Best Movies About Mental Illness

From David Fincher, starring Brad Pitt, Edward Norton, Meat Loaf, Zach Grenier
Rated R

Fight Club is a 1999 film directed by David Fincher. It stars Edward Norton and Brad Pitt and follows the story of an unnamed narrator (Norton) who is suffering from insomnia. He meets a soap salesman, Tyler Durden (Pitt), who helps him to form an underground fighting club. The fight club spreads to other major cities and the members become increasingly radical and dangerous, ultimately leading to a plot to destroy the corporate world. The film explores themes of masculinity, consumerism, and anarchism, and is an adaptation of the 1996 novel of the same name by Chuck Palahniuk.

From Milos Forman, starring Jack Nicholson, Louise Fletcher, Michael Berryman, Peter Brocco
Rated R

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest is a 1975 American drama film directed by Milos Forman and based on the 1962 novel of the same name by Ken Kesey. The story follows Randle McMurphy, a mischievous criminal who is sent for psychological evaluation to a mental institution, where he clashes with the oppressive Nurse Ratched, who rules the hospital with an iron fist. McMurphy attempts to help the other inmates who are being oppressed and dehumanized by the hospital staff. He ultimately stands up to Nurse Ratched and her oppressive regime, resulting in his own incarceration and a tragic outcome for himself and his fellow inmates. The film stars Jack Nicholson, Louise Fletcher, Will Sampson, and Brad Dourif, and won five Academy Awards including Best Picture.

From Alfred Hitchcock, starring Anthony Perkins, Janet Leigh, Vera Miles, John Gavin
Rated R

Psycho is a classic Hitchcock thriller from 1960 that follows the story of Marion Crane, a secretary who impulsively steals $40,000 from her employer and goes on the run. She winds up at the Bates Motel, a seemingly idyllic retreat. Little does she know, the proprietor is the deranged Norman Bates, who oversees the motel with an iron fist and has a deadly secret lurking in the shadows. As Marion's past catches up with her, she is plunged into a terrifying nightmare from which there may be no escape. The film is considered a masterpiece of suspense and horror, and is famous for its groundbreaking shower scene.

From Sam Mendes, starring Kevin Spacey, Annette Bening, Thora Birch, Wes Bentley
Rated R

American Beauty tells the story of Lester Burnham, a middle-aged man in the midst of a midlife crisis. Unhappy with his mundane life, he quits his job and begins to focus on himself. Meanwhile, his teenage daughter, Jane, is struggling with her own identity as she gets involved with a troubled classmate, Ricky Fitts. With his newfound freedom, Lester begins to reevaluate his life and see the beauty in it all. As his journey of self-discovery unfolds, the lives of the people around him unravel in unexpected ways. In the end, Lester discovers that beauty can be found in the most unexpected places.

From Asghar Farhadi, starring Payman Maadi, Leila Hatami, Sareh Bayat, Shahab Hosseini
Rated PG-13

A Separation is a 2011 Iranian drama film written and directed by Asghar Farhadi. The movie follows Simin and Nader, a married couple who separate after Simin files for divorce, as they both fight for the custody of their 11-year-old daughter. Simin moves back to her parents' home while Nader hires a young woman named Razieh to help care for his elderly father while he is at work. When a misunderstanding between Razieh and Nader leads to a tragedy, Simin and Nader are forced to confront the truth of their marriage and the consequences of their actions. Through its exploration of the tensions between family, personal beliefs, and the law, A Separation offers a complex look at the moral and emotional complexities of modern Iranian life.

From Barry Levinson, starring Dustin Hoffman, Tom Cruise, Valeria Golino, Gerald R. Molen
Rated R

Rain Man is an Academy Award-winning film, directed by Barry Levinson and starring Tom Cruise and Dustin Hoffman. The film follows the story of Charlie Babbitt (Tom Cruise), a self-centered car dealer who discovers that his estranged father has left his fortune to his institutionalized autistic brother Raymond (Dustin Hoffman). Charlie decides to take Raymond out of the institution and bring him to Los Angeles, in order to get his hands on the fortune. Along the way, Charlie learns to appreciate Raymond's unique gifts and discovers a strong bond between them. Through the journey, Charlie learns to put his own selfish desires aside and care for his brother in a way he never was able to before. In the end, he is able to accept his brother for who he is and make peace with his father's decision.

From Darren Aronofsky, starring Natalie Portman, Mila Kunis, Vincent Cassel, Winona Ryder
Rated R

Black Swan is a psychological thriller film directed by Darren Aronofsky. It follows the story of Nina Sayers (Natalie Portman), a talented but highly anxious dancer who is competing for the leading role in a production of Swan Lake. As Nina begins to prepare for the demanding role of the Swan Queen, she finds herself in a dark and increasingly dangerous psychological state, struggling to keep hold of her own identity while simultaneously embodying the dual roles of the White Swan and the Black Swan. Along the way, Nina must battle her own fears, insecurities, and doubts while trying to avoid the manipulative clutches of her demanding mentor, Thomas Leroy (Vincent Cassel). The film culminates in a riveting and intense finale as Nina struggles to reconcile her dual roles and her own personal demons.

From Elia Kazan, starring Vivien Leigh, Marlon Brando, Kim Hunter, Karl Malden
Rated PG

A Streetcar Named Desire is a 1951 drama directed by Elia Kazan and starring Marlon Brando, Vivien Leigh, Kim Hunter and Karl Malden. The movie follows the story of southern belle Blanche DuBois (Leigh) as she moves in with her sister Stella (Hunter) and her brother-in-law Stanley (Brando) in the French Quarter of New Orleans. Blanche is immediately uncomfortable with her new surroundings and Stanley's harsh, domineering presence. The movie chronicles Blanche's struggles to maintain the façade of her upper-class upbringing, while Stanley and Stella's relationship is put to the test as the power dynamics between the three become increasingly volatile. As Blanche attempts to start a new life, the secrets from her past begin to unravel and she is eventually forced to confront the harsh truths of her present situation. The film is an emotionally charged exploration of human fragility, desire, and mortality.

From Rob Reiner, starring James Caan, Kathy Bates, Richard Farnsworth, Frances Sternhagen
Rated R

Misery is a psychological horror-thriller film directed by Rob Reiner. The film follows novelist Paul Sheldon (James Caan), who is rescued from a car accident by his number one fan, Annie Wilkes (Kathy Bates). Annie is a nurse who claims to be his “number one fan”, but soon turns out to be a psychopath. She holds Paul captive in her house and forces him to write a novel that she wants. As Annie’s demands become increasingly violent, Paul must find a way to escape her wrath and regain his freedom. The film is a thrilling look at obsession and its destructive power.

From Robert Redford, starring Donald Sutherland, Mary Tyler Moore, Judd Hirsch, Timothy Hutton
Rated R

Ordinary People is a 1980 American drama film directed by Robert Redford. It tells the story of a suburban family struggling to cope with the death of one of their sons and the emotional toll it takes on their relationships with one another. The movie stars Donald Sutherland, Mary Tyler Moore, Judd Hirsch, Timothy Hutton, and M. Emmet Walsh. The story follows the Jarrett family's struggle to come to terms with their grief and build a new life in the aftermath of the death of their oldest son. The surviving son, Conrad (Hutton), is wracked with guilt and guilt-induced depression, which causes the family to struggle to come together. He is sent to therapy with psychiatrist Dr. Berger (Hirsch) who helps him learn to cope with his guilt and deal with his emotions. Through Conrad's therapy and the family's efforts to heal, the Jarrett family is able to come together, learning to accept and forgive one another. In the end, the family is able to move on with their lives and come to terms with the tragedy that has befallen them.

From Lasse Hallström, starring Johnny Depp, Leonardo DiCaprio, Juliette Lewis, Mary Steenburgen
Rated PG-13

What's Eating Gilbert Grape is a 1993 drama directed by Lasse Hallström and starring Johnny Depp, Juliette Lewis, and Leonardo DiCaprio. The film follows Gilbert Grape (Depp), a young man who is struggling to take care of his family in a small Iowa town. His mother is obese and depressed, his younger brother Arnie (DiCaprio) is mentally disabled, and his elder brother, played by John C. Reilly, is an alcoholic with a criminal record. Gilbert works at a local grocery store and is the only one who looks after Arnie, who often gets into trouble around town. Gilbert also finds himself attracted to a young woman named Becky (Lewis), who has recently returned to town with her grandmother. The film follows Gilbert as he struggles to come to terms with the dysfunction of his family and his own life, while trying to find a way to make a better life for himself and his family. Eventually, he comes to realize the importance of his family, the beauty of his hometown, and the importance of loving those around him despite their flaws.

From Brad Anderson, starring Christian Bale, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Aitana Sánchez-Gijón, John Sharian
Rated R

The Machinist is a psychological thriller starring Christian Bale as Trevor Reznik, an insomniac factory worker who has been suffering from extreme sleep deprivation for a year. With no memories of the past year, Reznik becomes increasingly paranoid and delusional as he attempts to find out the truth behind a mysterious note left in his apartment. As he unravels the secrets behind the note, he discovers a shocking connection between his insomnia and the events of his past. With the help of a new friend, Stevie (Jennifer Jason Leigh), Reznik is able to confront his demons and uncover the truth about his condition and those responsible for it.

From David O. Russell, starring Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence, Robert De Niro, Jacki Weaver
Rated R

Silver Linings Playbook is a romantic comedy-drama film directed by David O. Russell. It follows Pat Solatano (Bradley Cooper), a man who moves back in with his parents after spending eight months in a mental institution. Pat is determined to rebuild his life, remain positive, and reunite with his wife, Nikki. When he meets Tiffany (Jennifer Lawrence), a mysterious girl with problems of her own, he finds a silver lining in his life and it helps him to overcome his problems. They form an unlikely bond, and as they work together to win a dance competition, they find a way to help each other with their respective issues and find a way to move on from their pasts.

From Mary Harron, starring Christian Bale, Justin Theroux, Josh Lucas, Bill Sage
Rated R

American Psycho is a psychological horror-thriller film directed by Mary Harron and based on the novel of the same name by Bret Easton Ellis. It follows the story of Patrick Bateman, a wealthy, materialistic Wall Street banker in 1980s New York City who begins to suffer from extreme mental illness and has violent fantasies. His obsession with status, wealth, and power leads him to commit a series of gruesome murders. As his mental state deteriorates, he starts to blur the lines between reality and fantasy, leading to a violent and disturbing climax. The film has gained a cult following and was praised for its darkly humorous take on consumerism and the "yuppie" lifestyle.

From Susanne Bier, starring Ulrich Thomsen, Nikolaj Lie Kaas, Connie Nielsen, Sarah Juel Werner
Rated R

Brothers is a 2004 Danish drama directed by Susanne Bier. The film follows two Danish brothers, Michael and Jannik, who are estranged until a tragedy brings them together. Michael is sent off to serve in the military, leaving Jannik to care for their ill father and his pregnant wife. When Michael returns from war, the brothers must come to terms with the events that have transpired in their absence. The film examines how their relationships with each other and their family are changed by their different experiences. Ultimately, Michael and Jannik must learn to accept each other and move forward together as a family.

From Lynne Ramsay, starring Tilda Swinton, John C. Reilly, Ezra Miller, Jasper Newell
Rated R

We Need to Talk About Kevin is a 2011 British-American drama film directed by Lynne Ramsay, and adaptation of Lionel Shriver's 2003 novel of the same name. It stars Tilda Swinton as the distraught mother of Kevin, a teenage boy who has committed a massacre at his high school. The film follows Swinton's character as she struggles to come to terms with her son's horrific act, while Kevin's father (John C. Reilly) appears largely unbothered. As the film progresses, we learn of the difficult relationship between mother and son, which is strained by Kevin's increasingly violent and antisocial behavior, as well as his father's lenient parenting style. The film explores the complex psychological dynamic between mother and son, as well as the broader implications of raising a child in a violent society. Ultimately, We Need to Talk About Kevin serves to demonstrate the consequences of poor parenting, violence, and the human capacity for evil.

From Adrian Lyne, starring Tim Robbins, Elizabeth Peña, Danny Aiello, Matt Craven
Rated R

From Mike Binder, starring Adam Sandler, Don Cheadle, Jada Pinkett Smith, Liv Tyler
Rated R

From James Mangold, starring Winona Ryder, Angelina Jolie, Clea DuVall, Brittany Murphy
Rated R

From Paul Thomas Anderson, starring Adam Sandler, Emily Watson, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Jason Andrews
Rated R

From Ridley Scott, starring Nicolas Cage, Alison Lohman, Sam Rockwell, Bruce Altman
Rated PG-13

From Craig Gillespie, starring Ryan Gosling, Emily Mortimer, Paul Schneider, R.D. Reid
Rated PG-13

From Sofia Coppola, starring Kirsten Dunst, Josh Hartnett, James Woods, Kathleen Turner
Rated R

From Goran Dukic, starring Patrick Fugit, Shea Whigham, Tom Waits, Will Arnett
Rated R

From Jeremiah S. Chechik, starring Johnny Depp, Mary Stuart Masterson, Aidan Quinn, Julianne Moore
Rated PG