Written By: Olga (Good Movie Finder)
Films about mental disorders are pretty popular in cinema. Such topics arouse constant interest due to the unique plots and the main characters’ eccentric behaviors.
Today, I want to share with you movies about women and mental health, films whose heroines had problems with their perception of reality. (Be warned, this post may contain spoilers!)
Movies About Women and Mental Health
Elle (2016)
This is another mesmerizing thriller from the creator of Basic Instinct. Michelle is the successful owner of a video game development company. But, one day, she becomes a victim of rape in her own home. Instead of going to the police and looking for help, Michelle reacts in an unexpected way.
The heroine has a terrible past; her father was a serial killer. Under the pressure of PTSD, she engages in a game of hide-and-seek with her assailant. The film is shot with mesmerizing skill and scope.
Melancholia (2011)
This movie is the second film in the “Depression Trilogy” directed by Lars von Trier. The first half of the movie focuses on the heroine’s wedding. But, the atmosphere is full of tension and uncertainty, and it quickly turns into chaos before the inevitable happens. The giant gas planet Melancholia is approaching Earth, threatening death for all living things.
Lars von Trier wrote the Melancholia script, relying on his own experience. The idea for the film came to him during a therapy session, when a doctor told him that depressed people act more calmly in stressful situations because they already expect bad things to happen. The filmmaker decided to depict the apocalypse, focusing on studying the human psyche during the disaster.
Tully (2017)
Tully lives in a small house and does not have time to clean. She is constantly running around with her two children; most importantly, she will soon give birth to a third child. Her more successful brother worries about her and suggests that she hire a “night nanny” who will sit with the child so that she, the mother, can get some sleep. The brother will bear all the expenses for the nanny. But, look what came of it!
The film clearly shows what postpartum depression and pathological sadness can look like. Society expects a woman to endlessly enjoy motherhood, to endure the daily routine without complaint, and never to stuff her children with frozen pizza. At the same time, she should have time to dress up as a waitress to make her husband’s intimate dreams come true! Is it possible to pull everything out on your own?
*Yes, motherhood can be challenging! If you are interested in this topic, check out my ten favorite movies about motherhood.
Black Swan (2010)
In this film, Natalie Portman plays the role of Nina Sayers, a young ballerina following in her mother’s footsteps. She has been chosen to play the black swan role in the upcoming Swan Lake production, but doubts and anxiety prevent the ballerina from performing to the full extent of her abilities. The girl’s psyche cannot stand it, and obsessive visions begin to torment her.
It is a strong, emotional, intoxicating and atmospheric film about the rigors of such a beautiful dance called ballet. Stunning visuals are combined with the distorted emotional world of the main character.
Girl, Interrupted (1999)
In 1967, 18-year-old Suzanne took a pack of aspirin with vodka and ended up in a psychiatric hospital, although she was insistent that she did not try to commit suicide. Girl, Interrupted is a picture of the life of girls in the late ‘60s with various diseases in a psychiatric clinic. These are characters that will be remembered for a long time; eating disorders, depression, psychological trauma, self-harm and many others are problems so familiar to millions. We see them all in this film.
*This tape is a woman’s response to One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.
He Loves Me… He Loves Me Not (2002)
Angelique is an impressionable art college student played by the nervous Audrey Tautou. The girl is in love with a cardiologist named Loïc Le Garrec. He also seems to love her very much, but he cannot suddenly leave his pregnant wife Rachel, which makes Angelique very upset.
This film allows us to look at history through the eyes of two people. In the first part, the heroine has an affair with a married cardiologist. In the second part, shown through the eyes of a cardiologist, we understand that the girl invented everything for herself, and the cardiologist is nothing more than a neighbor.
It is one of my favorite mental health movies.
The Uninvited (2009)
After the death of her mother, Anna ends up in a clinic. After treatment, she returns home and learns that her father is dating Rachel, a nurse who once cared for her dying mother. Anna’s confusion turns to horror when her mother’s ghost visits her and informs her of the nurse’s evil intentions. Together, with the help of her sister, she begins to investigate the strange circumstances of her mother’s death.
In this film, you will see depression, paranoia, attempted suicide, hallucinations, obsessions, and amnesia. Will Anna be able to deal with this?
Veronika Decides to Die (2009)
In search of a band-aid for mental trauma called “life,” Veronica eats a whole first aid kit of multi-colored pills, writes a suicide letter to a fashion magazine… and comes to her senses in a hospital bed. The attending physician tells the girl that she has caused irreparable damage to her own heart and will soon die. However, instead of rejoicing at this news, Veronica falls in love with an autistic young man and, extremely inopportunely, acquires a taste for the life she was in a hurry to part with.
It’s a pity that Veronica was able to start her life only after learning that she will soon die.
The Virgin Suicides (1999)
This movie is an adaptation of Jeffrey Eugenides’ novel with the same title. Five teenage sisters are isolated by their religious parents after one of them commits suicide.
Sofia Coppola’s heartbreaking film doesn’t mince words in its depiction of depression, which, in the case of the five Lisbon sisters, turns into a group experience that leads to tragic suicide. She links the disorder to puberty and maturation and demonstrates how outsiders sometimes do not realize the power of the mental impact.
A Streetcar Named Desire (1951)
A troubled Southern belle, Blanche, moves to New Orleans with her sister and loutish brother-in-law. The heroine tells her sister that she is broke, has left her job, and has nowhere to live. Stanley, the embodiment of rudeness, immediately dislikes her for her addiction to alcohol and inappropriate coquetry. Soon, Blanche has an admirer and a ghostly hope of marriage, but Stanley upsets their engagement.
This film is a beautiful work by Vivien Leigh. She was able to show a portrait of a woman with mental illness clearly.
*If you love this actress then check out my selection of the best movies of Vivien Leigh.
Still Alice (2014)
A linguistics professor’s life changes dramatically when she is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. (While this is not a mental illness, it can still contribute to mental health struggles and may present similar challenges.)
This film has heartbreaking, authentic depictions of Alzheimer’s disease, including all the small details and symptoms that may appear. Julianne Moore has deservedly collected numerous awards for her performance in Still Alice. Kristen Stewart, who portrays the daughter of a woman experiencing memory loss, flawlessly captures her character’s essence.
Final Words
I’ve wrapped up my compilation of movies about women and mental health, although there are many more I could discuss. I trust you discovered some new and exciting films to watch this weekend!
Author Bio
“Hi, my name is Olga, and I have always loved cinema and psychology. I have often asked myself: Can a film be a personal therapist? The answer is obvious: it can. A talented film can turn the soul and change consciousness. Check out the articles on https://goodmoviefinder.com for more insights.”
