J. Clark, Lauren Jenna;
Production year: 2017;
Genre: drama;
Duration: 107 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,8;
“Girl, Interrupted”, 1999
Director: James Mangold
Based on Susanna Kaysen's memoir, this film follows a young woman who spends time in a psychiatric hospital in the 1960s. Through her relationships with fellow patients, including the enigmatic Lisa, Susanna navigates her mental health struggles and societal expectations of women.
Starring: Winona Ryder, Angelina Jolie, Clea DuVall, Brittany Murphy, Elisabeth Moss, Jared Leto, Jeffrey Tambor, Vanessa Redgrave, Whoopi Goldberg, Angela Bettis, Jillian Armenante, Drucie McDaniel, Alison Claire, Christina Myers, Joanna Kerns, Travis Fine, Gloria Barnhart, Josie Gammell, Bruce Altman, Mary Kay Place, Ray Baker, KaDee Strickland, Christian Monroe, Kurtwood Smith, David Scott Taylor, Janet Greer, C. Scott Grimaldi, Ginny Graham, Richard Domeier, John Kirkman, Sally Bowman, Misha Collins, John Lumia, Marilyn Brett, Henry Alex Rubin, Marilyn Spanier, Linda Gilvear, Allen Strange, Spencer Gates, Rebecca Derrick, Anne Connors, Steve Altes, Joe Gerety, Anne Lewis, Donny Martino Jr., John Levin, Irene Longshore, Katie Rimmer, Jonathan Martin Spirk, John Bobby;
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
“The Skeleton Twins”, 2014
Director: Craig Johnson
When estranged twins Milo and Maggie are brought back together after a suicide attempt, they confront their shared past and individual mental health challenges. The film blends humor and drama as it explores themes of depression, family dynamics, and the importance of connection.
Starring: Bill Hader, Kristen Wiig, Luke Wilson, Ty Burrell, Boyd Holbrook, Joanna Gleason, Kathleen Rose Perkins, Adriane Lenox, Sydney Lucas, Eddie Schweighardt, Paul Castro Jr., Benjamin McGowan, Jennifer Smith, Genevieve Adams, Truck Hudson, Cliff Moylan, David Garelik, Matthew Herington, Ian Donovan Hyland, Jennifer Lafleur, Steve Weir;
Production year: 2014;
Genre: drama, melodrama, comedy;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 93 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,8;
More information about the film “The Skeleton Twins” on the website imdb.com
“I Care a Lot”, 2020
Director: J. Blakeson
This darkly comedic thriller centers on Marla Grayson, a con artist who exploits the elderly for profit. As she faces off against a formidable adversary, the film raises questions about morality, mental health, and the lengths individuals will go to when survival is at stake.
Starring: Rosamund Pike, Peter Dinklage, Eiza González, Dianne Wiest, Chris Messina, Isiah Whitlock Jr., Macon Blair, Alicia Witt, Damian Young, Nicholas Logan, Liz Eng, Celeste Oliva, Georgia Lyman, Moira Driscoll, Gary Tanguay, Lizzie Short, Kevin McCormick, Michael Malvesti, Chris Everett, Danny Schoch, Ava Gaudet, Evelyn Howe, Roger Dillingham Jr., Anthony Hoang, Jose Guns Alves, Ralph Ayala, Kevin Fennessy, Daniel Washington, Kelli LaVita, David Gomes, Chad Knorr, Amanda Anthony, Jacqueline Astbury, Steve Aveson, Michael Balzano III, Jeff Bouffard, Howie Breslau, Ben Bunnag, Christopher Michael Cagle, Marc Carver, Ashley Cerrone, Amy Corral, Marilyn Cortez, Hannah Crowley-Paolillo, Victoria Cyr, Adam Desautels, Janelle Feigley, Heidi Garrow, Jamie Ghazarian, Omar Moustafa Ghonim;
Production year: 2020;
Genre: thriller, drama, comedy, crime;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 118 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 6,4;
“The Edge of Seventeen”, 2016
Director: Kelly Fremon Craig
This coming-of-age film centers on Nadine, a high school junior grappling with the complexities of teenage life, including anxiety and feelings of isolation. With a blend of humor and heartfelt moments, the film captures the struggles of adolescence and the journey to self-acceptance.
Starring: Hailee Steinfeld, Haley Lu Richardson, Blake Jenner, Kyra Sedgwick, Woody Harrelson, Hayden Szeto, Alexander Calvert, Eric Keenleyside, Nesta Cooper, Daniel Bacon, Lina Renna, Ava Grace Cooper, Christian Michael Cooper, Jena Skodje, Josh Simpson, Kavandeep Hayre, Meredith Monroe, Katie Stuart, Lyle Reginald, Chris Shields, Christian Lagasse, Lauren K. Robek, Paul Herbert, Laine McNeil, Peter Brown, David Hardware, Raylene Harewood, Kelsey Marsland-Anderson, Brayden Snow, Kayzhia Snow, Laura Ward;
Production year: 2016;
Genre: drama, comedy;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 104 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,3;
More information about the film “The Edge of Seventeen” on the website imdb.com
“Eighth Grade”, 2018
Director: Bo Burnham
This poignant film follows Kayla, an introverted eighth-grader navigating her final week of middle school. Through her struggles with social anxiety and the pressures of social media, the film captures the challenges faced by today's youth in a digital age.
Starring: Elsie Fisher, Josh Hamilton, Emily Robinson, Jake Ryan, Daniel Zolghadri, Fred Hechinger, Imani Lewis, Luke Prael, Catherine Oliviere, Nora Mullins, Missy Yager, Shacha Temirov, Greg Crowe, Thomas John O'Reilly, Frank Deal, J. Tucker Smith, Tiffany Grossfeld, David Shih, Trinity Goscinsky-Lynch, Natalie Carter, Kevin R. Free, Keith Maurice Davis, Deborah Unger, William Alexander Wunsch, Marguerite Stimpson, Phoebe Amirault, Veronica Bikowicz, Dan Chen, Castor Feinberg, Shira Fisler, Andrew Geher, Katie Jandrasits, Gerald Jones III, Emma Kathryn, Jalesia Martinez, Luke Mulligan, Dina Pearlman, Kaileen Quinones, Shane Stackpole, Tom Stratford, Kathryn Zimmer;
Production year: 2018;
Genre: drama, comedy;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 93 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,4;
More information about the film “Eighth Grade” on the website imdb.com
These films not only entertain but also shed light on the various facets of mental illness, encouraging viewers to engage in meaningful conversations about mental health and its impact on individuals and society.
In the realm of streaming entertainment, Netflix has curated a diverse and thought-provoking selection of films that explore the complexities of mental illness. These films, with their nuanced portrayals and compelling narratives, shed light on the experiences of individuals grappling with various mental health conditions. From the haunting depiction of schizophrenia in “A Beautiful Mind” to the heart-wrenching journey of depression in “Silver Linings Playbook,” Netflix offers a powerful platform for storytelling that fosters empathy and understanding. Through these films, viewers are encouraged to examine their own preconceptions, challenge societal stigmas, and engage in conversations surrounding mental health. With its commitment to showcasing such films, Netflix continues to contribute to the ongoing dialogue about mental illness, ultimately fostering a more compassionate and inclusive society.
