Cinema may be a strong tool for raising awareness about critical societal issues or noteworthy events that occur on a daily basis. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 1 million adults attempted suicide in the United States in 2019. Several films have explored the emotional extremes that lead someone into a dark corner. It’s also critical to raise awareness about teen suicide, sadness, and mental illness. As a result, here is a Netflix selection of eye-opening films about suicide. Some of these films are also available on Amazon Prime or Hulu.
3 Idiots (2009)
After high school, engineering is one of the most popular academic programs in India. As a result, getting into the best engineering universities is a tough nut to crack. The 2009 comedy-drama ‘3 Idiots’ is one Indian film that captures the essence of this entire event. This video follows the lives of three students at one of the country’s most prestigious engineering schools.
While the two of them barely pass their examinations, Rancho is always at the top of the class in every subject. It is not uncommon for students to attempt suicide as a result of rising pressure. This film harshly criticizes the Indian educational system while maintaining a fantastic sense of humour. With his outstanding portrayal as the protagonist character Rancho, Aamir Khan steals the show.
All the Bright Places (2020)
The story of a young high school pair is touching and takes the emotions of youngsters seriously, despite being classified as a romance. Violet Markey (Elle Fanning) and Theodore Finch (Justice Smith) meet at a vulnerable point in their lives. Their connection blossoms into a profound bond, demonstrating the power of compassion and attention for someone going through a difficult period. The video leaves us with the notion that not everyone is who they appear to be, and that we will never know unless we make an effort to be there in the lives of others. It also emphasizes how the process of coping with sorrow and trauma evolves through time and with life experiences.
Audrie & Daisy (2016)
The documentary ‘Audrie & Daisy’ examines the repercussions of online bullying. It depicts adolescent females in the United States being bullied for being rape victims, as well as the ramifications in their daily life. Audrie Pott, a 15-year-old girl who was sexually abused at a party, is one of the real-life stories told in this film. She committed suicide after images of the incident were uploaded online. ‘Audrie & Daisy’ is a candid and unbiased documentary that parents and teenagers should watch.
‘Bird Box,’ a Netflix original picture, starring Sandra Bullock as a woman struggling to defend herself and her family from a terrible threat that may kill them at any time. The story takes place in a time when mysterious creatures have fallen upon the world and killed the majority of the human population. These species, on the other hand, do not participate in the killing. Anyone who stares at them becomes insane and kills himself.
Malorie Hayes must navigate herself and two children to safety before they are ambushed in the thick of all of this. The problem is that they must navigate through dangerous region while blindfolded. The picture offers an intriguing premise, but it functions similarly to many other zombie films we’ve watched over the years. Bullock, as always, gives a stunning performance as the film’s key character.
Evelyn (2018)
Another documentary comes to a close this list. ‘Evelyn,’ directed by British filmmaker Orlando von Einsiedel, is a series about his own family. Orlando’s brother Evelyn committed suicide thirteen years before to the making of this film. The story revolves around Orlando’s family’s attempts to cope with the catastrophe. The entire family goes on lengthy walks to locations where Evelyn used to walk while he was alive, and this is how they remember him. The film shows us how a suicide case affects not only the person who commits themselves, but also their family and loved ones. Orlando should be commended for his bravery in exposing this delicate area of his family to the rest of the world.
Horse Girl (2020)
‘Horse Girl,’ directed and co-written by Jeff Baena, starring Alison Brie, Debby Ryan, John Reynolds, Molly Shannon, and John Ortiz in a psychological drama thriller. Sarah, an introverted young woman who has recently lost her mother to suicide and is slowly coming to terms with the brutal reality, is the protagonist of the film. Her life, however, quickly spirals out of control as she begins to experience paranoid delusions. To make matters worse, Sarah begins to sleepwalk as the trauma she has endured over the years causes her former memories and reality to be shattered.
Kingdom of Us (2017)
‘Kingdom of Us’ is a documentary about a family attempting to recover from loss and move on with their lives. After Paul Shanks commits suicide, his wife Vikie and their seven children are forced to fend for themselves while dealing with his death. While the family is dealing with financial difficulties, the emotional loss and sadness that comes with the loss of a father and husband makes the entire experience nightmare-like and demoralizing. The documentary, directed by Lucy Cohen, is a moving film that explores the aftermath of suicide.
My Suicide (2009)
‘My Suicide,’ also known as ‘Archie’s Final Project,’ is a dark comedy-drama that launched a social media movement to raise awareness about teen suicide. Archie (Gabriel Sunday) is a socially awkward high school student who becomes a sensation when he says that he will commit suicide on tape for his cinematography project.
Archie not only attracts the attention of the most popular and attractive lady in school, but also the perverted school psychiatrist, as a result of his actions. David Lee Miller produced and directed ‘My Suicide.’ Gabriel Sunday, on the other hand, not only acts in the film but also contributes to its scripting, editing, additional camera work, and co-production. This film employs an interesting storytelling technique that viewers may like.
The Discovery (2017)
Robert Redford plays a scientist who discovers scientific proof that there is an afterlife. His son (Jason Segel), on the other hand, is skeptical of his father’s “finding.” He tries to aid a strange woman (Rooney Mara) who has her own motivations for wanting to learn more about the afterlife after a sequence of occurrences. Charlie McDowell, a writer-director, has developed a unique sci-fi picture that examines not just the meaning of life (and the possibility of an afterlife), but also suicide. It gives a unique perspective on awareness and death that is well worth seeing.
To the Bone (2017)
‘To the Bone,’ directed and written by Marti Noxon, stars Lily Collins, Keanu Reeves, Carrie Preston, Lili Taylor, and Alex Sharp. The film follows a 20-year-old woman suffering from anorexia and the health challenges she faces despite undergoing treatment. The protagonist, on the other hand, undergoes a life-changing metamorphosis after meeting an unusual psychiatrist who challenges her to embrace herself with all of her flaws. The film depicts her mental health troubles as well as the difficulties she faces as a result of her anorexia.
