Cinema is a potent tool for bringing critical social issues or significant daily occurrences to the public’s attention. The U.S. Centres for Disease Control and Prevention report that more than 1 million adult attempts at suicide occurred in 2019. Many films have dealt with the emotional extremes that force someone into a dark corner. Additionally, it is crucial to spread awareness about teen suicide, sadness, and mental illness. Consequently, the following is a collection of sobering Netflix films about suicide. Some of these films are also available to stream on Hulu and Amazon Prime.
A Man Called Otto (2022)
Marc Forster is the director of the comedy-drama “A Man Called Otto.” In ‘A Man Called Ove,’ an adaptation of the Swedish film, Tom Hanks plays Otto Anderson, a widower in suburban Pittsburgh who is dealing with his wife’s death and his own inner troubles. In the course of the movie, Otto muses of killing himself because of his persistent flashbacks. But a slew of incidents and the entrance of new neighbours bring him back from the brink. The video explores sorrow, despair, and the importance of community and human connection while still containing humorous and joyful moments.
A Sun (2019)
Taiwanese drama film “A Sun” was helmed by Chung Mong-hong. The Taipei-based film centres on Chen Jian Ho, a troubled adolescent who struggles with juvenile crime. Tragically, his brother Hao ends his life after becoming depressed from the demands of his family and constant attention. As it goes deeply into the topics of familial ties, atonement, and the stark differences between success and failure in society, the movie takes us on an emotional trip. With powerful performances from Chen Yi-wen, Samantha Ko, Wu Chien-ho, and others, it raises awareness of suicide and Taiwan’s pronounced social inequality.
All the Bright Places (2020)
The tale of a young high school pair is heartfelt and takes youthful emotions seriously despite being classified as a romance. When they first meet, Theodore Finch (Justice Smith) and Violet Markey (Elle Fanning) are each at their most vulnerable. Their relationship illustrates the impact of love and attention and what it can do for a person going through difficult times as their friendship develops into a strong bond. The lesson of the movie is that not everyone is as they seem, and one can never be sure unless they genuinely try to be in the other person’s life. Additionally, it emphasises how time and life experiences influence how one deals with loss and trauma.
Audrie & Daisy (2016)
The documentary “Audrie & Daisy” explores the impacts of cyberbullying. It depicts bullying of young females in the United States and the effects that has on their daily life. Audrie Pott, a 15-year-old who was sexually abused at a party, is one of the real-life stories shown in this movie. She committed suicide after images from the event were uploaded online. Parents and teenagers alike should view the documentary “Audrie & Daisy,” which is open-minded and truthful.
Bird Box (2018)
In the Netflix original movie “Bird Box,” Sandra Bullock plays a lady who is attempting to defend herself and her family from a potentially fatal threat. The story takes place in a time when some mysterious creatures have invaded the world and killed the majority of the human population. These creatures don’t participate in the killing themselves, though. Anyone who gazes upon them eventually goes insane and commits suicide.
Malorie Hayes is forced to lead her two children and herself to safety in the midst of all of this before they are attacked. However, the problem is that they must pass through the dangerous area while keeping their eyes closed. The movie’s premise is intriguing, but it generally functions in a manner similar to many other zombie movies we’ve watched over the years. Bullock gives a strong performance as the title character, as she always does.
Blonde (2022)
The biographical drama film “Blonde,” directed by Andrew Dominik, offers a recreated version of the life of the legendary Marilyn Monroe. The story weaves the actress’s ascent to fame with her personal troubles against the backdrop of Hollywood’s Golden Age. Monroe’s private life is ruined as she becomes a worldwide celebrity by heartbreak, identity struggles, and the tremendous expectations of fame. Beyond the glitz and glamour, the movie offers a moving examination of identity, exploitation in the entertainment sector, and the terrible consequences of untreated mental health issues.
Boy Erased (2018)
Joel Edgerton is the director of the biographical drama movie “Boy Erased.” The plot of the film, which is based on Garrard Conley’s memoir, is on Jared Eamons, played by Lucas Hedges, a young man who is coerced by his Baptist parents (Nicole Kidman and Russell Crowe) into participating in a gay conversion therapy programme. Jared struggles with his identity and prior traumas as he faces the program’s repressive practises. This video delves deeply into the problems experienced by LGBTQ+ people, particularly in religious environments, and exposes the negative effects of conversion therapy.
Christine (2016)
Antonio Campos’ biographical drama film “Christine” digs deeply into the realm of 1970s television news. Christine Chubbuck, a devoted but inwardly conflicted news reporter in Sarasota, Florida, is profiled in the movie. Her emotional state deteriorates as she battles personal difficulties and professional frustrations. She becomes especially upset when the news network starts prioritising spectacular tales above accurate reporting. The movie explores the subtleties of despair, loneliness, and burnout in the workplace.
Evelyn (2018)
This list is concluded with one more documentary. “Evelyn,” a television series from British director Orlando von Einsiedel, is based on his own family. Orlando’s brother Evelyn committed suicide thirteen years before to the release of this movie. The main focus of the movie is how Orlando’s family has adjusted to the catastrophe. To commemorate Evelyn, the entire family goes on extended walks in the areas where he used to stroll when he was alive. The movie shows us how a suicide case affects not just the victim but also their family and loved ones. Orlando deserves kudos for having the guts to expose this delicate facet of his family for all of humanity to learn from.
Girl, Interrupted (1999)
James Mangold’s psychological drama film “Girl, Interrupted,” which is based on Susanna Kaysen’s autobiography, is a psychological thriller. The story centres on Winona Ryder’s character Susanna Kaysen, an 18-year-old who attempts suicide and ends up in an institution. She encounters a variety of other young women in the psychiatric hospital who are all coping with different mental health problems. The character of Lisa Rowe, a disobedient sociopath who has a significant impact on Susanna’s life, is played by Angelina Jolie. The film provides a close-up look into the lives of these women while examining mental health conditions like anorexia, schizophrenia, and borderline personality disorder. The movie emphasises the subtleties of institutional life and personal hardships with a remarkable performance by Jolie.
Horse Girl (2020)
The psychological drama film “Horse Girl,” directed and co-written by Jeff Baena, starring Alison Brie, Debby Ryan, John Reynolds, Molly Shannon, and John Ortiz. The movie centres on Sarah, an introverted young woman who has lost her mother to suicide and is slowly accepting the painful reality. Her life quickly spirals out of control though as she begins to have paranoid illusions after that. Sarah’s recollections of the past and her reality become distorted as a result of the trauma she has endured over the years, which only makes things worse when she begins to sleepwalk.
Kingdom of Us (2017)
The documentary “Kingdom of Us” centres on a family attempting to move on from a traumatic experience. Paul Shanks commits himself, leaving his wife Vikie, their seven children, and themselves to cope with his passing. Even if the family is experiencing financial difficulties, the emotional loss and sadness brought on by the loss of a father and husband make the situation nightmare-like and demoralising. The moving documentary directed by Lucy Cohen provides viewers with a window into the consequences of suicide.
My Suicide (2009)
Award-winning dark comedy-drama ‘My Suicide,’ also known as ‘Archie’s Final Project,’ is what started the social media movement to raise awareness of teen suicide. Archie (Gabriel Sunday), a high school student who is often reclusive, makes headlines when he declares that he is going to commit himself for his cinematography project on camera.
By doing this, Archie attracts the attention of the deranged school psychiatrist in addition to the most popular and prettiest female in school. David Lee Miller is the producer and director of “My Suicide.” Gabriel Sunday contributes to the screenplay, editing, extra camera work, and co-production of the movie in addition to his role as an actor. This movie has a highly unique storytelling technique that audiences could like.
The Discovery (2017)
Robert Redford’s character, a scientist, discovers evidence that supports the existence of an afterlife. His son (Jason Segel), meanwhile, is not quite confident in his father’s “discovery.” He tries to assist a strange woman (Rooney Mara) following a sequence of incidents, but she has her own motivations for wanting to learn more about the afterlife. The sci-fi picture Charlie McDowell wrote and directed examines suicide as well as the meaning of life (and a possible afterlife). It’s worth viewing since it offers an intriguing perspective on consciousness and dying.
To the Bone (2017)
The movie “To the Bone,” which stars Lily Collins, Keanu Reeves, Carrie Preston, Lili Taylor, and Alex Sharp, was written and directed by Marti Noxon. The movie follows a 20-year-old anorexic woman as she battles health problems despite receiving treatment. The protagonist, however, experiences a life-altering shift after meeting an unorthodox doctor who challenges her to accept herself with all of the imperfections. Her mental health problems and the difficulties associated with anorexia are depicted in the film.
