Films on Netflix About Suicide
The topic of suicide is a sensitive yet significant subject explored in various films, often delving into the complexities of mental health, the struggles of individuals in distress, and the impact of these tragedies on loved ones. These films can serve as both a reflection of societal issues and a means to foster understanding, empathy, and dialogue around mental health. On Netflix, several films tackle these themes, providing poignant narratives that engage with the topic responsibly.
Here’s a list of films available on Netflix that address the subject of suicide:
“The Virgin Suicides”, 1999
Director: Sofia Coppola
Set in suburban Michigan during the 1970s, this film follows the lives of the five Lisbon sisters, whose strict upbringing leads them to a tragic fate. The story is narrated through the eyes of neighborhood boys, exploring themes of isolation and the enigmatic nature of the sisters.
Starring: James Woods, Kathleen Turner, Kirsten Dunst, Josh Hartnett, Michael Paré, Scott Glenn, Danny DeVito, A.J. Cook, Hanna R. Hall, Leslie Hayman, Chelse Swain, Anthony DeSimone, Lee Kagan, Robert Schwartzman, FourTee, Jonathan Tucker, Joe Roncetti, Hayden Christensen, Chris Hale, Joe Dinicol, Suki Kaiser, Dawn Greenhalgh, Allen Stewart-Coates, Sherry Miller, Jonathon Whittaker, Michelle Duquet, Murray McRae, Roberta Hanley, Paul Sybersma, Susan Sybersma, Peter Snider, Gary Brennan, Charles Boyland, Dustin Ladd, Kristin Fairlie, Melody Johnson, Sheyla Molho, Ashley Ainsworth, Courtney Hawkrigg, François Klanfer, Mackenzie Lawrenz, Tim Hall, Amos Crawley, Andrew Gillies, Mairlyn Smith, Sally Cahill, Tracy Ferencz, Scot Denton, Catherine Swing, Timothy Adams;
Production year: 1999;
Genre: drama, melodrama;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 97 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,2;
More information about the film “The Virgin Suicides” on the website imdb.com
“A Star Is Born”, 2018
Director: Bradley Cooper
This modern retelling follows the turbulent relationship between seasoned musician Jackson Maine and aspiring singer Ally. As Jackson battles his inner demons and substance abuse, the film poignantly addresses the impact of mental health struggles and the heartbreaking consequences they can have.
Starring: Lady GaGa, Bradley Cooper, Sam Elliott, Dave Chappelle, Andrew Dice Clay, Anthony Ramos, Rafi Gavron, Greg Grunberg, Alec Baldwin, Marlon Williams, Brandi Carlile, Ron Rifkin, Barry Shabaka Henley, Michael D. Roberts, Michael Harney, Rebecca Field, Derek Kevin Jones, Willam Belli, Dennis Tong, Josh Wells, D.J. «Shangela» Pierce, Eddie Griffin, Drena De Niro, Sanaa Chappelle, Leandro De Niro Rodriguez, Jacob Schick, Gabe Fazio, Benjamin Rice, Halsey, William H. Slattery III, Robert S. Wilhelm Jr., Luenell, Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real, Lukas Nelson, Anthony LoGerfo, Alberto Bof, Corey McCormick, Jesse Berg, Tato Melgar, Don Was, Victor Indrizzo, George Doering, Michael Bearden, Lenny Castro, Chris Kelly, Don Roy King, Gena Rositano, Greg Scarnici, Michael Mancini;
Production year: 2018;
Genre: melodrama, music, drama;
MPAA rating: r;
Duration: 136 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 7,6;
More information about the film “A Star Is Born” on the website imdb.com
“To the Bone”, 2017
Director: Marti Noxon
This drama centers on a young woman struggling with anorexia and her journey through a group home for treatment. While primarily focused on eating disorders, the film also touches on suicidal thoughts and the emotional turmoil that accompanies mental illness.
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 her experiences in a mental health facility in the 1960s. It examines the lives of young women grappling with various mental health issues, including suicidal ideation, and highlights the complexities of recovery and friendship.
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
“Dead Poets Society”, 1989
Director: Peter Weir
Although not solely about suicide, this classic film addresses the pressures faced by students in a conservative preparatory school. The story culminates in a tragic event that serves as a catalyst for discussions about individuality, passion, and the consequences of societal expectations.
Starring: Robin Williams, Robert Sean Leonard, Ethan Hawke, Josh Charles, Gale Hansen, Dylan Kussman, Allelon Ruggiero, James Waterston, Norman Lloyd, Kurtwood Smith, Carla Belver, Leon Pownall, George Martin, Joe Aufiery, Matt Carey, Kevin Cooney, Jane Moore, Lara Flynn Boyle, Colin Irving, Alexandra Powers, Melora Walters, Welker White, Steve Mathios, Alan Pottinger, Pamela Burrell, Allison Hedges, Christine D'Ercole, John Cunningham, Debra Mooney, John Martin Bradley, Charles Lord, Kurt Leitner, Richard Stites, James J. Christy, Catherine Soles, Hoover Sutton, James Donnell Quinn, Simon Mein, Ashton W. Richards, Robert Gleason, Bill Rowe, Robert J. Zigler III, Keith Snyder, Nicholas K. Gilhool, Jonas Stiklorius, Craig Johnson, Chris Hull, Jason Woody, Sam Stegeman, Andrew Hill;
Production year: 1989;
Genre: drama;
MPAA rating: pg;
Duration: 128 min.;
Rating: IMDB: 8,1;
More information about the film “Dead Poets Society” on the website imdb.com
“The Perks of Being a Wallflower”, 2012
Director: Stephen Chbosky
This coming-of-age story follows Charlie, a socially awkward high school freshman, as he navigates friendships, trauma, and mental health challenges. The film delicately touches on themes of depression and the impact of suicide on those left behind.
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
“13 Reasons Why: Beyond the Reasons”, 2017
Director: –
This docuseries serves as a companion to the controversial series “13 Reasons Why,” which addresses the suicide of a high school student. It delves into the real-life implications of the show's themes, discussing mental health resources and the importance of open conversations about suicide.
Starring: Jay Asher, Alisha Boe, Brandon Flynn, Selena Gomez, Rebecca Hedrick, Miles Heizer, Helen Hsu, Rona Hu, Katherine Langford, Kenny Lorenzetti, Derek Luke, Tom McCarthy, Dylan Minnette, Justin Prentice, Mandy Teefey, Kate Walsh, Brian Yorkey, Federica Alice Carlino, Liam Davis, Marissa Monet Freeman;
Production year: 2017;
Genre: documentary, talk show;
Rating: IMDB: 6,2;
More information about the film “13 Reasons Why: Beyond the Reasons” on the website imdb.com
These films not only explore the topic of suicide but also highlight the importance of understanding mental health issues, promoting awareness, and encouraging conversations about these critical subjects.
In conclusion, the selection of films on Netflix that tackle the sensitive subject of suicide serves as a profound exploration of the human condition, offering varied perspectives that range from the deeply personal to the universally relatable. These films not only encourage viewers to confront the stigma surrounding mental health but also foster empathy and understanding through their compelling narratives and character development. By shedding light on the complexities of despair, hope, and the struggles of those affected, these cinematic works remind us of the importance of connection and the need for open dialogue about mental health. Ultimately, they challenge us to reflect on our own lives and the lives of those around us, making these films both poignant and necessary in today's world.
